first snow

All week long the forecasters had been calling for snow Thursday night into Friday ~ and Mike was committed to attending Ledgemont High School's football playoff game at the field on Burrows Road.  The Redskins had gone 10-0 this year for their first undefeated season in history.  Once you've been a Ledgemont Redskin there's always a little bit of that in there.  He really wanted to go and witness this playoff game.  I whined all week long about it.  But Thursday he went to Ledgemont High School and bought two pre-sale tickets, knowing I'd have to go since we spent the money.
So we bundled up and drove into Thompson.  As soon as we hit the bottom of the hill by Ford Road ~ the rain turned into slush/icy rain/snow.  There we were; standing on the muddy cinder track watching the pre-game show at R.W. Sidley field at Ledgemont Local Schools.  There is something incredibly special about small schools.  Things are done as best they can be done ~ and often better than at larger schools.  The concession stand didn't just have warmed over pizza and soggy hot dogs.  They had three grills going ~ not only making good food, but keeping warm and putting that good grill smell in the air.  The band was very little ~ tiny even.  Without any trumpets and only two drummers they didn't even make much noise.  But they were there and were joined by the just-as-small Monroeville Marching Eagles to play the National Anthem.  (You certainly wouldn't see the Blue Streak Marching Band and the Perry Marching Band joining together on the field to do that!)  The Thompson and Montville ambulances were there ~ with the Thompson side turning on the siren for every Redskin score,.  Which was a lot, since they won 47 to 21.  The first playoff will in Redskin football history.

We woke up this morning to snow on the ground and leaves still in the trees.  This is the time that fall begins to battle with winter over our weather ~ and we all know how that ends.  I'm ok with that.  I think the snow is pretty even when I'm staninding on an old cinder track watching it come down on high school football players at a school where I used to work.  Maybe especially then.