I don't know how it started, but we've got a family tradition that you have to walk barefoot in the snow at least once a year. It's best if you go out first thing on the first snowfall. Snow here is so flakey, though. Here one minute and gone the next. There was snow on the ground this morning. And then it was gone. And then it was back. And then it was gone. So I had to just go out when I could.When I say it's a family tradition, I don't mean the whole family is involved. Dad started this tradition years ago when we were still kids. He's still up for a romp in the snow if there are kids around to enjoy it with him. But I doubt he took his barefoot walk this morning without us. I suspect it was more of a contest to see who could stand the most pain. I was always up for a challenge so I always joined in on the walk. Of course, I also used to eat hot peppers and try to pretend they didn't burn my mouth, but I don't derive much pleasure from that any more. No one seems to care.
Mom's job was to make sure there was hot chocolate waiting. The magic elixir of life that dribbles its warmth down your throat to your stomach and somehow, eventually, makes its way to your toes.
Edwin hasn't really joined in the battle cry and niether, I'm sad to admit, have my children. This morning they said, "It would be a shame to walk barefoot so early in the day 'cuz then we'd be too cold to stay outside and play. Maybe later, Mom."
And so I walk alone. And not, I've got to admit, for very long. This morning's barefoot parade was nowhere near as long as the year we went out to feed the birds and pour hot water in the bird bath. But, then, what am I trying to prove? And who's going to know?
Do you have any funky family traditions?
5 comments:
One of our family's traditions is to eat cheese and chocolate fondue on Christmas Eve. We also leave silly answering machine messages for each other and give gag gifts disguised as real ones sometimes at Christmas.
Another funny one is that my mom rings a bell before dinner. The family joke is that when we hear the bell ring, we salivate (like Pavlov's dogs).
We adopted your fondue for Christmas Eve tradition when you were in Togo. This year we did the whole spread-- Chinese, cheese and chocolate fondue! Edwin's boss has a better 1st snow tradition than we do-- he makes fudge to give to clients, friends, and employees!
I hold the wold record for snow walking.... I made it to the mailbox about a quarter mile from mom and dad's front door. I did my "this year walk" the other day to get something out of my car. I feel this tradition has made me a stronger person.
When I was growing up in Oklahoma, we would make snow ice cream from a heavy snow fall. A little vanilla, some suger and milk and lots of clean fresh snow. I've tried to make it once or twice as an adult and somehow it hasn't yet lived up to the magic it was when I was young. ... Brenda
Well I at least shuffled around this morning in 2" of wet snowfall at Camp Yamhill, but I was on a bathroom run to the small lodge weearing my burkies. I confess I didn't do the full double foot trot, but I did put part of one bare foot in the mush when I "skidded" out of the right side sandle.
So, Good for you, Patty. Yea!!And "Ptuuuuui on the girls". We'll really show them how -- next snowfall, OK?
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