Fielder’s Choice - Barry Burleson


Thursday, February 11, 2010
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Fielder’s Choice
By Barry Burleson

Ready for springtime

Snow days were few when I was in school.

But I remember them very well. And I recall wishing for many more - that didn’t come.

This week’s snow days were a bit of a surprise - at least to the Burleson family.

I did watch the forecast on television prior to going to bed Sunday night. The prediction was heavy snow to our north but slim chances for Holly Springs and Marshall County.

Isn’t that when we usually get snow? It just goes to show you who is in charge of the weather - even with all this sophisticated radar and such.

We woke up about the usual time, 6:30 a.m., thanks to the clock radio. The newscast on the radio reported a five-car pileup and eight cars slipped off a ramp in the Memphis area.

Pam immediately asked for the TV remote, which was in the floor on my side of the bed.

When she turned on Channel 5, the first thing she saw was school closings - Marshall Academy, Marshall County, Holly Springs and the list went on and on.

Then she decided to go look outside. I was still trying to open my eyes.

“Barry,” she shouted, “we have lots of snow.”

I didn’t jump quickly out of bed. Instead, my first thoughts went to the newspaper. Monday is a hectic production day for the second section of the newspaper and The Pigeon Roost News.

I got a shower, after taking a peek outside myself. I don’t think I’d ever seen that much snow – four or five inches I guess.

Then I got dressed, equipped for the wintry weather with water-proof boots and rain jacket, and headed to the office.

I slid around some - only because I was stopping occasionally to take photos.

An already snow-covered Holly Springs, with more of the white stuff steadily falling, was beautiful.

There was very little traffic. I was in the middle of Van Dorn Avenue taking photos in every direction.

I called to check on employees, most who live in the country - from Waterford to Red Banks.

By about 10 a.m., Barbara, Linda, Kris and Sue had made it to The South Reporter office safely. Our publishing process was moving ahead.

The phone rang steadily with classified advertising and common questions - “Y’all open today?” and “What’s the weather like there?”

I picked Pam up later so she could come in and go to the bank. And I made more photos of dedicated city and county employees and volunteers, too, clearing roads and sidewalks.

The snow was quickly turning to mush as the noon hour approached.

Our 8-year-old daughter called upset at our 15-year-old son who refused to go outside with her. Later Erin and Andy built a snowman in the front yard. Then when Pam got home, she and Erin made snow cream and enjoyed a snowball fight.

Snow days are loads of fun for the children. They don’t care if they might have to make them up later in the school year.

I don’t hope for snow days anymore.

It’s Monday night about 7:30, just had a great bowl of chili, watching Andy Griffith reruns, more winter weather possible overnight.

I’m looking forward to spring.

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