Winter In The Country

We once lived in a little house on a hundred acre farm. The driveway was over five hundred feet long and much of it was exposed to the north winds. Neighbouring farmers would plow our driveway several times after a snowfall, given the frequency of snow drifts forming. While it was blustery and cold outside we were warm and toasty inside. We had a wood stove in our dining room that not only provided heat, but on occasion was also used for cooking.

We were on well-water that came from a well that was also about five hundred feet away, in a field closer to the road. There were two winters that we were without water for a couple of months as the line was frozen due to inadequate snow cover. Friends and family opened their homes to us for showers and laundry facilities. We got to know members of our church family better as we spent more time with them on a regular basis.

Living in the country provided many opportunities for outdoor activities in the winter. A natural rink formed at the side of the house right under a hydro light pole. Our children learned to skate on this rink and the boys played many games of hockey with their dad there. The house was on a small hill so the children would sometimes use their crazy carpets to slide down the hill. Snowmen and snow forts were often built with the abundance of snow available.

While we have since moved to town, we often venture out into the countryside to enjoy winter activities. Today my youngest son has gone sledding with a friend, but the hills are much larger compared to those of his childhood.