MY NEW MAN!

I've not been on the hunt for a new one of late, (man that is!) but thanks to the enthusiasm and spirit of El (my daughter!)...i was encouraged, with some not too gentle encouragement into putting on my waterproof togs, my ol' gardening boots and my genuinely Peruvian bonnet in order to make me a new sturdy man...I am of course referring to the one made of snow who sits somewhat wonkily, lilting just a tad from the heat of the day- as opposed to the sub zero temperatures of yesterday! Unless you are reading this from afar, very afar, you will understand the ecstasy and agony that we all seemed to enjoy or suffer these past 48 hours because of a full on fall of pukka snowflakes which rarely land and settle since the onslaught of 'global warming' effects. Yet for a while at least, our streets, cars and houses gave us the brightest eyeful many of us have experienced in many months. Our children were allowed out, clad in their wellies and warmest coats, council recycling boxes and their lids making temporary sledges, reminiscent of our childhoods seemingly some decades back. For once the roads were eerily still, no buses, no trains and oddly, very oddly little urban noise. For the shops that opened there were few, other than those selling outdoor wear, soup or DVD's that were actually busy yet there seemed no doubt that despite the lack of tills ringing there was an out of normal positive energy that brought smiles and open faces to the fore... Being English and unused to temperatures or conditions that justify waterproofs, thermals or winter tyres for our vehicles being part of our routine stock we were brought to a standstill.. Breakfast tv bringing instant news to thousands of youngsters waiting to hear that their Head Teachers had publicly announced that school would be closed giving the kids a bonus holiday and the parents even more stress wondering how to reschedule their already over scheduled Monday. There can be few who would deny that from the warmth of our homes the blanket covered roofs and roads looked utterly magical. Our gardens came alive as the grey and damp conditions of our bleak back yards and empty flower beds were plumped up in white, fluffy and glistening flakes.
It has been years since I've made a snowman and I have to admit, the thought of going out into the garden wasn't initially attractive yet once i'd put on my waterproof gloves (kitchen marigolds came in handy!!) ...and wrapped myself up appropriately the joy of being out of doors and having some fun...good clean and wholesome fun was indeed totally uplifting. Our snowman didn't actually get a hat or a pipe. No carrot for a nose and no shiny buttons but he looked affable, substantial and not entirely unlike the fella i have indoors... who incidentally looks as if he might just keel over too with the weight of this long and otherwise dreary winter.