Jacket Weather

Quote of the Day: Snowball by Shel Silverstein

I made myself a snowball

As perfect as could be.

I thought I'd keep it as a pet

and let it sleep with me.

I made it some pajamas

And a pillow for its head.

Then last night it ran away,

But first - it wet the bed.

Here's a picture of our first snowfall of the season.  It was October.  We were excited.  It was pretty, and it was sticky enough for snowballs and snowmen, and it was fun.  Now, the driveway is packed with ice, as are the intersections.  A big lump has formed under my mailbox, requiring me and the mail carrier to lean down to get the mail in and out of it. 

Plus, it's darn cold!

Even with temps well below zero and a wind-chill advisory, and warnings of frost bite, this new driver refuses to wear a warm coat. (This picture was taken last year when he got his license.  I must have threatened him with refusal to pay for the license if he didn't wear a coat.)

Last year he lettered in football, so I got him a Letterman's jacket for his birthday, thinking, ah-ha, NOW he'll wear a warm jacket when it's cold up here in Minnesota. 

Nope.

Somehow, the wearing of the jacket has become a power struggle.  It started young.  Yes, he's a hot kid.  As a baby he wouldn't wear the hot jammies with the feet (cute as they are).  He kicked off all of his covers and ran around in t-shirts in the middle of winter.  He'd cry if I tried to get him to put on a long-sleeved shirt.  When he was in the 6th grade, he wouldn't wear his warm coat, so I brought it along in the van.  "Love and Logic" parenting guide says that if they're cold, they'll put on the jacket.  He refused to even carry it with him.  So, I threw it out the door at him when he got out of the van.  He picked it up and threw it back in. I tossed it out.  Finally, he picked it up, gave me a dirty look, and carried it into the school.  When I picked him up later that day, after a swim practice, he tossed it at me and said, "I never put it on."

I determined that he's channeling Bud Grant, former coach of the Minnesota Vikings.  Back in his day, the Vikes played outdoors.  He never wore a coat, often was in short-sleeves, had his players practice outdoors in any kind of weather, and didn't allow heaters on the sidelines.  Tough guy.

All we see is white snow, ice, and the occassional brown sand/salt mixture.  I'm longing for color and warmth.  How about you?  Here's a visual to give you warm thoughts.

After our spring thaw and flooding season, we'll have days like this.  Picture yourself there, now, cool glass of iced tea or lemonade, chatting with your good friend, watching the days melt away.

To get myself even more in the summer spirit, I'm working on a story today about my friend Georgia and her writer's hideaway on the banks of the Crow Wing River.

Journaling Prompt:  Where is your creative corner?  Do you have a warm summer memory to get you through cold, winter days?  Do you have any ridiculous power struggles?

Whatif

Quote of the Day:  A Poem by Shel Silverstein

          Watif

Last night, while I lay thinking here,

Some Whatifs crawled inside my ear

And pranced and partied all night long

And sang their same old Whatif song:

Whatif I'm dumb in school?

Whatif they've closed the swimming pool?

Whatif I get beat up?

Whatif there's poison in my cup?

Whatif I start to cry?

Whatif I get sick and die?

Whatif I flunk that test?

Whatif green hair grows on my chest?

Whatif nobody likes me?

Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?

Whatif I don't grow taller?

Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won't bite?

Whatif the wind tears up my kite?

Whatif they start a war?

Whatif my parents get divorced?

Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don't grown in straight?

Whatif I tear my pants?

Whatif I never learn to dance?

Everything seems swell, and then

The nighttime Whatifs strike again!

These Whatifs are worry Whatifs.  What are your main Whatifs?  Does it help to worry about them?  This week, The Journaling Woman wrote about frogs and worry.  Something about leaving the worry to the frogs, which makes me smile, and feel less worried.

Over at Mystery Writing is Murder, the guest blogger reminded us that using Whatifs in our writing is a good plot strategy.  I was working with some Fourth Graders this week and talked to them about Whatifs in their stories. 

Suppose you and your buddy are going camping.  You get set up and realize that you've forgotten your matches.  What are you going to do?  That's a problem, but Whatif a big storm blows in and collapses your tent? 

"Ya," one said, "and it traps you inside." 

Um-hmm. 

"And," another chimed in, "You hear a bear outside scratching around because he smells the food that is also trapped inside the tent with you." 

Now, you've got it!

I can't wait to read that story!  Even if they all write from that same brainstorming session, they will all come up with different stories. 

Whatifs are worrisome in real life, but good in story plotting.  Does that mean that the things that make us worry create interesting stories?

Top Reasons Why Visiting a Fourth Grade Class is Great:

1.  They still love having parents show up, especially for mashed potato and turkey gravy day.

2.  They are a caring bunch.  I suspect it's hard for them to write in a mean character.

3.  They seem to still like school and have a love of learning.

4.  When I read my Highlights contest entry to them, they applauded and told me I should be a winner.

5.  When I told them that I had about 250 pages in a novel written, but wasn't done yet, one boy said, "I'd read 600 pages!"  (melt my heart)

6.  And, I got my best "date" offer so far - "Oh, I wish you could stay for recess."  (Aww.)

Here's a couple of Fourth Graders who look like they're ready for a cold winter.  That, or they're auditioning for the sequel to Fargo.

Journaling Prompt:  Make a list of your Whatifs - then throw them away!  Or, describe a time when kids brought out the best in you.