Walking In a Winter Wonderland #39

Mobile, Al Tree lighting, 2012

          Last night was the Christmas tree lighting in downtown Mobile and my first time to attend.  As soon as I stepped out of the car it was evident I was in for a treat.  The happy sounds of children laughing and playing permeated the air and the background Christmas music from the singer on the bandstand made the perfect holiday setting.  To the north side of the park, in the glow of the gas lanterns I could see perfect snowflakes floating in the air.  Wait!  ‘Floating?  Snowflakes don’t float!’  Yet these beautiful little ice specimens rotated in a circular motion, as though some invisible force was playing a game called ‘Keep the Snowflakes off the Ground!’ 

Mobile, Al - Bienville Square 2012

           There were extra lights brought in for the sole purpose of lighting up the snow as it fell out of the ‘sky’.  I thought back to 2010 when Mobile County got its first snowfall in nearly thirty years.   The day before, our city proved faithful once again by calling every home (see my post ‘The City Calling’) to let us know school would be cancelled the next day due to the impending snow.  But it wasn't because they were afraid to drive in it, or didn't have the equipment; it was to give people the opportunity to enjoy it!  I remember many happy friends driving thirty miles to show their kids the snow – which never really accumulated.  I stayed home – fearing I would not reach my life goal, which is to never see snow again.  But seeing snow last night, well, I was excited!

                Like everyone else I, too, ran over to see it.  Not just to see snow, but I wanted to see fake snow!  I had never seen fake snow before, nor have I ever had the privilege of controlling the snow.  I liked that idea!   The temperature outside was just cool enough to enhance the atmosphere without that obnoxious cold blowing straight into your bones.   The ‘snow’ pirouetted in the air while children danced around the cold flakes and adults happily took pictures.   The music continued and in the center of the square, just below the band-stand, the Brandi Brown’s Ballet school presented several performances with ballerinas dressed in burgundy-red Santa dresses.   Next were a few food stands and a couple of other vendors.  I thought of several conversations I have had over the past couple of years with southerners who had never seen snow before and could not fathom why I never wanted to see it again.  When I would explain what life was like living in the Snowbelt, their faces would go from a dreamy nostalgia to wide-eyed shock.

                They held images of an idealistic life where everyone in the north needs no more winter clothing than cute, stylish (often high healed) boots, cardigan sweaters, scarves, and knit caps, and their evenings and weekends are spent happily frolicking in the snow - that is only about four inches deep - making snow angels and snowmen.   Then they go inside and drink hot cocoa, cappuccino, or Brandy by the fireplace while big, white, fluffy snowflakes gently fall outside the windows and the surrounding landscape, like a framed portrait, dons a cotton-like blanket that drapes off of rooftops and trees, with a finishing touch of icicles.  Oh!  And it often culminates in a romantic lovemaking session between lovers of every race, color and creed!  Now, I don’t want to wreck their sweet image but I wasn't going to lie to them when they asked why I never wanted to see snow again. 

Winter in Syracuse!   Yuk!

                 A cold house in Alabama is no different than a cold house in New York.  But sitting in a freezing house with chilling drafts coming through the windows, sometimes the memories come in, unsolicited, as though parading across the room begging for my recollection; those things that northerners take for granted and know no different.   Things like realizing that my pants from the knees down are no longer wet for five months out of the year from walking in the snow, or the stomping sounds that each person makes when they come into the house and stomp the snow off their shoes.  I could always identify who was coming through the door by the sound of their stomps regardless of where I was in the house.  And then there was the snow that melted on the floor near the front door and throughout the house that fell off our pants as we walked, and we’d step in the water in sock feet, then either changing  or wearing wet socks for the next couple of hours.  There is the layering of clothes; sweaters, coats, socks, and boots, just to go outside, which make just leaving the house a chore.   And shoveling our way up and down the sidewalk when leaving or returning home, and the white bumps that line the streets – one of which was our own car - and rotating our cars on odd/even days to accommodate snowplows were all more work just to get through the day.  Then there was the driving and not being able to see beyond my own hand, hoping that the car lights I was following didn't end up driving off a bridge because often, when one car goes off the road, ten or twenty more follow.   And on the icy roads, inevitably, there is always some idiot who thinks they are immune to the laws of physics until they spin out, hitting every car in their path. 

                Like most people from the north (though I wasn't native to the north), when I contemplated moving, I thought I would miss the seasons.  I didn't think there was such thing as Christmas without snow.  But having experienced life in both climates, the trade-off is far worth the quality of life in return!  Coming and going is simple.  No shoveling leads to more time for the people and activities that I love.  Lower cost of heat and supplies means more money for 'real' life.  Sometimes, when I see a person acting ‘not-so-nice’ or complaining about Mobile (which is far and few between), my first thought is, “Well, have I got a place for you!”   I secretly wish they could be banished to the Snowbelt for at least one winter because I’m certain they would come screaming back in repentance, recognizing what a great life they have here and never misbehave again.   

North Pole in Mobile, Al

                 There are people who thrive on the winter life.  They snowmobile, ski, and even make a living from the winter months.  And every so often, I run into someone here who swears they too would thrive in that type of climate and to them I say, “Then do it!  Why put off living the life you would love?”     But there is something about fake snow.  It is beautiful, it sets the mood and it makes people happy.  It brings about the desired results, which is to see snowflakes flying through the air when the world is lit up for Christmas and holiday music is playing in the background.  And when we are done, we can turn it off.  Yup!  Just turn it off!  I like that!  Yes!  I have found my paradise!