Why Can't I Still Get Snow Days?

While the threat of heavy snow sends panicked Ozarks residents to clear out supermarket shelves, I tend to think back on memories of big snow storms when I was growing up in Pennsylvania.

My dad was a teacher in our school district, so if there was a snow day, my dad, brother and I would all have the day off together. And since my grandparents lived a little way out in the country, Dad would have us get all bundled up and take us over to sled down the big hills and Gram & Pap's house.

Now, Gram & Pap may have had amazing hills at their place, but they also had giant evergreen trees. On one particular snow day, my brother and I were having the time of our lives. I'd sled down and as I was climbing back up the hill, Danny would sled down and so on.

This went on for quite a while, but as I approached the top of the hill for my next turn on the sled, I turned to watch Danny as he went flying down the hill. He picked up speed as he neared the bottom of the course, but at the last second the sled favored one side and took him over a bluff - straight into the heart of an evergreen tree.

As I watched my brother disappear into the branches of the enormous tree, my first reaction - like any good sister - was to break down into hysterical laughter. You'd think I'd be concerned for my little brother's safety, right? Well, once he finally emerged from the depths of the tree, I knew everything was going to be alright. Unfortunately Danny's flight of the evergreen put a damper on the day and signaled the end of our sledding adventure. Oh well...plenty more snow days where that came from!