December 2004 The Megaphone Page 6
by Louise (Mountcastle) Romine
Mother
used to make "Snow Ice Cream." But we had to wait until the second
snow for our ice cream because she said the first snow cleaned the soot, dirt
and germs out of the air. I remember studying the snow and digging through it to
see if there was any black soot or dirt mixed in with it. Maybe a time or two I
did find the soot or dirt, and that made a believer outta me. There was always
soot on top of each snow that came from the chimneys.
We little ones could hardly wait for the 2nd snow and to hear the most
welcomed words, "Who's ready to get some snow to make ice cream?" All
giddy, we hurriedly put on coats, hats and mittens...and mother handed each of
us a big spoon and one large pan and out the door we went heading for a nice big
snow drift. Mother's orders were to brush away the top and dip into the middle
of the snow bank for the "best" snow and to be ever so careful
not to go to deep because we would get into the grass and dirt. That happened a
few times, ruining what snow we had already confiscated and we had to start over
with a new snow bank.
M-m-m-m-m...we watched as mother stirred in milk, sugar, and vanilla, getting it
all ready to satisfy our young taste buds with the "best winter treat"
in the whole wide world. This took place often during the winter
months. Sometimes we had to hunt for a snow drift because the snow would stay on
for months at a time. We didn't play in the snow drifts like other kids, because
we didn't want to ruin the snow.
The snow that was not deep enough to gather snow for ice cream was used to play
in. We would make two forts and lots of snowballs and then choose up sides
to have a snowball fight. Other shallow spots of snow were used to make
"Snow Angels." We lay down in the snow and like doing jumping jacks
only lying in the snow, we swished our arms and legs up and down several times
and then very carefully got up making an effort not to step in the un-swished
snow...like we were in a contest, waiting for the judge to say "and the
winner issssss..." whoever made the best Angel of course!
I remember wondering if it were true that it is warmer inside snow banks or
being covered up with snow. Never did try it, but paid the utmost attention to
whomever had a story to tell about such things as this. And then, I wondered
some more...having to take their word for it. I still find it very interesting.
One year while living in
Once there was a girl who told us that she could walk on the thin ice under the
bridge, and we wanted her to show us. She wouldn't do it, but swore she could
and had done it before. She dared Jean to try it, calling her a chicken if
she didn't. At first Jean didn't believe her but somehow that girl either
had Jean convinced or else she was not one to be called "chicken,"
sooo, not listening to my pleas "Don't do it," she headed for that
thin ice under the bridge. Well, Jean didn't get very far before she fell in.
When that happened, the girl ran off.
A family who lived in the house next to the canal had a bad reputation, and
mother would not allow any of us to play with them. Never knew much about the
parents, but the kids did some pretty dumb things. One day one of the youngest
boys got inside a "gunny sack" and lay in the road inside that bag and
a car came and rode over him. It almost killed him.
Well, Jean and I were screaming so loud our screams reached the ears of
one of the older boys inside that house. One, whose name was Morey Harrin jumped
on his bike and rode down onto the frozen canal. Why I didn't stay around to see
if Jean would live through this tragedy, I don't know....probably I didn't
want to watch her die. I ran home and told Mother. As scared as she was,
it's a wonder she didn't pass out. She took off running down
North Washington Street
to save Jean.
Well, here came Morey peddling Jean home on his bicycle. What a sight for sore
eyes! After mother got her all warm and dry, she gave Jean the spanking of her
life. Jean wasn't hasty to take on a dare from then on...and Mother? She
was so grateful; she never had a bad thing to say about the Harrins anymore.
To
this day, if Mother were still living, Morey would be one of her Winter
Memories!
Louise (Mountcastle) Romine '56
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