I stand here, looking out my window missing the snow. It's warm as a perfect spring day should be, but it's not. Where is the snow? Seven months a year, I dream the snow will all melt and let my body feel the warmth without ten layers of long-johns, shirts, sweater, hoodies, coat, scarfs, hats, gloves and mittens. I forgot the socks. Yet, here I stand January 8, 2012 yearning for the snow that never came. Snow, you have to have snow in Minnesota, it's just not right. Maybe tomorrow there will be snow.

I don't recall the very first time I saw a bride, but the sight of that beautiful young woman, dressed in a long white gown remained in my memory for a very long time. All through my youth I dreamed that some day I would be a bride, and it was a recurrent dream in which I embellished the details of how I wanted to look.
I want a beautiful gown, one with a sweetheart neckline, and tight fitting bodice, encircled by a billowing skirt made of layers and layers of tulle that would make me appear to be floating with every move I'd make. And yes, I want to wear a crown on my head, one made of diamonds-not real of course-but one that would sparkle in the sunlight. I want to look like a princess. Yes, that is what I really want.
The wedding date was set, reservations for the reception were made and now it was time to shop for the wedding gown of my dreams. I purchased every brides magazine I could find, readying myself for the excitement of the search. $l,000,$2,000 - Oh no! I couldn't even afford $500. My mind blurred by the realization that I would never be able to buy the gown I dreamed of for so long. i continued browsing through the voluminous pages of every magazine, while my heart ached with disappointment. Suddenly, something caught my attention: $75.00 - A&S Department Store. I can't believe it. That's cheap even by current standards. It must be a misprint. I had been shopping at A&S for shoes one day, when I remembered the advertisement for the wedding gown. Oh, what the heck. What have I got to lose. I took the elevator to the second floor and approached the wedding gown department with a heavy heart, knowing that the gown of my dreams was beyond my budget. I asked the saleswoman to show me the gown that was in the picture I had torn out of the magazine. She brought it out, and before I knew it, she whisked me into the dressing room, helped me disrobe, and with a flair, lifted the gown over my head until it slowly floated down and enveloped me. "A nip and a tuck, and it will be ready for pick up in one month," said the saleswoman. "Ten dollars for alterations, please." At that point, I was prepared to compromise on my choice of a headpiece, but little did I know that my mother and our neighbor decided I should wear her new daughter-in-laws headpiece. What! She's the one who married that good looking boy next door that I had a crush on when I was sixteen? Oh, nooo! Well, at this poiint, did I have a choice, and did I really care anymore? The wedding ceremony was concluded as we were pronounced husband and wife, and we proceeded to walk up the aisle, acknowledging the smiles of the well wishers. It was a very long aisle, and as I looked up at my new husband I thought. My, I have never kissed a frog, but here I am on the arm of my handsome prince. It was thrilling. Suddenly, I glanced uptoward the top of my head and saw what appeared to be a dazzling array of sparks-like Fourth of July sparklers. They were emanating from a crown adorned with diamonds. Yes, they were real-really real! Am I hallucinating Am I dreaming? Oh, it doesn't matter, for after all, I feel like a princess anyway.

Challenging... I never imagined trying to write about something white but I already have my word... I know I will enjoy this exercise.

WOW - this is a super fantastic idea which really revs up my imagination - thank you.













wow -