A few random thoughts

from the small town Midwest

From the Facebook page of Dotzenrod Carriage

My mind is in freefall, which is actually a very good thing. The reason for that freefall is that today concludes the end of the fall semester at the University of Wyoming. I teach there full time, now fully remote, long story, who cares. The point is that the intense brain cramp squeezing my head and heart is now relaxing. Sure, final coursework remains to grade, final grades to submit. But then, I’ll catch up on pleasure reading, leisure music playing, and enjoying life in this small Midwestern town I’ve called home since 2022.

Yesterday was productive and fun. We enjoyed holiday events around town, starting with the Winnesheik County Historical Society. This stop included a carriage ride courtesy of a local man with his team of two charming horses. (Why do I never bring my phone…?)

We enjoyed some tasty treats there and time bantering with characters dressed as figures from a Dickens novel. (Unforuntately, we missed the evening performance by Ray Carver, portraying Dickens, himself.)

Next, we strolled two blocks away, to the truly stunning Porter House Museum. Please click—you have to see to believe. More tasty treats, and some time enjoying seasonal music played by some of the many talented musicians from the area.

The recent snowfall, our our back door. Time to shovel the patio…

But like all good things, this one had a deadline. We had just cleared out the last of the driveway snow from the storm of last week. Now, another was on its way. A winter storm warning had been issued, by the National Weather Service. We’d already bought a new style of snow removal tool: the “snow pusher.” I’m especially in tune to the effectiveness of such tools, because we have a dog, a 9-pound chihuahua with 4-inch legs. So, we shovel the grass, creating a snow corral. And a diagonal trail across the driveway toward the mailbox, so she’ll have options.

JessiBelle

Also yesterday, the locally bought fresh Christmas tree went up. Today we’ll hang lights, ornaments, and various cluttery decorations.

Later, we might maybe get out of the driveway, if we can push in the snow strategically placed there by the snow plow. But why bother?

You know how during storms the TV stations show snow emergency and closure information on the bottom of the screen? Last night, the one for Manchester, Iowa, said that the snow emergency would end when the snow stopped falling and the streets cleared. I really like the way those people think.

I’m reminded that last year’s paper calendar was so full we had to buy a second one, with bigger boxes. Not because of all the social events, but because of the medical appointments for our treatments, surgeries, CT scans, and even a dreaded MRI. For most of these, we had to travel out of town, 50-plus miles each way, on two-lane roads, through beautiful wintery scenery. This year we’re ok with skipping the scenery, if it means fewer medical interactions. We’re just happy to be statistically ahead of the game.

Wishing you the loveliest of winter seasons, with the pleasantest of pleasant surprises greeting you each and every day.