One more snow story!

Can you stand yet another snow story?

I have found that enduring an initial challenge is tough but not the true test of survival. The consistent repeat of breakdowns, obstacles, and complications tries one’s patience until we hear ourselves proclaim, “Aagh, I can’t take anymore.”

It was there that I found myself this past weekend. The power (heat, water and lights) was out by late Friday night. On Saturday morning, I stood on the front porch and could no longer see the driveway, not even an outline, just one large expanse of field.

I thought about a lot of things, but kept remembering a favorite line by Jimmy Stewart in the movie Shenandoah (1965): "If we don't try, we don't do. And if we don't do; then why are we on this Earth?" Things could be much worse; things are much worse for thousands of people. What’s a little snow?

The tractor started, thank you, thank you! Paths were created around the yard for the dogs and a cleared walk from the woodshed to the house. I knew it would be days before I could get even the Subaru out, but breaking a path now would help later. I made it all the way to the Reva Road, but barely made it back home.

Time to set up the campsite indoors.

Flashlight, candles, good book, water in the bathtub, fire started and wood on the back porch: check, check and check.

The den would be perfect, if I could somehow keep the heat in and the cold air from the rest of the house out. We once had a door on that room and, believe me, replacing it has now become a top priority.

In the meantime hanging a blanket affixed with thumbtacks over the opening was just the ticket. The sofa was moved to a spot directly in front of the fireplace and life was good. OK, not so good, but certainly tolerable.

Oh, sure, I speculated about those who lived like this all the time and was grateful for Mr. Edison, and knowing my deprivation was only temporary.

The greater interest for me was the lack of communication with the rest of the world. No phones, TV, newspaper, Internet or visitors, now this was an idea worthy of contemplation. How many major events went unobserved, much less engaged in, at least not in a timely manner, by the uninformed rural masses?

Culpeper did not have its own newspaper until 1827; news was conveyed most often by word of mouth by travelers stopping at a local tavern. And, what if you did not get off the farm and into town for a month or more? One was simply occupied by the immediate concerns of family and daily life.

It makes one wonder just who supported such actions as the American Revolution or the American Civil War.




My challenges are not over, but it was time well endured.

Until next time, be well.