Jan 30, 2026 3 min read snowball fights

Old School: The Snow Must Go On

"After finally arriving outside, I’d build a snowman or take flight down our favorite sledding hill...." Courtesy Carol McEwen.

By Carol McEwen,

Like most of you, I saw the drastic warnings about the snow due in the Midwest and other central states recently. I admit it; I was feeling pretty smug – sorry for “those poor people,” but smug nonetheless. While I’m not a fan now, I have fond memories of the white stuff from my childhood. Mom would spend 30 minutes getting me all “garbed up” to go outside. We’d find the boots from last winter were too small and the coat was so tight I couldn’t move my arms. Eventually I’d be dressed in some jerry-rigged get-up and ready to venture outside. Then I’d need to go to the bathroom. There’s a reason mothers drink.

After finally arriving outside, I’d build a snowman or take flight down our favorite sledding hill. The descent was fabulous, but the uphill trudge, not so much. In an hour or less, I’d be ready to come inside for cocoa. Remember the removal routine? Boots (preferably kicked off on a large rug or newspaper,) hat, mittens, coat, then those snow pants, always wet at the bottom, even if tucked in your boots.

"Remember packing the hardest snowball, throwing it at that bratty kid next door and then ducking behind the safety of your fort?...." Pinterest photo (unidentified).

I’m told that Eskimos have 13 words for snow. We have several, too, and some of them aren’t nice. But there are different types of snowflakes. There are the fine, powdery flakes that cloud the air. Look out your window and you’ll think you’re in fog-shrouded London. Then there are the fat, wet ones — my favorites. They made great snowmen and fabulous snow forts. Remember packing the hardest snowball, throwing it at that bratty kid next door and then ducking behind the safety of your fort?

"But there *are* different types of snowflakes...." Courtesy Scott Jared, UNC.

As adults, we didn’t always love it. It’s not fun to shovel and dig out cars. If we were lucky enough to have a garage, we worried about getting our car out without skidding down the driveway. And how about the snow driving and getting to work on time, if we could even get there?

In these days of online work, many employees have a short commute — from the bedroom to their home office. But what to do with the kids when school is cancelled? Yes, they can play outside a while but eventually they come in and the squabbles break out. Poor mom or dad are forced to be judge and jury.

"Four or more inches later, there were enough photo opportunities for a dozen People Magazines...." Courtesy Carol McEwen.

All these trials and tribulations were merely bad memories until January 22, 2025, when we Florida folks here in the Panhandle got our comeuppance. Suddenly, a history-making snowfall began as we all rushed outside to get pictures of the snow “before it melts.” We needn’t have worried. Four or more inches later, there were enough photo opportunities for a dozen People Magazines. We pride ourselves on our white sand beaches down here and one wag on Facebook said, “We thought our beaches couldn’t get any whiter, but we were wrong.” File this one under “Too Smug.”

Carol McEwen is a writer for Stroll By The Bay, Mirimar Beach, Florida, and authored the weekly Old School column for the Arlington Sun Gazette/Gazette Leader. She may be reached at: carolwrites4fun@gmail.com.