Greg Loves Sarah

It can be said that “anticipation” itself is one of the best parts of receiving, giving, experiencing, or whatever. But when it comes to being a girl from South Louisiana, even Wikipedia knows the likelihood of a white Christmas down here. They say, “Snow is not very common near the Gulf of Mexico, although those in the northern parts of the state can expect one or two dustings of snow per year.” Think they know EVERYTHING.

I also read that “Longing for a snow-white Christmas may be keener in subtropical Louisiana than in any other state in the union.” [Editor, Christmas Stories from Louisiana] So….we go to Hobby Lobby and buy little plastic snow flakes for decoration. And at the local ice-skating rink, they even section off one end of the rink and put a pile of snow there for the children to play in. I wonder where they get the snow from. Hawaii?

The National Climactic Data Center has a document out that tells of the likelihood of a white Christmas around the country. To see our lovely state in that list is quite disturbing. They list 6 cities in LA: Baton Rouge, Lafayette [that’d be us], Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans, and Shreveport. All show 0% chance – except for Monroe. Monroe has a 4% chance – probably snowed there on 12/25/1856 and that threw off the calculations.

…Last winter, I created a Louisiana “snow” man. Even kept him in our freezer for his preservation. Alas, I must admit, he didn’t survive the year. And he WAS the last of his kind. *sigh* I think Mom was the one who “set him free” which led to his demise.

AND, while we are on the subject of cold weather, I’d like to address another issue. Why do department stores, Wal-Mart, Old Navy, Eddie Bauer, etc. endeavor to sell random fuzzy, heavy, and plush sweaters this time of year in Louisiana? At times the only people they would benefit are those who occasionally have to walk into a commercial freezer! Up North, these items of winter finery are necessities. Here – they are “drawer-fillers” (with the occasional exception). I think the clothing industry is taking advantage of our hopes for a picture-perfect winter. Maybe they are attempting to subconsciously convince us that “If you buy it, it will snow.” Doesn’t work that way though. But hey – positive side is that, HERE, a good heavy sweater will last you for YEARS!

I will encourage Louisianan children, who have yet to see snow in their beloved state, with the following photographic evidence that snow IS possible here. This is me and my sister at one of those quite rare times when snow flakes fell [and I DO mean more than ONE flake] and actually STUCK to the ground. If it could happen then….IT CAN HAPPEN DECEMBER 25, 2006!

Keep hoping, little ones! Miracles do happen!!!!! :)