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Driving to Cadiz in a Winter Storm

It was close to Christmas time and late afternoon when our plane arrived in Nashville. My father-in-law, who had been waiting, greeted us with hugs, then shepherded us all out to his van. Usually we’d make it to their place in Cadiz within 2 hours. But on our way there, we noticed cars had slowed.

Little did we know, ahead of us  the weather had grown quite foul. Coming up on Clarksville, Dad turned on the wipers, for flecks of falling snow had turned to sleet.
Brooding now, we focused nervously on each detail of the trip; on every sliding motion that was made, on every bump and every straggler we saw that had slid off the road. Meanwhile, ever conscious of the time, I was calculating how much longer it would take to reach our destination as we crawled along at  25 mph!

We made a restroom stop at a McDonald’s. It happened to be closing quite early at that exact moment we pulled in (violent snow storms were rare in Kentucky, and only fools would venture out  this night to get a burger!) Against raw wind, eager to escape its nip,  we carefully but quickly trod on ice after our stop, returning to the comfort of the van.

Finally we approached our final turnoff, and I noted how those last few miles still would take a half hour more to drive. Late that night, we pulled into the drive-way of my in-laws’ welcoming house lit brightly for Christmas. Feeling the biting cold as we piled out of the van and seeing nothing but the stark white of snow against the dark, I breathed a sigh of relief to have safely arrived!

morning’s light. . . . the dazzle of trees’ branches encased in ice For Debbie Guzzi's Mix It Up Poetry Contest

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  1. Date: 2/17/2013 2:42:00 PM

    Andrea, this is really meaningful for me because I lived 30 miles from Cadiz in Murray, KY and went there all the time, and I have taken shelter at a McDonald's off I-24 in the very same area for violent weather as well.. except it was tornado warnings instead of snow. How very funny and strange. -Jeremy

  1. Date: 2/12/2013 6:42:00 AM

    Enjoyed reading your story..I just sent you a note and in that note is a line about ice storm..Then I come upon this one..Great winning work..Congrats..Sara

  1. Date: 2/10/2013 9:38:00 AM

    Sounds like one heck of a winter trip in icy roads. We are getting a bit of warmer winter weather here this week at -6C so that is a heck of a lot better than the -20 we have been getting. Lots of snow and more expected today. love phyl

  1. Date: 2/7/2013 10:47:00 AM

    Andrea, Congratulations on your winning "mixed up poem." Have yourself a nice day~ :-) xox~PD

  1. Date: 2/6/2013 10:08:00 AM

    Congrats on your win, Andrea. Tale and haiku tail - a delight :-) Love, Su

  1. Date: 2/6/2013 10:07:00 AM

    What a trip !! Enjoyed the storm rid read. Congrats on your placement in the contest. Well deserved !!

  1. Date: 2/6/2013 3:52:00 AM

    Big congrats once more Andy , god I hate you , you are so good lol x

  1. Date: 2/6/2013 12:39:00 AM

    lovely write Andrea..congrats on your win..

  1. Date: 2/6/2013 12:15:00 AM

    Beautiful piece,Andrea.Great write.This is lovely.Congrats on your win.XOXO...

  1. Date: 2/5/2013 7:51:00 PM

    congrats on your win Andrea

  1. Date: 2/5/2013 6:42:00 PM

    Wonderful wonderful prose, the haiku was a bit cause and effect BUT I never would have even started learning about haiku if not for YOU! Congrad's on your win. Light & Love

  1. Date: 2/5/2013 6:33:00 PM

    Congratulation on your win Andrea. Warm Smiles, Connie

  1. Date: 2/5/2013 4:34:00 PM

    Enjoyed reading again, congrats Andrea

  1. Date: 2/5/2013 3:08:00 PM

    Might I suggest bring the WHOLE write into the present tense? It will make it even more immediate and involving for the reader and mesh better with the haiku concept. [even though the haiku MOMENT is in the past we reveal it as if we were there in the MOMENT] Light & Love

  1. Date: 2/2/2013 2:15:00 PM

    I really like this, the combination of very descriptive prose and a related haiku. Fine writing. Jack

  1. Date: 1/31/2013 3:21:00 PM

    Just another day in Utah, eh? No. I understand - have been through some pretty bad storms myself. Love, daver

  1. Date: 1/31/2013 8:31:00 AM

    This must have been such a memorable day for you-- I envy your memory. My memory sucks... That is good to know that you arrived safely home, despite the harsh weather-- I enjoyed reading this trip down memory lane, Andrea-- and your beautiful haiku at the end was a brilliant way to end it in my opinion, that was really a treat! Just dropping by to say hi...:)

  1. Date: 1/30/2013 7:24:00 PM

    nicely penned Andrea....winning wishes...

  1. Date: 1/30/2013 7:23:00 PM

    Very icely done!Sorry,NICELY done!!

  1. Date: 1/30/2013 1:30:00 PM

    this verse with the haiku works wonderfully - I can't think of anything for Deb's contest yet

  1. Date: 1/28/2013 8:46:00 PM

    Andrea; That must have been some drive in a winter storm like that. I have been in storms like that. It is no fun. Thanks for sharing and good luck in the contest. Lucilla

  1. Date: 1/28/2013 10:45:00 AM

    I can't help feel a sadness for, the one's who didn't reach their door. On such a night when Jesus came. I think that they kinda felt the same. Peace.

  1. Date: 1/28/2013 10:01:00 AM

    a journey to be recorded, for ever in your poetry, another gem from you Andrea,, almost spellbound every word you write...

  1. Date: 1/28/2013 9:16:00 AM

    I enjoyed reading your very beautiful story my dear Andrea. It brings back a memory when once I traveled back home in my country during an unpleasant weather. Thank you so much for the vicarious experience driving and travelling in a winter/cold place. I love the ending-a safe arrival means success. Have a great day! love always, Leonora

  1. Date: 1/28/2013 8:37:00 AM

    I really like your story, felt Like I made the drive with you.

  1. Date: 1/28/2013 2:14:00 AM

    Love this tale and the haiku tail, Andrea. :-)

  1. Date: 1/27/2013 5:28:00 PM

    And this one.........loved the story about your driving at Christmas time....with such a upbeat ending, and a sigh of relief. I'm afraid I took a bit darker turn with my own entry.... but loved mixing the haiku with the prose. Lovely haiku you have here to top off your poem!! Good luck!!

  1. Date: 1/27/2013 4:48:00 PM

    I am so happy Debbie decided to sponsor this particular contest - I just love getting the chance to see my favourite poets write prose! You have a beautiful writing style. And your haiku really is the perfect finishing touch. I love the idea of trees being "encased in ice" the morning after a storm.

  1. Date: 1/27/2013 7:55:00 AM

    I can well imagine such a trip. Relief in the safety of a home and thankful for safe deliverance. Guardian angels to the fore.

  1. Date: 1/27/2013 5:16:00 AM

    Andrea that was one hell of a journey, good luck...David

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