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Snowflakes and Memories
The day: Friday. The time: 5pm. On my way to the Peru area to visit a certain someone, a nice hot pepperoni pizza sitting on my passenger seat, I saw my first snowflake of the new winter season.
It was a small one, and it gently touched down on my windshield while I waited at the stoplight at the intersection of the Military Turnpike and Irish Settlement Road. I stared at it, and as I drove ahead it melted. Moments later several snowflakes were dancing across my windshield, bringing the realization that the summer had flown by.
There are some things that I already miss. I already miss watching baseball all night, sitting on my living room floor, perched against the couch, various snacks at my fingertips. The 2007 baseball season flew by. The Boston Red Sox are champs in two out of the last four. Where's the talk of dynasty? And yet today on "Mike & the Mad Dog" a Sports Illustrated writer called the New York Yankees "the number one franchise in baseball." How can a major sportswriter be so out of touch with baseball? Oh, well, just 136 days until Opening Day!
I already miss the familiar Saturday morning faces at the Farmers' Market in Plattsburgh. Along with fresh corn on the cob. This time of year I always wish I'd eaten twice as much as I did. And I miss the radishes and scallions. I'm sure people are too kind to tell me that eating those little green onions with salt gives a person bad breath for days. Even two bottles of that orange mouthwash can't put a dent in scallion breath!
I already miss stepping outside in just a tee-shirt or with bare feet. Those heavy hoodies and puffy winter jackets are just too darn heavy. And speaking of tee-shirts, I miss those slow drives down Rugar Street right about noontime. As a longtime educator, I admire students pursuing a college degree.
I miss the drive down the Northway to Saratoga in August. Windows down, warm sun on my left arm, music blasting. And standing on the benches trackside with my son, yelling for some horse named "Fox Trot" or "Golden Goose."
I miss a 7pm drive to one of the local ice cream stands for a medium vanilla ice cream cone. Or chocolate milkshake. Or both.
I already miss high school football games, working with my brother Goose. We've covered high school football for the cable television public-access channel for 16 seasons. When we started we were a lot skinnier and a lot less gray, but it's still fun. Especially when a team is driving for a game-winning touchdown with about 20 seconds left in the game, and Goose is telling me, "There's plenty of time, Foxy!"
And, I never thought I'd say it, but I already miss high school soccer games. Covering the Plattsburgh High School boys' soccer team this year was fun. With Tony Hollop on camera for every game, I learned a few rules about soccer. The PHS boys team has reached the Final Four in Oneonta. Their semi-final game is on Saturday morning. Their 5-2 regular season win over Beekmantown was the most exciting soccer game I had ever seen -- until their NYSPHSAA Class B quarterfinal win, a 3-2 victory over Marcellus Central. Even an old man like me didn't mind the 28-degree temperature when the game ended.
The one snowflake today brought me to the reality that the good days of summer are over. Now I can look forward to bundling up in 30 pounds of clothing to snowblow my driveway, and to jumping into a frozen car when I head out for the post office each day. And trudging along Margaret Street to the bank, only to get splashed by a gallon of slush when a car turns the corner.
Ah, no matter what the season, there's just nothing like living in the North Country.
Comments
Foxy ; It was great that Doc said hello and for Wayne to question about how many points I scored in a ymca game that cold Saturday morning! 83points. But I'd rather mention that Doc Girard and Wayne Lashway were two of the best Multi Sports Stars at MAI! I wish all your readers a great Holiday Season and of course the Foxy Family too!
Posted by: Lenny Smallacombe | November 22, 2007 5:28 AM
oops - forgot to write a message!
Anyway, as fast as time is flying by lately, we are probably in for a long, cold winter - which brings me to wonder - do you have a new television yet? If not, you can stand in line at Wal-Mart at some ridiculous time in the morning on Friday and get a really good deal on one! I too experienced the few snow somethings on my windshield and was not sure what I thought of it - I know my granddaughter will be thrilled to play in the snow and, for that reason, I will be tolerant.
I wish everyone a great Thanksgiving. Enjoy the food, the parade, the football, the company, the day off, or whatever it is that makes the day special for you.
Thankfully, miss d
Posted by: miss d | November 20, 2007 9:06 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your readers and a long overdue hi to Wayne Lashway and Popcorn Smallacombe.
Posted by: Doc | November 20, 2007 6:52 PM
Hey Foxy,
I remember sharing those first snowflakes in Nov. of 1957 with other players of the undefeated MAI football team when Coach Pajonas (best coach I've ever had) ran us thru drills well after dark. We did have a tie that season, the first game, when Doc Girard and a kid named Girard for St Mary's of Glens Falls scored all ninteen points for their respective teams.
Sorry, to hear that THE FOX, Leslie Fountain, passed away. Your Dec party sounds great, not sure I can make it, but I will be there Wed night before T-giving.
Hey "Popcorn" - how many points did you pump in at the YMCA that one Sat morning?
Posted by: Wayne Lashway | November 20, 2007 3:44 PM
Hey Forest...Of course you're invited to the party on the 7th! wouldn't be a party without you!. Bring your old cue with you as the pool table will be open, perhaps you might even find a few of those you mentioned racking'em up!..I know the Loon Lake River Run pool champs, Bullet and Flukie will be on hand!
Hell Beverly Pearl herself might even be there?..
We've even hired Glenn's "stunt double" for the evening so figure out how many saltines you want with your pickled sausage...and I fully expect Goose and Foxy to be sporting the high white Cons, Foxy will probably even be sporting those damn knee pads he used to wear when he played!
Looking forward to an eventful evening..Someone let Goetz know, On that particular week, in celebration of a party bound to be filled with old stories and memories ... the Press Republican's usual "Sports Flashbacks section" (10,20,30,40,50 years ago today), instead of the usual "40 years ago today" go with "40 pounds ago today!"
(probably more accurate always!)
See Ya on the 7th! The Carver
Posted by: The Carver | November 19, 2007 7:14 AM
Fox,
On Wednesday, November 14, we had an unexpectedly warm day of 71 degrees. On Wednesday night, we had a severe storm that spawned a tornado that touched down nearby (thankfully there were no injuries). On Thursday, November 15, we were in the high twenties and the low thirties and had spitting snow all day long.
I, too, have moved out of the north country. I, too, was hoping that we would have warmer weather for a longer period of time than what occurs in Plattsburgh. *sigh* I guess this just won't be one of those years.
I would have loved to have shown up at Merons on December 7 but considering that this is in the middle of the holiday season, airlines like to hike up their prices to take advantage of those who are travelling. It's a great business move, don't get me wrong. I just wish they could take pity on us once in awhile.
(Foxy's note: Yes, Kathy, wish you could have been here -- you are one of the original Blogoteers -- and if we ever get t-shirts made, you will get one!)
Posted by: Kathy | November 18, 2007 2:01 PM
If Councilor Kelly could run into Forest on his way to Aubuchons, perhaps some REAL changes could take place in the 'burgh. I have a sense that the two of them have a better vision for the city than just balancing budgets.
Posted by: Art Vandelay | November 17, 2007 10:38 PM
Foxy; It's great to read about the new airline service from Florida to Plattsburgh! Now I am sure to visit next summer and hope to see old friends and look at the city I once called home! I left in 1965! Wow! I cannot wait to drive around the city! I get to stop by the WW 2 monument in the park! My dad's name is in middle row 3rd name! church side! If the church is still there! Love to be at Merons in December! I will have foot surgery November 28th! Its tough to get old!!! Lets have it in summer! Thanks - Lenny
Posted by: Lenny Smallacombe | November 17, 2007 9:17 AM
I also saw my first traces of snow for the season and viewed frost-laden cars coming down from mountains. It made me think of times gone by and what is in store for us over the next few months. I’ve given up on my campaign as an elected official, and am a finalist for the head position at CCC. We’re stuck on the negotiations for the Severance Package, so I have some time to respond to the blog:
I miss the Saturday night dates at the Stardust, Super 87, or even the Border drive ins where I went to not watch the movie; and wonder if the I-pod, or portable DVD can ever take their place.
I miss trudging along the slush filled sidewalks from Beverly Pearl and Marshals to Wards and Fishmans to snag the perfect Xmas present for my brother and sisters; and wonder if today’s youth get the same excitement in the box stores and malls.
I miss 3AM michigans at the Orange Julep; and wonder if the tattoos that we see today will ever hold the same meaning as those that were out on Margaret Street back in the day. I don’t recall any of the girls having them.
I miss frozen custards at the stand on Margaret, and the trips to Carrols in Burlington for five $.19 burgers before they located in P’burgh and changed their name to Burger King; and wonder if I’ll ever be able to enjoy them without thinking of fat content and cholesterol.
I miss the legendary maroon Mustang 442 who was able to make the two green synchronized green lights going up Court Street at the Oak and N.Catherine intersections; and wonder if that Realtor can still handle cars that well. If he clicks on my name, he might see one of his X-loves.
I miss seeing Kenny Mousseau, Brian Poissant, or Leroy Tyndall carrying their own Q-stick into the pool hall to run tables; and wonder if they’d have ‘game-boys’ or ‘X-boxes’ if they were teenagers today.
I miss hopping out of bed in the morning; and wonder if I’ll always be able to reach and cut my own toenails or if someone will come up with a pair of scissors with extended arms and bifocal lenses.
I miss having Glen Lucas come to the house to gas my skunks; and wonder if we’re not just relocating the same skunks from neighborhood to neighborhood.
I miss PF Flyers and canvas Converse; and wonder if teams of today have to travel to Glens Falls to get the right color sneaker for the season.
I miss asking Glen for a pickled sausage from behind the bar, and wondering how he decided how many saltines to include with the order.
I miss not being able to vote for people like Rebel; and wonder if any of the elected officials have any strange plants growing in their yards.
I know something I won’t miss-that’s the party I wasn’t invited to on the 7th; and I wonder if Rubble will be there to share a cold one with the Carver.
I won’t forget what I miss; and wonder if the kids of today will have similar memories of their childhood; I wonder……………………..TBI
(Foxy's note: Great comments and memories, FOREST. But you are invited on the 7th! Check out the blog I wrote on November 1st.)
Posted by: FOREST | November 17, 2007 7:03 AM
Foxy, you have no idea how much I would LOVE to see that first snowflake! The whole time I was growing up in P'burgh, I dreaded the winter and couldn't wait to get out and be somewhere...anywhere else. Now that I am an adult, I have grown quite sappy and get misty-eyed at the thought of a good old North Country winter. My daughter has never made a snowman of any significance...I remember my friends and I building snowmen taller than we were! I remember walking home from my friends' houses just after dark and the moon casting diamonds on the newfallen snow...Sledding, skiing...these are things that people up North take for granted. Go look out your window with slightly different eyes...appreciate the cool, crisp beauty that is a North Country winter.
(Foxy's note: Great, as always, to hear from you, Jodie. Thanks for giving me the other side of the coin!)
Posted by: Jodie | November 16, 2007 10:41 PM
I always enjoy your blog, and I enjoyed this entry, but it was kind of melancholy. Makes me sad the warm weather is ending, also. No more riding my bicycle over to the Plaza to pick up nails at Aubuchons, not because I'm a fitness freak or an extreme environmentalist, but just because it's fun and gives a middle-aged man an excuse to ride his bike. Thanks, Foxy, for sharing your joys of summer - only six months 'till May!
(Foxy's note: You might have noticed, Mike, that my recollections of summer did not include any physical activity or fitness fun! But I praise you for yours!)
Posted by: Mike Kelly | November 16, 2007 9:46 PM