Snow! and the New Recruits

While I was dreaming of snow on Wednesday night, it snowed. Dang. I missed seeing it fall softly and hearing the sound of tiny ice crystals tickling the windows. A child I am, at heart.

All of the school districts, colleges and universities closed on Thursday morning – except for my college. Although I was disappointed with their decision, it made sense. Who can’t drive through a tiny bit of slush on the roads? The drivers in Charlotte - that’s who!

Driving through a snowstorm takes skill and I had plenty of practice living in Maryland. During the winter I was sixteen and driving, my Dad, who made a living at driving, took me to a large, empty parking lot on a Sunday morning during a snowstorm. The soft, fluffy kind of snow was blinding, but I drove that 64 Chevy Impala with Dad next to me in the passenger seat. Oh, I was trembling with fear as I plowed my way through six inches of powder. He told me to “gun it”. Woo hoo! I felt the frightening loss of control – rubber on ice without chains - and learned the correction. Over and over again. Spinning, braking, plowing through icy dust with so much play in that steering wheel… it was twice the size of the steering wheels in cars today but the Chevy Impala was, too. After we made it home safely, I learned he had loaded the trunk with kitty litter and a shovel. Smart man. He taught me well.

By mid-morning, our two inches of wet snow was melting quickly.

On the way home, I stopped to admire this snowman, made with little snow. The children and adults must have worked so hard…and played so hard…oh, how I remember “snow days” and the joy. Children here don't have snow memories like mine. After all, I compromised my life on icy hills with a well oiled and sharpened Flexible Flyer!

At home the birds were frantic! The feeders were bone dry and they waited for me and watched.

They knew I’d be there, filling, filling, filling, until their hearts were warm. Seemed like hundreds were there in high volume, in a wild bird frenzy.

More snow tomorrow…stay tuned. I found my boots and gloves but I can’t find my ugly hat.

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Our new class of police recruits started their semester-long journey on Monday. The class of eighteen on Monday is now sixteen. One male recruit packed up and left after lunch on day one. A female recruit packed up the following morning.

It’s a physically weak class.

This photo was taken on Monday during their first formation. I would love to know their thoughts while listening to Sgt. Moore. He’ll mold them into fine officers if they grow strong in mind and body.

Do you remember Johnson? She failed out academically more than half way through her training last semester because she had outside circumstances to work through. When cadets fail, they leave quickly and quietly and I was sad about it. After her fellow cadets graduated on December 4th, she came to see me before she registered for the Spring semester. I didn’t recognize this woman who had shed many pounds and looked just wonderful. We hugged. She remembered my whisper, “Go Johnson…” and thanked me.

She’s back. Better than ever. To do it all over again. Does she look determined, or what? I think...she's gonna...WIN!