Readers share what snow day meant for them

While Branson is in the off season, and some businesses are closed for a few weeks, many people still find themselves heading off to work each day. When inclement weather causes even more businesses to close, those year-round workers enjoy an extra day or two off work. This week Branson Globe readers shared what they did during their recent snow days. 

Said Beverly, "I enjoyed the snow day by catching up on laundry, cooking beans and ham and cornbread and no-bake cookies. And, I rested some, too. My hubby had to work, though, at Walmart."

Lucinda shared, "Read. Made a lap for the cat. Trot outside every couple of hours with a yardstick to measure snow depths. Make potato soup. Refresh my weather app to keep up with possible increases in snow totals. Listen to the sweet, sweet silence.  Revel."

Bradley shared his day, saying, "My day consisted of staying safe at home with my spouse. Made homemade soup and just spent quality time. The money I would have made today is not worth my safety and my vehicle. I had a really great day,"

Said Renate, "I baked. I had ripe bananas, so I tried a few new recipes—banana cake, banana donuts, and banana nut and cranberry muffins. I made ginger spiced cookies. Now I will distribute them to my neighbors. While cooking, I listened to weather reports on TV and did a load of laundry, plus vegging out in my recliner, under a nice warm electric throw and watching mindless TV." 

Catherine said, "Sleep, try to get well and be positive."

"Both of my jobs closed, thank God," said Jessica. "So, I got to nap, clean, play with the pets and watch TV."

Melinda kept busy on her snow days. She explained, "Did three loads of laundry, then did extra washing, like blankets. I got a head start on spring cleaning. I also binge-watched 11-22-63 on Netflix. My husband fixed baby back ribs in his new Insta Pot. They were fabulous. I stayed in PJs all day and watched it snow. And, I even got a 90-minute nap."

Said Gail, "I delivered cups of candy and bottles of water to people in my building."

Leslie noted, "I tackle chores. Hubby naps."

"My favorite thing is just to look out the window and watch the birds eat the bird seed we bought especially for the snow days," Joanna said. "And, watch the snow fall, night or day."

Alex agreed with Joanna, saying, "Lay out extra bird seed and watch from the window. Or, read a book by the fire."

Jeannie was on a mission, "Finding all the air gaps in the house and caulking them. Putting blankets up over the curtains. Anything to make it warmer and knock down electric usage."

"We were doing lip sync karaoke," noted MJ.  "We also watch movies and play games, bake and cook. But, when it is a wet snow, we make igloos and have snowball fights."

Said Teresa," I made homemade beef and barley soup. I started reading a new book. Stayed in my PJs until I changed into another pair of PJs!"

EB said, "My husband loves to put puzzles together. I cook and read, and we watch Landman."

Lissa shared, "Cross stitch and love on my dogs."

"Usually, I have to go to work, not as an essential worker, but my work doesn't close for much," said Robyn. "This time, I was off so I enjoyed my children, tried not to freeze when they wanted to play outside, and cooked a very tasty meal. Oh, and poured gallons of boiling water down our pipes because we live in an older home and the drainage pipes decided it was the perfect time for a blockage/freeze. Not to worry, we've gotten it working!"

One reader said she uses the time to work on genealogy.

Kristi said, "I made an egg drop soup with saffron. Watched western movies on INSP Channel and ate chocolates."

Machal noted, "I got caught up on laundry and made homemade chili. And, made my children do a deep clean.

Carrie Anne shared, "Since I am both a huge movie buff and an avid reader of books, I like to take advantage of both during these bitter cold winter storms."

Karan noted, "'We got leftover Christmas cookies out of the freezer, made hot cocoa, watched it snow from the window and watched movies."

Patricia explained, "I cleaned, watched Netflix, cooked, shoveled snow and took the dog for a walk."

Randy has a unique way of spending his snow days. "I go for a drive and stay on top of my driving skills during bad weather," Randy explained. "Or, whenever teaching my kids how to drive, take them to an empty lot and have them gun it and teach them the proper way to steer whenever they start losing control. You never know when a time comes when you have no choice but to have to drive in slippery conditions." 

Kim, who works in the medical field noted, "I stayed at the hospital. I worked Friday night, Sunday night and Monday. I was afraid if I went home, I wouldn't make it back."

Dustin uses the snow days as opportunities. "I shovel driveways," he said.

Angie is not guaranteed to get snow days. "I am an on-call hospice nurse," she explained.

Carri noted, "My husband is a city mail carrier. Mail carriers deliver in all weather. If he thinks the weather will prevent him from getting to work, he gets a hotel close enough to walk to the station. Mail is still an essential service. Not many people realize that. Even if I can't get to my mailbox, the USPS carriers are required to attempt delivering their mail route. And, for some reason, they are no longer allowed chains on their government vehicles."

"What are snow days?" Michael asked. "I'm an IT technician and computer issues don't take snow days, so I can't either!"

Debi shared her thoughts on the occasional day off due to winter weather. "Snow days are when my husband and I stop life and unwind. We never know when we'll have them, but when we do, we feel it is important to stop, breathe and reconnect with each other."