New Year’s Eve, 2018
The kids and I went out early today to get chores done around the homestead because brutal winds were due to arrive this afternoon bringing in light snow and frigid temps. When we walked out of the house the wind was light, and the temperatures were hovering around 30 degrees Fahrenheit – nice winter weather. We cleaned the chicken coop, filled up food feeders, checked the water bucket, collected eggs, and cleaned up dog (well, you know). As we completed our chores in record time, the dogs roughhoused around the yard – running, jumping, tackling each other, and doing it all over again. I looked at the kids and said,
“We should probably bring the dogs on a walk, because once the cold air moves in, we won’t be able to bring them out.”
Our indoor dogs’ feet can’t handle sub-zero temperatures, and tomorrow night our temperature will dip to -10 degrees. After minutes of walking, they would start picking up one foot, and then the other – trying to lick away the sting of the cold on their foot pads.
“Mom, can we go ice skating on the lake while the dogs run?” my daughter pleaded.
“Can we?” my son added.
“You two can go skating, and Dad and I will walk with the dogs by the cattails and look for lures and bobbers.”
So, that settled it.
The whole family (dogs included) piled into the car and drove down the street to the lake.
Just as we stepped onto the lake, the wind picked up. The boys headed off on their walk with the dogs, and my daughter and I slipped into our hockey skates and began skating down the lake. The first thing that we noticed was that the ice was no longer black. Forty eight hours of snow and rain had made the ice opaque, so we could no longer see into the inky depths of the lake.
The next thing we noticed was how strong the wind had become.
Light snow started streaming across the glossy ice, and the wind started to push us across the lake.
“Mom, the wind wants us to go somewhere, and we need to listen to it!” my daughter yelled in front of me.
I saw her gliding down the ice, arms spread wide, not having to exert any effort to move.
“Come on, Mom, skate faster, we need to follow the wind.” she continued.
We both took off skating as fast as we could. With the wind pushing angrily at our back, we skated across the lake at what I’m sure was our record speed.
My daughter and I started laughing with the thrill of it all.
“It’s magical – it’s all magical” she yelled amidst our laughter.
It felt that way.
What a way to usher out the old year and bring in the new year.
For those of you that are wondering about our return skate back up the lake, yes, it was brutal. But, my daughter gave me an imaginary magic disc that gave us the power to withstand the worst winter weather – polar bear power. So, our skate against the wind wasn’t as bad as it could have been.
I love the magic that children bring to our lives.
I hope that 2019 brings you peace, love, joy, and happiness, I hope that you get a chance to slow down and enjoy the simple things, I hope that you get outside and get into nature every chance you get, and I hope that you get to experience a little bit of your own magic here and there.
Happy New Year to you, and thank YOU so very much for taking the time to sit and read this little story! I hope it brought a smile to your face.
Warmly,
Erin
What a delightful way to experience the New Year (through the eyes of a wonderful child)! Happy New Year!
It sure was. Thanks so much for your comment, and Happy New Year to you!
Happy New Year, Erin! I can’t imagine how great it would be to have a whole lake to skate on. Wow.
It’s pretty special! We are always surprised at how few people use the lake, but I guess we are lucky too.
Wishing you a Happy New Year too, Martha!
I miss the cold and snow so much1 Not really, I so enjoy all your stories and Happy New Year to the whole family
There are times that I want to drive right out of our coldness during the winter, and I’ve done it a few times that last couple of years. But, there are times that I love it too – like skating on the open lake with my daughter.
Thank you for your comment, and thank you so very much for your kind words. Happy New Year to you!
Happy new yeeeeear!!
What a perfect way to finish off 2018. I really hope 2019 will be similarly stuffed with magic for you and your family. Plus, can you please lend me that polar bear power!? I think I need it when we go out snowshoeing and skiing!!
My daughter wanted you to know that her magic runs wherever she wants it to go, and she sent it to you. So, now you should get a lot of snowshoeing and skiing in this year.
Happy New Year to youuuu, Josy!!!
Yaaaay! Tell her I think it worked. I stayed on the slopes for hours today! 😉
She had a huge smile, and she said “I guess my powers do work!” You made her day. 😉
Magical!
It was! Thanks for your comment. 🙂
I love that polar bear power!! I’ve never skated on a river or lake before we don’t get cold enough weather over here. Happy New Year!
My daughter is a little dreamer – I love it! And, I hope that you do get to skate on a lake or river some day. It’s pretty great to step out onto the surface of a frozen lake after swimming in the same water just months before. Thanks for your comment, Rachel!
Looks so magical!
Thanks, Orla! It was kind of magical. 🙂
I sure am smiling, Erin! What a joyful piece. And how wonderful that your kids have such a zest for adventure and the magic of nature. Happy, happy 2019!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this little story, Rebecca! Yes, the kids bring a lot of adventure and magic to our lives – so much fun. Thank you so much for your kind words, and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!
So wonderful to listen to what the wind is telling you!
We can learn a lot from the little ones! Happy New Year, Jennifer, and Happy New Year!
Lovely shots on snow, really magical…..very Happy New Year to you…:)
Anindya, thank you so much for your kind comment. Our day on the ice was magical, and something I won’t forget.
Wishing you a very Happy New Year as well! Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, you have a wonderful way with words. This sounds magical. Even before I lived with Fibromyalgia, I was like Bambi on Ice. I used to watch the Mighty Ducks and later on Ice Princess and dream I could skate like Jayne Torvill, sadly I grew to realise my limitations. Growing up in the UK Ice Skating was not very accessible. Happy New Year to you and your wonderful family I hope your daughter’s imagination continues to grow and flourish.
Hi Susan, thanks so much for your wonderful comment! I’m so sorry you’ve never had the chance to skate, but I hope you’ve felt some type of magic in other ways. There’s always something out there that makes us laugh, right?
Wishing you a very Happy New Year, Susan!