Snowbound

Heathrow airport, December 2010

'The Great Frost'
or The art of walking the streets of London

O roving muse, recall that wonderous year,
When winter reigned in bleak Britannia's air;
When hoary Thames, with frosted osiers crowned,
Was three long moons in icy fetters bound.
The waterman, forlorn along the shore,
Pensive reclines upon his useless oar,
Sees harnessed steeds desert the stony town,
And wander roads unstable, not their own;
Wheels o'er the hardened waters smoothly glide,
And rase with whitened tracks the slippery tide.
Here the fat cook piles high the blazing fire,
And scarce the spit can turn the steer entire.
Booths sudden hide the Thames, long streets appear,
And numerous games proclaim the crowded fair.

- John Gay (1685 - 1732)

It's an uncertain Christmas at our house. Our Son, who has been studying in London since September, was expecting to fly home for a holiday visit today. Heathrow airport has been closed since Friday. When we last spoke with him, he was at the airport, preparing to take the train back to his apartment and await news of a rescheduled flight.

Since more snow is expected in the next few days, I'm wondering if he'll get out at all.

In better news, my Sister-in-Law Kurly, who has been teaching school in Kiev, successfully made it home to Tampa, after spending two snowbound nights in the Brussels airport.

Here in Southern California, we're hearing of roads closed by rock slides and traffic backups on the freeways. More rain is expected Tuesday and Wednesday.

Wherever you are, whoever you're with, stay safe, warm, and have a great holiday.