Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Snow Day


We had a bit of a winter storm here in Central Oregon.  Last night it blowed and snowed and blowed and snowed.  Today it snowed and rained.  Fortunately the kids, with school cancelled, got outside before the rain began.

This was our first significant snow of the year.  And our first time pulling out the winter gear.  Turns out Middle has grown quite a bit.  She had to borrow Mama's snow pants and boots.  We managed to find three sets of gloves and three sets of appropriate winter garb.  Mama, without waterproof clothing, watched contentedly through the window.

As always comes the reminder that we need gutters and better boot storage and slippers.  I am forever stepping in little puddles spread throughout the house.  Between the dogs and humans our floor is a veritable pond.

The boy, at fifteen, is the perfect age for shoveling the drive.  He shoveled for us after playtime.  It was so nice to have that extra set of helping hands.  It's also a poignant reminder of how little time we have left with him.  Two more winters and he'll be off on his own adventures.  It's truly hard to believe.

This afternoon Little and the Boy went off to friend's houses.  This left Middle and I to our own devices.  We spent the better part of the afternoon with me reading and her picking up her room.  We're in the second of the Hunger Games series and it's going by quickly.

I was initially hesitant to read this second book.  I'd read some reviews and heard from other parents that it might be too racy for a pre-teen.  Nonsense.  There is hand-holding and kissing.  There are two people sharing a bed (but clothed and no hint of sexual contact).  And there are rumors of pregnancy.

I am sorry but my child is in public school.  All this she knows and more.  And I'm glad for it.  I have no interest in keeping my children in the dark regarding these matters.  I'd very much like for them to make responsible, intelligent and informed decisions when it comes to their bodies and their lives.  And this means talking about sex and the responsibility that comes with it.

Any parent who let's their child leave the house is naive to think their peer group isn't talking about sex.  And this book is tame compared to all that our children are exposed to.  I mean, really, look at the ads on tv.  Okay -- off my soapbox.

As I said we are nearly done with the second book.  The third is on reserve at the library.  It's been a while since we've read together.  Reading together is a habit I really enjoy and fully intend to keep up even after this series is complete.  Hmm -- what to read next.  What to read ... 

I've also been doing some reading on my own.  Yesterday, in a complete and total bought of self-indulgence, I curled up and read ALL DAY LONG.  Yup.  All day.  And in that day I started and finished Ann Patchett's "State of Wonder."  It was quite good.  Well worth reading.

Now dinner is in the oven -- roast chicken with potatoes, carrots, celery, parsnip and rutabaga.  It smells WONDERFUL and is the perfect homey meal for a cold wet day.  For the remainder of the evening I'm planning to eat and knit and drink a glass of wine.  We'll gather the family for Jeopardy and I'll likely get beat (unless there are a plethora of biology questions).

I love these nights when I don't have to work and my family is gathered close.

The roads are likely to be a mess tonight.  We'll see if another snow day is in store for tomorrow.

xo.



4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I loved the Hunger Games series and think that in the next year or two, I'll read it again with my daughter. I teach 8th grade and it is required summer reading for our students before they get to us in the fall, and the discussions that we have, surrounding that book are very deep and very meaningful and the hand-holding and kissing aren't even a blip on their radar. There are so many, more meaningful things to pull from those books! Glad to hear you are reading it! Waiting for a snow day, here. Supposed to be coming in this weekend, but we'll see. The percentages for snow keep going down and my kids hopes for a snowman making weekend are dwindling!
http://amysreallife.wordpress.com

Amy said...

Sorry, didn't mean to make that anonymous!

Shalet said...

Ha -- that's okay Amy! I just got a notice that the third book is waiting for us at the library. We finished the second last night. Now all I need to do is venture out into the wet mush that used to be snow. I'm not motivated to do much of anything today.

:o)

Honorary Indian said...

I'm long overdue in blogging...and long overdue in catching up on my favorite blogs. As always, yours is authentic, inspiring, and funny. :) Hope to visit you more this year...