The Entrepeneur

My son desperately wants to make some money and he is scheming as to how to make it. I suggested that he help his mother shovel the foot of snow we awoke to find waiting in our yard and driveway today and/or with other things around the house; but he quickly balked at that idea. Those things are deemed "too hard". He would much rather make an easy buck.

This evening, he came in from playing outside in the snow (he had a snow day) and excitedly informed me that he had it. His next business idea. He is going to go door-to-door and sell snowman parts.

Digest that for a second.

I asked exactly what all the term "snowman parts" included. He said, "You know... sticks, carrots, coal..."

"So... things you can get for FREE in your yard and refrigerator?", I replied.

"Well, yeah, but..."

And then his friend interjected that Noah planned to charge $10 for a carrot nose.

"That's extortion!", I exclaimed.

"What?"

"Never mind. You are not selling snowman parts. And besides, I don't let you roam this neighborhood freely anyway and you can be certain I am not walking around with you to sell snowman parts."

He gave up on that idea and I thought the whole thing was put to rest.

Until about ten minutes ago, when the child that is supposed to be sleeping came tearing out of his room all wild-eyed and breathless and said, "Mommy! I've got it! I know how I'm going to make money!"

"Why aren't you asleep? Oh right... savvy, determined businessmen rarely sleep."

"I'm going to get the snow shovel and attach it to my Gator (PowerWheels) with bungee cords like a plow on front...."

[I started thinking that sounded like a good idea if we could really figure out how to attach the snow shovel to the front and make it work. But, I could have used that ingenuity twelve hours ago when I was shoveling a foot of snow out of my driveway.]

"... and then I will go door-to-door and ask if people have pets. If they do, then I will tell them, 'Well, I bet your pet is very sad he or she can't freely run and play in your yard with all the snow. I have a solution. I can plow a path around your yard for your pet.' "

I informed him that was a sweet thought, but the only people we knew with pets are two of our neighbors. His friend has a dog, but also two teenage siblings that help shovel so they don't need anyone to plow a spot for their dog. And the other neighbor pays the two teenagers to shovel her yard for her, so she wouldn't be in need of the services either.

Back to the drawing board.

I'll keep you posted as to his next business idea.

Snowflake

I see you snowflake

dancing in the breeze

playfully tumbling

outside my window

begging for someone

to come out and play.

I see you snowflake

calling my children

out to play

with the promise

of snow angels and forts

snowball fights and snowmen

and if they are lucky

a snow day.

I see you snowflake

taunting me

teasing me

reminding me to salt the walk

shovel the drive

play with the dog.

I see you little snowflake

at first glance

you are beautiful

but I am not impressed

Go back where you came from!

You are not welcome here!

Who Ticked Off Mother Nature?

Okay, Mother Nature, I get it. I live in the northeast- even though I did not CHOOSE to live here. So as much as I hate cold weather and snow, it comes with the location. Get over it. Fine. I'm over it. I am SOOOO over it!!

I do absolutely love having seasons here. I love the stunning colors you create in the autumn. I appreciate, perhaps more than I ever did when I lived in the south, the first signs of life in the spring. I am absolutely elated when the bulbs start peeking through the ground and the earth magically comes back to life seemingly overnight.

I realize you have given me a reprieve from a large amount of snow for the past few years. But, do you have to catch up for that all in one winter? Have I done something to offend you? Yes, the snow IS beautiful when it covers the otherwise, dull, lifeless landscape. But, it's cold. And it's wet. I don't like getting my pants legs and feet wet. I don't like tracking all that dirty moisture in the house. It's messy.

I had to make an unexpected trip to Texas at the end of December and I was excited to get a little break from it and enjoy some warmer weather. But, you sent it with me. The entire time I was there, they had record-breaking temperatures. It was COLD! When I left, it warmed back up.

Because of the lack of significant snow in the past few years, I tried to be tolerant of the December storm. I was happy to get the big event of the winter over with and out of the way. So, imagine my surprise when you decided to bring another one our way this past weekend.

Well, ok. We had a really good time sledding on Sunday. I'll give you that. But, COME ON! Another one? The forecast shows us getting another twelve to eighteen inches on Wednesday.

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned". What has happened, Lady? Have you been wronged? I am happy to atone for my transgressions, but you must let me know what I've done.

Or.. is it, that you are a child at heart? You thought I needed the glare off the snow to brighten the darkened days? You wanted to hurl a few snowballs playfully in my direction? Well, I can appreciate your wanting to play. I enjoy communing with you. But, as one of your dear children, I feel it necessary to be honest.

I think you are more beautiful in the spring. I enjoy your company much more in the summer and I like to quietly reflect with you in the autumn about the glorious year you are wrapping up. But, I am not a fan of winter games. I came out, I played and now I'm going back inside.

I'll see you in the spring. I'll be wearing my flip flops.

**note: all photos are my personal property- autumn photo- Smith's Woods Fall 08- Smithville, NJ; daffodil- my flower bed, spring 09; ladybug- Johnson's Farm, summer 09; first snow photo- my front yard, Dec 09; next two snow photos- Feb'10; sledding photo- North Hanover Twp Feb '10