“Snowmen fall from heaven… unassembled.” – Unknown
Here in my part of the world we’ve had snow this week with a half inch of ice on top of those six inches and then about two or three inches on top of that! In recent years we’ve had mild winters where we might get a little snow, but it never lasted long. Some of our deepest snows didn’t come until late in the winter, the last of February or even into March. That snow rarely lasted long since the warming sun would come out and send the snow melting.
But January snows can be different. They can close down churches and schools and businesses, especially when ice comes along with it. In our county, the schools stay closed even longer because of all the country roads with trees along them that shade the ice and snow and let it stay around long after the main roads are fine. Even if the schoolkids have to do that virtual learning discovered as possible during the COVID year, the school closure still leaves time for snow play.
No kids at my house to do that playing, but when the sun started warming up the snow yesterday enough to let it stick together, I indulged the kid inside me and built the little snowman you see with its ice hat and buttons but no nose. No carrot available, I guess.
Sculpting this guy made me remember playing in the snow a few years ago and doing a fancier job of snowman building. I fashioned a snowman (again without a nose, who knows why) and then made him a cute little dog companion. The bone I borrowed from Frankie was the telling touch. At least that helped the sculpture look more like a dog.
Then some time later, when I was writing The Song of Sourwood Mountain and wanted to introduce readers to Ada June, the memory of making that snow dog inspired Ada June’s first scene in the story. I let her make a snow dog as a way for readers to see that she had a dog that was very special to her. Here is the scene.
Ada June Baker liked the snow even if her hands and feet were near to froze. The sun had finally made it up over the hill to shine down through the pines. The snow, not much more than ankle deep, wouldn’t last long.
She shouldn’t have even bothered with the cast-off boots Aunt Dottie had found her. Ada June had to stuff them with rags so her feet wouldn’t slide out of them. Worse, when she slipped off a rock into a creek back a ways, they leaked. Now the rags squished with every step.
Some old socks worked for gloves, but they got wet too when she built a snow dog at the edge of the woods. Bo hiked his leg to add some color to the snow dog and then bit off its nose.
Ada June laughed out loud. She could do that when nobody was around to hear. Bo gave her what looked like a doggy shrug and his toothy grin.
“Don’t worry. You’re my only dog.” As she ruffled his ears, she wondered for the hundredth time why a dog’s paws didn’t freeze in the snow.
I loved writing from Ada June’s perspective, and I’ve heard from readers who claim her as a favorite character in the story. And it all started with a snow dog.
Have you ever made a snowman or a snow fort or a snow sculpture of any kind?
One more question. Do you like audio books?
If so, Audio Books is offering a special deal on the audio version of The Song of Sourwood Mountain. You can get your own copy for 60 percent off for the next few weeks. Here’s the link to the special offer. You can listen to a sample of the narration there too and enjoy an additional bonus of two other books if you take advantage of the special sale on The Song of Sourwood Mountain. The offer is good only for a limited time. So, don’t wait too long to check it out.
I discovered audio books a few years ago when I was on a trip, first by myself and later with my husband. We have listened to several books together. Now I also listen to audio books when I’m doing tasks around the house that require busy hands but leave my mind free to listen. I have heard other audio book lovers saying that they have to find more chores to do when they are anxious to find out what happens next in whichever story they might be listening to.
Thank you for considering this audio book deal. And for reading. I appreciate you all.
Comments 10
I needed the chuckle I got from the YELLOW snow dog! Your novels, blogs and posts never fail to brighten any day. Thank you for being that uplifting lady, Ann.
BTW I would love to be considered as a reader/reviewer of your newest book. TYIA for the chance!
Author
Sure, Sandi. I sent an email out to you last week. Did you get it? I will add your name to the list again. I appreciate your help getting the word out about my new books. Thank you so much.
I’m so glad you got that laugh from Ada June and her dog, Bo. Glad too that you think my stories are uplifting. That makes me happy.
Ada June was precious – despite her hardships, she found joy in being a kid.
She was resourceful and creative, too. She took me back decades to the time when it didn’t matter how wet and cold it was, for the sheer fun of being out in the snow. I remember a time when my siblings and I made a snow igloo. We worked at it for hours. And it was roomy enough for a little person to cozy in to play Eskimo. Years later, I took up cross country skiing which helped get through the everlasting months of the snow season. We don’t seem to have as much snow anymore. And those days are behind me. I would love to see a snow dog. I’ve enjoyed audio books, though not recently. I like large print best.
Author
That must have been fun, making that igloo, Mary Clare. I’m guessing you all had fun being the one to crawl inside. My kids never made anything but snow forts or snowmen or sometimes snow dogs. 🙂 I guess kids have so much fun in the snow they don’t think about how cold they are while adults aren’t having the same kind of fun when they are out in the snow.
I hadn’t thought about Ada June being resourceful, but I guess she was and ready to embrace joy as long as her dog, Bo, was with her. I’m so glad you enjoyed reading her story.
I remember a very deep snow many years ago when I was young. I don’t remember exactly how much snow we got, but we made (with the help of an aunt and her friends) a huge snowman that was over 6 feet tall. We also built 2 snow forts and had a memory-making snowball war. That might be the same year my grandpa boiled up the maple syrup and we poured it over the snow to make snow taffy. I guess kids are more tolerant of cold than older adults because I don’t remember ever being too cold to play in the snow. Nowadays I have to bundle up just to step outside long enough to feed the birds. I’m definitely a warm weather person!
I’ve tried audio books a few times, but I think I’m more of a visual reader. I never seem to follow the story when I’m listening rather than reading.
I loved reading all about Ada June. She’s one of those characters that I hope pops up in a future story. 🙂
Author
What great memories for you, Lavon. Sounds as if that was one great snow reading as building material. I always enjoy seeing the snowmen that our local paper sometimes features in the paper after a big snow.
I haven’t thought it was too awfully cold until today with the wind blowing. That wind makes such a difference in how the cold feels.
I’m glad you had fun reading about Ada June. And who knows? Maybe she has another story to tell someday.
We got about 4 inches of snow, which was enough to make 2 little snowmen. I’m hoping for more before Winter is over. I prefer Summer, but if it’s cold then it should snow.
I don’t listen to audio books. I wouldn’t find the time to listen to it.
Author
Audio books aren’t right for everyone, April, and maybe not for a busy mom like you. I hope you all had fun in the snow, and I’m pretty sure more will be showing up before the winter is over.
I’ve never seen snow! I’m a Native Floridian, and still live in Florida. I don’t do audiobooks, as I’ve discovered I either listen to the book or whatever else I was going to do while listening, but I can’t do both!
Author
Well, if you had visited Kentucky this week, you could have seen snow that has stuck around and stuck around, Trudy. I’m ready for it to melt away, but we are having really cold temps the next couple of days. Friday sounds hopeful for melting though.
Audio books aren’t for everyone. I have to pause the story sometimes while I’m busy or doing certain things.