#WorldWatercolorGroup - Snow Day Squirrel - Doodlewash
By Charlie

A Snow Day

Written by Charlie O'Shields

When I was kid, the best part about winter was when you realized there was enough snow falling to get out of school that day. The idea of getting a snow day was a cherished event and one of the most exciting surprises of childhood. I woke up to more snow falling today and even though I’m off work this week, it still had the same thrill. So, I make this quick little 2-color doodlewash to mark the occasion. I’d been wishing all month for snow on the holidays as it just feels a bit more festive that way. I stuck with regular wishing, though there are actually other ways to make snow appear, like turning your pajamas inside out and wearing them to sleep. I’ve no idea why this would work, but it’s part of child folklore. A more related way to conjure snow is to place a cube of ice in the toilet and flush it. At least this is related to something cold. Each cube and flush represents the number of inches of snow you’d like to receive in exchange for acting so weirdly. Apparently, you can also put a spoon under your pillow to bring snow, but I can’t for the life of me understand the point of that one.

These superstitions are simply updates of the much older tradition of the snow dance, which is another option for the rhythmically inclined. I didn’t have time to prepare a proper dance routine, so luckily the snow came without the need for all those rehearsals. Unfortunately, it also brought bitter cold, that wasn’t really on the wish list, so we’ve been hiding indoors all day. The dog is less amused by the snow and cold temperatures. When I took him out for his morning pee, he just stopped and looked up at me as if to say, “what the hell is this? Fix it!” I honestly can’t blame him, as I wouldn’t want to pee in such weather either. Later, when Philippe tried to coax him into his winter jacket, he cowered under my legs and wouldn’t come. Thus, stubbornly starting what we refer to as “a poop strike” and running upstairs to curl up on the bed instead. Phineas is now snoring on the couch, no doubt dreaming of being adopted by parents who live in Florida.

But I’m personally thrilled for a day of beautiful snow and lots of time to play with Christmas toys. Or, as is more accurately the case, bounce from one thing to the next and then look at the clock wondering where the time has gone. I spent so much time just mindlessly doodling today, that I almost didn’t have time to complete anything for this post. That’s the sign of a snow day well spent, in my opinion. Just a bit of goofing off and not taking life too seriously. Though, I tend to live most of life that way. As the New Year approaches, I make the usual resolutions to be sensible and try to focus a bit more. These are harmless promises I break to myself at the first sight of something shiny and new. It’s not that I’m reckless, it’s just that I choose to live life with a constant bit of glee. Life is a silly thing to worry too much about as it doesn’t last long enough to raise any real concern. So for me, I’ll just keep on bobbing ridiculously through it and living each day like it’s a snow day.

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About the Doodlewash

Da Vinci Paint Co.: Terra Cotta and Cobalt Blue.  Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book.
  #WorldWatercolorGroup - Snow Day Squirrel - Doodlewash

Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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46 thoughts on “A Snow Day”

    1. Thanks so much! 😃💕 Yeah, I’ve been doing just that! It’s been ages since I had time to read properly and I’ve already finished one book and am on to the next! hehe… wait…now it just sounds like I’m gloating. 😊

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    1. Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 But have you actually done a rain dance? hehe… please do so and then report back (be sure to also capture it on video! lol). Yeah, I don’t think of that really works. I have been had.

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  9. I read somewhere that crinkling your eyes when you smile releases endorphins that reduce stress levels and act as a natural pain reliever. I cannot look at that squirrel without a smile crinkling my eyes and the world seeming like a really great place to be. Thank you!

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  15. I love your squirrel playing in the snow. I love to live life with glee also! We have so many wonderful opportunities of which to avail ourselves! I often have friends comment they wish they did as many things as I do (classes mainly) and I often wonder why they just do not sign up instead of sitting at home wishing!
    P.S. Poor Phineas! I am wanting to move someone warmer myself!

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  16. Adorable! And all with just two colors…. ( : Growing up in the Colorado mountains, we never ever had to flush ice cubes or sleep in inside-out pajamas with a spoon in order to get snow. Lots of snow. However, we also never got a snow day. Ever.

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  18. Such a cute squirrel! I still enjoy the falling of snow, although I’d rather not drive in it. When we were kids, we’d shovel the big driveway behind our house, but the reward was then a GIANT pile of snow to make forts. Now, I just clear enough to move the cars and not get too bad of a backache, lol.

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  20. We don’t get very many snow days in Idaho. Don’t get me wrong, we get a fair amount of snow, but school and work rarely gets canceled, we get to suck it up and truck on. So instead I randomly declare “jammie days” which may or may not actually involve staying in jammies all day, but there is no going out or doing anything remotely adult like. And there is generally lots of art and or reading involved.

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