When cold blows in from
Canada, pushed up by warm wind from Texas, snow happens suddenly and
furiously. Only older siblings, big
enough to sink only to the knee and then leap into the snow face first, could
rejoice
For two small children,
enjoyment was peering out through icy panes and wishing. Mom…Mom…Mom…Can
we go outside, too? Mom? Mom? Mom relented only when Mom became unbearable.
Two and four years old,
Mary and Bill were wrapped, bundled, booted, and mitten-ed, then given
instructions: Stay on the porch. Both
nodded solemnly.
Mom
stood at the kitchen door, staring through the lacy ice crystals at five
children enjoying the snow. Then Bill launched
off the porch into deep white sea. Bill,
she sighed.
Stomping out the door, Mom
grabbed him by scruff of his coat and pulled him up. Then Mary whispered, “Mommy! Mommy!
Look! Fire in trees! Fire in snow!”
Fire in the trees? In the snow?
She beheld glorious cardinals perched in bare trees. Fiery cardinals with black masks. Brave cardinals in frigid air. Oh,my! So, so,....
 | |||||||||
| Fire in the Trees For those bloggers in the beginning of a long winter, this story is about the snow of 1958, which has been called the mini-ice age. This time was our first time on the farm in a very old house. This post was from December 8, 2014. Keep warm, enjoy the beauty as much as you are able, and Merry Christmas. | |
Cardinals were my mom's favorite bird. They were also our state bird where I grew up. They're very pretty. We don't see them often here, but when we do I think of my mama. :) Here to wish you a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteCardinals always flitted around our land and making Mom (and me) happy.
DeleteWhat a precious memory. The happiest of Christmases to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteMy brother Bill was one who rushed forward when he shouldn't.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you as well.
WE used to have more Cardinals here. Now, they are rare.
ReplyDeleteThat would be so sad. I lived up in Pike County, rural ground. Cardinals are firing up trees.
DeleteWhat a marvelously SWEET story. Out of the mouths of children. The Cardinal is the State bird of NC and yes we love to see that bird in contrast, beautiful. Glad you reposted I had not read the story nor saw the pictures. NICE>
ReplyDeleteFrom a rainy cool Florida (but we will not see snow for real, that is for sure.....
Sherry & jack smiling..
Hope your Florida trip is going well.
DeleteCardinals are one of the most beautiful birds.
they do look like fire and here in FL they look like fires in our trees without snow.. fond memories, i have a few from KY
ReplyDeleteI imagine they are brilliant red, snow or no snow.
DeleteThose birds would be amazing to see.
ReplyDeleteOh, they are.
DeleteSnow is our gift to you -- enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI'll take the snow, at least a few handfuls.
DeleteDear Susan, this story so reminded me of a lovely scene in the book "A Redbird Christmas" by Fannie Flagg. I listen to it on audio cassette ever Advent season. Peace.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of that one. I love her. Fried Green Tomatoes is a favorite book and movie.
DeleteI remember this and still chuckle when Bill takes that leap off the porch.
ReplyDeleteBill was a rowdy boy, and he grew up to be a rowdy man. A cowboy, he lived in Texas all his adult life. Ornery.
DeleteThe cardinals here are frequent visitors to the bird feeders, but they flee so quickly, they're very shy.
ReplyDeleteThey are. I have tried to take photos and they skitter out of there.
DeleteI had the cardinal today, not so much the snow (and thankful I am...)
ReplyDeleteSnow. Sorry about that, I would take of it for you.
DeleteRight now, the only time we see cardinals is right after sunset. I don't know why that is, but we have a male that comes to our feeder every evening as it is getting dark. His arrival time changes depending on if it is clear or cloudy. They are such beautiful birds. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThey are impressive.
DeleteCardinal, evergreens and snow. Now that's winter!
ReplyDelete