Jest and Youthful Jollity

This post is by M. K. Waller

Snow fell in Central Texas last week. It caused such commotion, they probably heard us in Canada.

Folks from snow country smile at our foolishness. At the first flake, we burst into

Jest and youthful Jollity,
Quips and Cranks, and wanton Wiles,
Nods, and Becks, and Wreathed Smiles,
Such as hang on Hebe’s cheek,
And love to live in dimple sleek;
Sport that wrinkled Care derides,
And Laughter holding both his sides.

Isn’t that a wonderful image–Laughter holding both his sides. John Milton had more fun in him than he gets credit for.

But I digress.

The first time I saw snow, I was six years old. My perpetual sinus infection/tonsillitis had flared up. Dr. Luckett dropped by to see my mother–I think she was in bed with the flu–and my father asked if he could wrap me up and take me outside for a…