My favorite sister, aka only sister, has taken to writing articles and sharing them on Facebook recently. Her article, Dreaming of a White Christmas, mentioned the time my daughter asked God to let it snow. We lived in Florida at the time. It happened to be January or February 1977. She was 4 years old and her Sunday School teacher had told them they could pray and ask God for anything. She asked for snow... in Florida! How does one caution a 4 year old that not every thing they ask for may happen. She is a feisty girl and has been since day one! Needless to say she was rather obnoxious about my lack of faith and even more so when it actually snowed! Even so I do love those memories! Thank you to my sister for reminding me of a memory nearly 40 years ago!
My sister's article from December 13, 2015
She is a horticulturist and gardener. A former writer for Cooperative Extension Service, Master Gardeners and The Newnan Times-Herald.
Dreaming of a White Christmas
By Carolyn Fjeran
Surprisingly, Buffalo, New York is without snow for the first time in 116 years! Not to worry - there are several days until Christmas, so chances are good they will see a White Christmas.
My young niece, while living in Tampa, Florida dreamed of a White Christmas and prayed for snow fully believing it would happen. Children hold the delightful ability to believe in the unexpected, the extraordinary, the supernatural. She was undeterred when her mom suggested it doesn't snow in Tampa - Tampa after all is in a warm climate zone. Shortly after, it snowed in Tampa.
This led to some interesting perspectives. Children also have the "delightful" tendency to declare their victories with, "I told you so!" But, as we all learn with time and experience, perspectives change. "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but seeing with new eyes." - Marcel Proust.
Southern landscapes covered with fields of cotton can take on the semblance of a white dusting of snow. Delightful, and warm.
Cotton grows only in warm climates. Soil temperature needs to be 60 degrees for planting and the growing season requires 160 degrees of frost free days.Flower buds, called squares appear two months after planting and open white. Flowers change to pink once they are pollinated. A green pod known as the cotton boll appears after the flower withers. Fibers inside the boll swell and burst open to reveal white fluffy cotton. The decorative qualities of the cotton boll make it desirable to many home gardeners.
While passing through south Georgia, I forgot to take a close up of the cotton boll - so began my search in Newnan. Not only did I find a good sample at a local antique shop, the gentleman working the floor reminded me that cotton is one of the traditional anniversary gifts (second year). I'm impressed.
Another vendor at the shop overheard us and shared that her husband, while in college, worked as a scout in the cotton fields. Scouts methodically search the fields for evidence of pests and when found, they identify the specific insect to inform the crop dusters so they will know exactly how to treat. She noted it was long hard work in the hot blistering fields. And important work - the boll weevil devasted the industry in the 1920s.
Websites provide detailed information about growing cotton, but due to the boll weevil erdication program, it is illegal for home gardeners to grow cotton in states where it is a cash crop. Some states in the eradication zone issue permits to grow cotton in a home garden - your local Extension office can provide information about your state.
Fields of fluffy white cotton stretch for miles this time of year. Dreams of a White Christmas south of the Mason Dixon can and do come true. We've learned to see through different eyes.
Carolyn Fjeran, horticulturist and gardener - former writer for Cooperative Extension Service, Master Gardeners and The Newnan Times-Herald.
Well done, Sista!
Fun life lesson
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