We DID have to stay home.

A while back, I pondered "What if we had to stay home?" My thoughts elicited quite a few discussions, both virtually and personally. The recent snow storm that basically "closed" Dunwoody for a week reminded me once again how very much we are dependent upon mobility - across town/the country/the world via gas-hungry transportation, upwardly via financial American dream-weaving, and personally via I-hope-hope-hope-I-don't-slip-and-break-something.

Keeping power was a major blessing. Having unexpected time together as a family was, surprisingly, a treat. (Imagine that - my teens were quite pleasant and we enjoyed each other very much.)  And keeping work on schedule via the internet was pretty darned significant to the Knitternall family budget.

I want chickens. There. I said it again. (Hello, City Council?)

Farmers  feel a deep, abiding connection to land that is hard for city dwellers to  understand. My ancestors came to America from Ireland after their land let them down catastrophically, during the infamous potato famine of the late 1800's. Here, they couldn't afford to purchase new land, so sank their roots into shrimp fishing and subsistence vegetable gardens in small bungalows tucked into the outskirts of whatever city they could find work in.

I'm relocating my garden to the front yard ... maybe this year, it'll have enough sunlight to look this good.

That land memory calls to me constantly. It's why I want to dig in the dirt, raise food, have chickens, do things myself, and stay home.

I saw a photo in this Sunday's New York Times Magazine insert for some luxury property on the Hudson River "just 2 hours from New York City." That estate called to me, more because of its location on the river and beautiful grounds than for the rather ridiculous size of the house (8 bedrooms and 5 baths - yikes.)

We had to stay home last week.
What a rare gift.

North Georgia College sees its share of snow - yet another reason our son is glad he's heading "north" for college.

Top Ten Ways to Spend the First (of Many) Snow Days At Home.

1. Compel son to complete scholarship applications, pleas for recommendation letters, and list of medical forms required for some of the scholarships.
2. Make daughter wear ski bibs to play in snow (glare), snow boots ("they're clunky!"), snow hat ("it's too big!"), and multiple layers underneath ("it's too hot!") everything before heading out to sled.
3. Collect wet coats, gloves, hats, undergarments and dry; repeat five times during day while teens play in snow.
4. Simmer pot of Sandy's Chowder all day and eat when hungry.
5. Prep for next five weeks of Preschool Phonics.
6. Take dog out half a dozen times to "do his business," which he  keeps holding because there has to be a spot of summer natural area SOMEWHERE in the snow-covered landscape and he ISN'T GOING until he finds that nice, crunchy, aromatic magic spot.
7. Watch the guy who spun his BMW's tires so hard he caught his car on fire .... on the local news AND national news. "I couldn't figure out why they kept spinnin'." Maybe the ICE?
8. Work on an organic cotton sweater for next year's Holiday Markets.
9. Compulsively wash small loads dishes and clothes because the power is bound to go off any moment now.
10. Make pancakes and bacon for supper because it's a SNOW DAY!

Snow in Atlanta and other oddness

I know everyone laughs at Southerners and the way we react to even a dusting of snow. Sure, we go overboard. But snow is so rare here that it's worthy of our undivided attention. We like to imagine we'll be housebound for DAYS, so we stock up on unnecessary foodstuffs. We act like an inch of snow on the ground is plenty of support for the sleds we optimistically purchase and keep stored in the basement for years on end. And we pile the fireplace full of logs, sit back and enjoy the unique pleasure that is snow in the South.

Check out our house! There's a sight we don't see every year. I like the pattern the snow makes on our front mat. Hmm . . . is there a knitting pattern here?

I made a batch of beignets for the guys this morning. A and his best friend are playing video games and will head out shortly to try the sled on the hill near the house (our neighborhood is very hilly - houses perch high above the street on one side and the ground slopes sharply down to a creek on the other). AG spent the night with her BF D and is reported to be happily freezing her tushy off.

The only worry on the horizon is Scout Sunday tomorrow at St. Luke's. A and his troop are supposed to participate in the service, covering everything from prayers and Scripture readings to a flag ceremony and overview of the year's accomplishments. But we're not sure yet if all this pretty snow will turn to ice overnight. I don't care where in the country you live. Ice isn't a good thing to drive on. I just talked to the parent coordinator and assured her we'd be there regardless - one of the many benefits of living just a few blocks from the church. My guy can take multiple roles in the service to help cover for boys who can't make it.

I'm finishing a prayer shawl and will switch to my Jaywalkers shortly. The first sock is almost to the heel part, so it's moving along very well. I really like the yarn - it has a nice feel to it and the striping is fun. It seems to express the Jaywalker pattern perfectly. I'm making the upper portion a bit longer to suit my longer legs.

Back to the snow. I'm going to enjoy every single moment of it because Southern snows are just too fleeting.