Whatever Happened to: Snowmen?

 

Whatever Happened to Snowmen…?

 

It used to be that every snow season, I could find a snowman or two in the neighborhood. Not any small, wimpy-looking man of snow that would squeak if he could talk, oh no, but a burly, robust, full of gruff and fluff with a carrot nose, coal for eyes, and tree branches for arms. He stood at least six feet tall, and walking around the bottom half of his body seemed to take forever; it was so huge!

Of course, any child would know that this snowman, made with the cold white stuff, hid an underlying, soft, sweet, and good-hearted nature with a smile made with the same coal as his eyes. Whatever happened to him?

Maybe it’s due to climate change or a lack of incentive to build a gargantuan protector of the home on snowy nights to ward off blizzards or more inclement weather. Who wouldn’t want a snowy giant to stand guard for a while and not melt at the slightest warmth from the sun?

By that thought, whatever happened to sleigh rides down a steep hill with the whole family in tow? A sleigh ride to beat all sleigh rides using a tractor innertube or tire, overturned trashcan lid or some such, or an old-fashioned red-flyer sleigh?

Maybe it’s due to climate change or a lack of incentive to gather the family around for a good old go at the neighboring hills and show it who’s boss for a day. We used to do this without helmets and shin guards, or have we forgotten how to live with abandon?

By that thought, whatever happened to snowball fights? Not a lob, thrown just for fun and forgotten. I’m speaking of an all-out war of wills against our supposed foe, neighbor, or friend. A good old-fashioned go for all its worth full of giggles and dodges from a ball of packed snow, not too tightly packed, but one with the right amount of loose pack that can be felt when it meets its mark.

Maybe it’s due to climate change or a lack of incentive to fake-fight someone just for fun. If done right, there’s no fear of a nosebleed or black eye. Those kinds of injuries are deeply frowned upon, and the only injury accepted is the one of a bruised ego.

So whatever happened to snowmen? Not the person driving a snowplow, but the guardians of our need for natural fun, especially during cold winter days when we yearn for warmer ones. Did you know that watching a snowman melt, a properly built snowman as described earlier, is a good pastime when waiting for spring to arrive?

Or so I’m told.

~DaMarie

Photo Courtesy of Felix Berger