I don’t have much time to write this before the natives get restless and someone needs….

(5 minutes later)…as I was saying, I am completely outnumbered.

Here is how it started…

I was working away on my laptop at the local coffee shop when I got the call that the local school’s were closing even earlier than the planned early weather influenced closing.  You see, a “wintry mix” had begun falling from the slate grey skies and turning everything it touched to ice-almost.  One could feel the “wintry mix” willing itself to turn things to ice, but it was frustrated.  It was barely cold enough you see.  One could listen closely and hear the rain saying “I will freeze you or evaporate trying!”  But I have to say, as the afternoon went on, it actually began to stick.

(5 minutes later after I resolve a food related situation)….Eventually it looked like this and covered all the roads…

The elusive and infamous North Carolina “Wintry Mix” accumulating on my back porch

So, next thing I know I am picking up pizza for 4 kids who are spending the night at my house.  I spend a minute or two on a fantasy of how I will feel sad, hearing the children playing in the house, and having no partner to share the fun with.  Yeah, but that didn’t last too long.  Because you know what I love a whole awful lot?  Being mom and taking care of kids at home.  I totally fricking love it.  Having 4 kids to look after on a Friday night is awesome.

I love saying yes.  We just walked in with pizza and now you want your favorite root beer and pink lemonade?  Sure I’ll go to the store.  Life is short, how many more sleepovers will you have…of course I will go.

When I get back I feel the house full of people and it is sleeting heavily and dreamily (if you love frozen precipitation).

more “wintry mix”

The kids are all playing and I realize it is time for a fire.  I tromp outside in my kaftan, gore-tex jacket and Sorel boots, with an axe, after handing my son the camera.  I looked too funny to pass it up and I felt so good about having kids in the house that I wanted to capture my smile.

Me…chop wood, carry wood.

After the wood was loaded into the house the girls decided that they wanted to grow icicles on string but we could find none.  You want string?  I’ll give you some string.  So I found an old piece of climbing rope, a prussik knot and cut it in half, pulled out the core and then abraded the sheath.  The girls hung string, and a paddle was involved, well…just take a look…

Nightfall on the string icicle collection

During this project the boys actually turn away from the computer VOLUNTARILY and begin playing Chess.  Then they move onto Scrabble but cannot locate the tiles.  Finally they settle onto Bananagrams.  That is when the girls announce that they are “adventure girls”..with one of these, “!” at the end.  This leads to a plan to stay outdoors with their strings.  They are out there on a blanket in the sleet looking at books and then they want the laptop to watch a movie.  I propose a tent is in order.

Tent!

After that was built they settled in after I gathered up sleeping bags, snacks and blankets…and a laptop so that they could watch “Ocean Girl”.

Finally they were all settled, boys and girls, food and fire.  I had a moment to sit and compose this quickly.  Of course I had to run around and take this pictures.  I also was able to sit and finally patch together some photos I had taken the last time a “wintry mix” came to town about one week ago.

I ran around at night, snapping pics.  It was the same as tonight.  Running around during a storm with a camera at night is one of those things I always dreamed of sharing with a partner.  But so far, it is something I have only ever done alone.  I definitely felt sad that evening.  This is the way it goes for me though.  I just feel lonesome, cry and enjoy it…eventually I can’t find the sadness and then it is me, my Nikon, and lots of great things to shoot.  Below are some of my favorites from that evening.

Townsend and Bertram signage with a foreground of snow at Carr Mill Mall

snow, night, lights

4 Umbrellas…

Fading Lines and Light

Franklin Street

Post Office Downtown Chapel Hill

Red Grape Street Lights

A full set of the photos you have seen here and ALL the rest from these two days are on my FLICKR.

So…the question that arises for me in between photography, cooking, taking care of kids and cleaning up after them?  Can I just do this forever?  Along with some healing work with clients…

How will I top the enjoyment off this chilly evening?  Keep the fire going and make some of these…

Gluten free doughnuts…who knew?