What one word can I provide that sums up this winter in the Shenandoah Valley? Hmmm… I know! “BORING!” We have yet to see an appreciable snowfall (dustings only). I know that those who have seen more than their fair share are saying “quitcherbitchin,” but it needs to snow or start getting warm pdq. It’s not that I like to shovel snow and frankly, I’m the type of person who likes snow in early winter and hates it in late winter; but for pete’s sake, I’d like to see at least one snowfall this winter! O.K., enough of the rant…
Speaking of snow (and keeping up with the theme of the blog), has anyone seen that blurb on the news about the recent snowball fight in Wisconsin? They say it didn’t beat the world record, but I’m curious now as to what the world record is. I would dare say that there wasn’t anyone counting participants in the great snowball fights that occured in the winter of ’62 in Confederate winter quarters, but has anyone dared to come up with a tally of the number of participants that may have been in the mix? “Forgotten history?” Ehhh, nahhhh, I’m just curious.
Mark
January 27, 2009
Hey Robert,
If you have a minute, I’d love your take on the post I just put up about the Confederate flag flying in Tampa. I’ve read your posts on the flag with interest and value your insights on the issue
cenantua
January 27, 2009
Oh man, that Tampa flag issue again… it actually far outweighs my beef with exhibitionism in Lee-Jackson Day stuff. That big ol’ flag on a big ol’ pole is no monument to the Confederate soldier and especially no tool for education… at least quality education.
caswain01
January 27, 2009
You could drive up to Massanutten and take wintertime photos of Seven Bends….
cenantua
January 27, 2009
Somehow, that’s just not the type of charming feel that I get when I see snow falling on my own yard, from the comfort of my desk chair while sitting in front of a toasty fire. I’m all for great outdoor experiences afar when spring weather hits, but I’m not so keen on doing the same in winter. Just call me the “springtime patriot.”
Michael Aubrecht
January 28, 2009
Robert, Just an FYI: I will be covering a huge snowball fight that occurred down here, just up the road near Lee’s Hill in my upcoming book on Confederate encampments in Spotsy.
cenantua
January 28, 2009
Michael, Cool! I suspect there will be a number of sites around there that will have snowball battle stories?
cenantua
January 28, 2009
Michael,
I’m sure you will be combing through the Virginia Regimentals for accounts of life in winter quarters. When writing one of the histories, I was quite interested in one artillerist’s account of having a copy of Dickens’ Pickwick Papers and its circulation among others in the cabin during the winter. Finding the account just seemed to add something different to my views of the life of the soldier.
Michael Aubrecht
January 28, 2009
Thanks Robert. I’m looking for pieces exactly like that. It’s time the little guys got some attention from me. I owe them that.
cenantua
January 28, 2009
In terms of the Civil War soldier, I think it is too often the case that people become too obsessed with the “soldier” and the “Cause” and lose the ability to see the man.
Jenny
January 31, 2009
I can ship you some snow since you’re missing out. We’ve run out of places to even put it and your taking some off our hands would be appreciated (I think they’ll have to start pushing it into the lake soon). The piles on the sides of my driveway are taller than I am. Any Confederate ghosts still lingering on Johnson’s Island could attempt to walk across Lake Erie to Canada and escape — it isn’t thick enough yet for those of us who haven’t shuffled off the mortal coil, but I’m sure the ice would support an empyreal being. =)
cenantua
January 31, 2009
Hi Jenny,
Johnson’s Island? Are you in that neck of the woods? Made my first visit to the area two summers ago. Amazing place (especially for a roller coaster freak like me), but for the first weekend in July, it was super cold in the “crossing” to Put-in-Bay.
Jenny
February 1, 2009
I live about 45 minutes to the east of Sandusky. Head up that way for the birding and all the marshes (fall migration is spectacular — woods fill with birds resting after coming over Lake Erie). I’ve been to Johnson’s Island a few times. If you’re interested in Johnson’s Island and you come back this way, stop off at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont — they have an excellent little collection of items.
cenantua
February 4, 2009
O.K. Jenny, we finally got the snow “you sent.” Five inches yesterday… so, just enough for sleighing. When do you want payment… in the form of warmer weather?! :-)