Posted By FarmerJ on December 27, 2008

Okay, well, maybe not seconds. According to the official Prairie Farmstead Weather Station, we’ve experienced daytime temperatures ranging from 0° F to 54° F in a two-day timespan. That’s crazy, I tell you ~ and apparently pretty typical for the prairie land.

The guys have had a few instances where they’ve taken advantage of opportune weather conditions and have managed to have a little fun. On Christmas Day, Husbie got the snowmobile fired up and quickly began making laps around the front yard, just trying to get a feel for the machine. It didn’t take him long to figure out to either really slow down or really lean toward the inside when you go into the corner!

Before too long, Husbie came in to inquire with the two Masters of Their Own Universe if either of them wanted to take the snowmobile for a ride. They both geared up and went out for a little spin. Dad took each of them on a ride first to show them how to operate the machine, and then they were allowed to take it out on their own. Each scenario provides its own venue for comic relief. [Mom knows these things from peering out the windows while making Christmas Dinner. Shhhh! The boys still think it's because Mom has eyes in the back of her head.]

Well, while Dad was giving Dominic a ride, he must have missed that whole “lean toward the inside when we turn” thing because one of the first things Mom saw was the snowmobile tipping onto one side as soon as Dad made a turn. There sat Son #1, straight up; stiff as a board; complete and utter dead weight on the back. Lean, Dominic, lean!

So, then it was Daniel’s turn to take the machine for a spin on his own. Dad explained and pointed out to Daniel ~ with hand gestures and all ~ the path to take so that he’d be sure to keep the machine in the snow. Daniel nodded his head acknowledging Dad’s instructions, hopped on and away he went! But wait! There went Son #2 down the gravel driveway, onto the gravel road and onto the gravel driveway on the other side of the house ~ not a lick of snow to be treaded. Snow, Daniel, this is a snowmobile; therefore, ride it in the snow! Oy!

Yesterday brought some additional entertainment for the guys ~ again with the snowmobile, but with a little twist. I didn’t get to witness any of this, though, so I’m unclear as to the specific order of events. But the gist of it went like this…

The boys rode the snowmobile while Dad pelted them with snowballs as they passed him by. Dad rode the snowmobile while the boys tried to pelt him as he passed them by.

Dad assisted Daniel in making an “Involuntary Snow Angel.” You all know
what a Snow Angel is. Well, an Involuntary Snow Angel is basically the same thing, except the participant flailing his arms and legs while his face is being smooshed into the snow didn’t lay down voluntarily. Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha! [I can laugh like that as long as I'm not the involuntary participant. Shhhh!]

Dad attacked Dominic to give him a little taste of the snow, and brother Daniel came to his rescue. Dad came in to report he’d ended up with snow down his pants. Brrrrrr! The thought of that just makes me shiver!

It’s a good thing all these activities occurred prior to noon yesterday, because that’s about when the temperature reached a sweltering 54° F and remained that way for a good portion of the afternoon. Needless to say, Daniel’s Snow Angel is gone and all that remains is a few patches of shallow snow.

I truly regret not capturing yesterday’s activities on camera ~ but then again, sometimes ones own conjured up mental images can be just as funny… I’ll let you create your own!

Today?  We’re back to low 30′s for a high and the heater’s running non-stop.  It’s time to get the Log Monster roarin’!

Categories: Farm Life, Prairie Playtime
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