It seems like ancient history now, but fifty-six years ago when we moved here from Springfield, Ohio. As the movers were bringing our possessions into the house they stopped to ask me where they should put the Flexible Flyer sled and the two sets of skis. They laughed and advised me to put them in the crawl space or attic. They assured me we would not be needing these items here in Louisville. They went on to talk about the scarcity of snow in this part of the country! While the six kids were growing up we did, in fact, have little use for our skis and sleds. It was not that we didn't have any snow, it was just that we didn't have enough to warrent waxing the skis and dragging out the Flexible Flyer.
Doc worked from three in the afternoon until eleven or twelve at night so he stayed up late and slept late in the morning. I used to kid him about the fact that he never got to see the snows we had because they usually just covered the grass, not the streets and usually melted by nine or ten in the morning. Gone by the time he awakened.
During the first year that we lived here, I sent the kids out to get the bus to go to St. Pius to school ( St. Martha had not been built yet) and Marie Chanbers called me up and said,"I see your kids out waiting for the school bus. Didn't you know they don't go to school today?" "Why?" I asked.
"Because of the snow!" she said.
We had maybe,2/10 ths of an inch!! I was astounded. Everything shut down because of the few flakes of snow!
Now, I'm not saying it has been quite that bad for the last fifty years but things really changed big time this year! I* heard on the news that Louisville had had five inches over the normal amount for February and it is only the 14th. day of the month.
The city has really learned how to deal with snow . Now for a day or two in advance they spray the streets with brine and inform all city employees that are part of the snow crew to be prepared to work 12 hours on and 12 hours off. They have the city streets and highways covered 24 hours a day. I was awakened at 3:30 AM by the snow plow going up and down Mamaroneck Rd. By 8AM the street was covered again so they were back. I must say they have done a good job.
Nevertheless, it is rather hard to navigate the roads and side walks and approaches to buildings and places because of the icy patches that somehow or other escape the salt and brine. I, personally love the snow. I love how it cleans up the landscape. Everything looks so pristine, all the dirt and grime of the city is blanketed with its fluffy white cover of snow and it takes on new characteristics. It seems so peaceful and soft. I can remember as a young girl walking to church, before dawn, in the early morning after an overnight snow fall. You could listen to the silence and feel the feathery touch of the snow flakes on your eyelashes and the soft cushion of snow under your booted feet. I always felt safe under the comforting blanket of snow on the trees and shrubs.
We had to go to school, weather or not, there were no school buses and so we all walked. The recesses on the snowy days were fabulous. We made slides that we would line up and run and slide on.We played a game called fox and geese. Somewhat like duck, duck goose except we made a large circle in the snow with cross roads in it and the game of chase was great fun because you had to stay on the tracks. We were forbidden to throw snow balls on the playground so we saved that activity for after school play at home. We chose up teams and built snow forts and had snow ball fights, we had our home made slides there too. Those were the days, my friends!
Louisville has adapted to the snow pretty well this year. This winter does remind me of the winters in Ohio because the snow hasn't melted within 24 hours of falling. It has stayed put and more snow has fallen. I think this is the sixth snowfall we have had since the 1st of February. The railings of the deck have about 8 or 10 inches of snow piled up on them. I have tried to keep the bird feeder filled because of course the birds have nothing to eat. A large variety of birds have come to the feeder because the rural areas have so much snow that the birds come into the city to visit the backyard feeders. We've even had a hawk! I have a bird book and I record the visits of the unusual visitors. It's very entertaining for me.
Long will be remembered the Winter of 2010. ciao
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