Mary and Spring Snow
[image error]
Mary Beekman is a four-year-old ghost who resides in The Beekman Mansion, and considers Brent and Josh her "imaginary friends." Follow Mary Beekman's Diary each week to learn what it's like to be a young child in early 19th century America
No bright sun today. Nell and I were going to take a walk and look for bird nests. The floor boards were cold!!! I tiptoed to the bedroom window and looked out. The ground was white with SNOW. SNOW? Mother's flowers were blooming. I cut some fresh chives yesterday for Father's eggs. I wondered if Brent and Josh know. They know many things and sometimes when I think about them………..there they are!! I must tell them about this SNOW.
Father was drinking his coffee and shaking his head when I entered the kitchen. He was speaking to Mother about "poor man's fertilizer". He was assuring her that the flowers and emerging herbs would all fare well. He told the boys that this late snow was especially good for spring. Snow and rain and sleet and hail bring nitrogen to the earth through all the thunderclouds and snow. He seemed to think that this nitrogen helps to make plants big and healthy. Mother was nodding her head but I am not sure she understood. Brother spoke up and made mention that Nell's father had read that lightening made the snow carry nitrogen to the soil.
I spied Josh and Brent standing behind Brother. Josh was eager to go out into the snow. I could tell because he had his mittens on already. But Brent was listening very carefully to Father's explanation of this late season snow. I want to go out and see this snow on all the plants. I hope I can find my woolen shawl quickly. I have not worn it in many days. There, it is snowing again………….just very tiny flakes. Oh my……………now there is thunder!!!!! Josh was not paying attention and he jumped. Because the sky is gray, I could seen a piece of lightning wink at me through the window. Brent said, no one else can hear him, we must hurry out and watch the plants grow higher. I simply must see.
