“I believe in process. I believe in four seasons. I believe that winter’s tough, but spring’s coming. I believe that there’s a growing season. And I think that you realize that in life, you grow. You get better.” – Steve Southerland I like the four seasons too although I admit to sometimes getting weary of winter and have been know to gripe a bit when the summer air is heavy with the kind of humidity that makes you wish for winter. But this week, winter finally eased up on us here in Kentucky. It didn’t go away, but we had a day when it got into the 60s, nice and warm enough to melt the snow down into the ground to water the green when spring does show up. But here on One Writer’s Journal, I’m still in winter for one more post as my Winter Scene Giveaway comes to a close. The two winners of the giveaway are named below. But first I promised one more snow scene from one of my books. I asked you readers to vote on which book I should grab a scene from. Along a Storied Trail won out in a close vote over The Song of Sourwood Mountain and These Healing Hills. So, I’m sharing another snow scene from Along a Storied Trail and then another from The Song of Sourwood Mountain since I hadn’t shared a scene from that story as yet in this Winter Scene giveaway although I did just share a scene about Ada June building a snow dog in a January post. First here is a scene with Perdita Sweet in Along a Storied Trail. At the first, Perdita is talking to her cat, Prissy. “Ain’t nobody gonna be out on this snowy night. Not even Hanley, if’n he did think about us up here with naught but a handful of meal left in the cupboard to make poor do.” She held in her breath to listen for what had the fur up on her cat’s back. She did hear something. A little mouse-like knock. Nothing like how that Tansy girl a while ago had banged on the door like she figured Perdita was hard of hearing. Prissy retreated to the bed, tail up and on full alert in case she needed to pounce on something. “Ain’t no worry, Prissy. Snakes ain’t liable to be out in this. Ain’t no tellin’ what it might be. But I reckon I better open the door to see.” She considered picking up the fire poker in case it was trouble, but trouble wouldn’t sound so feeble with its knocking. Then again, trouble could sneak up on a person without making a sound. The tapping came again. Not loud, but twice in a row. “Hold your horses,” Perdita called. “I ain’t as fast as I once was.” She pulled the door open. Snow swirled in on the wind. And there in the middle of the snow was some poor soul. About all that showed were eyes peeking out from a woolen scarf. Wasn’t any taller than Perdita, who had shrunk a little with the years. “W-will you l-let me c-come in?” The child could hardly get the words out for the way her teeth clattered between the words. Perdita reached and took hold of the child’s arm. “Get on in here ’fore you let a foot of snow in. What in heaven’s name are you doing out in this weather?” She had no idea who she was bringing into her house. Could be that trouble sneaking up on her.
And now here is a snow scene with Mira in The Song of Sourwood Mountain. Mira turned back toward Gordon’s house. Her house, she reminded herself again. But she couldn’t expect to feel at home here so soon. At the same time, she’d had no problem opening her heart to these girls she’d met. Perhaps Ada June would come tomorrow to give her that cornbread baking lesson. How in the world did you bake something in an open fire? Mira sighed. She had so much to learn about this place and these people. Right now the smallest things seemed like big problems. How would she have privacy enough to take a bath? And where did they get their food with no markets? The shadows deepened under the trees. She was no longer sure of the path. She looked back and saw nothing but trees and rocks. She didn’t think she’d walked that far from Elsinore’s house. She had no sense of direction. Of course, she knew the sun went down in the west, but the dark clouds overhead hid any sight of it. Besides, she had no idea if the house was south or north, east or west. Her heart began to beat too fast as night seemed to fall over her like a heavy blanket. Which way? A snowflake drifted down to land on her cloak. Wind moved through the pines overhead. Moments earlier she’d thought the wind sang through the pines, but now it sounded more like moaning as snowflakes swirled around her. “Calm down,” she muttered the words aloud. She wasn’t lost. Yet. Elsinore’s house was only a little way behind her, whether she could see it or not. Gordon’s house had to be just beyond the trees. In the holler, as Ada June would say. The dark holler right now. She would not panic. They had climbed up the hill. If she kept going down, she would come out in the clearing and see their house. Wind blew snow in under the trees. She pulled her cape tighter and held onto her hat as she kept walking. A huge boulder loomed up before her to block her way. They had not passed anything like this on the way to Elsinore’s house. She was lost. In a snowstorm. With night falling around her. Thanks to all of you who read my winter snow scenes. I’ve enjoyed sharing them with you and appreciate you taking part by answering my questions and entering the giveaway. It’s always fun to give away a book or two. I’ll be having more giveaways in the coming months before the release of A Chance for Kallie Mae. And now here are my Winter Scenes Book Giveaway Winners
Thanks again for making my Winter Scenes Giveaway fun with your comments. Which scene was best at grabbing your interest? (The graphic at the top is compliments of Susan Snodgrass who was an amazing supporter of Christian fiction authors. She passed away a few years ago, and I miss her.) |
