Parson Brown

Of course, the big story of the day is the downpour of snow that started for us here around 10:00 or so. It is still coming down heavily and promises to leave several inches for us throughout the day tomorrow. It's so beautiful, and so quiet. As I write here frequently, we don't get snow that often, so when it does happen it is appreciated moreso than those who live further north that may already be sick of it!

Knowing Madison and Daddy, tomorrow we'll be out in the middle of it - dressed warmly of course - and making snow angels. Also, a snowman. We can build a snowman and pretend that he is Parson Brown. I honestly have no idea who Parson Brown is. But I'm about to find out!

According to certain internet sources: Being that a Floridan orange grower was the only well-known person by the name of "Parson Brown" at the time the song was composed, one can assume that "Parson" is used as a title, instead of a first name. In the period when this song was written, parsons (now known as a Protestant minister) often travelled among small rural towns to perform wedding ceremonies for denominational followers who did not have a local minister of their faith. Therefore, the children are most likely pretending that their snowman is a Parson with the surname "Brown," which would be visiting the town again in the future.

So there you go. It's actually a dull answer. I was hoping he was some sort of fugitive, or perhaps the Florida orange farmer has something interesting going on. Another answer we dug up has to do with the musical "Showboat," and a parson character who wants to get rid of an evil husband. Conspiracy theories abound! Just who is this mysterious Parson Brown?

It has been an eventful weekend, but unfortunately for some bad reasons as well. Upsetting events in Arizona have sort of put a damper on a weekend where everyone was excited about snow and football playoffs. What kind of world will Madison be in as she gets older? These thoughts are tough. We pray, and in fact today we started our annual church fast. Day one is today, where for the next twenty-one days, Mommy and Daddy put aside meats and sweets and spend more time in prayer and reading. We do this at the start of each year, together as a church family. In the Bible, there's all sorts of public fasts that are called - and that's basically what we do each January. Our prayer is for Madison, of course. But also for Mommy. Let 2011 be a year of healing and good change.

We couldn't eat sweets today - but we did return to Gumdrop Pass today - that's a place in Candyland. Madison is getting very good at this game, understanding it very well. And beating Daddy each time. I think it's fixed: she always chooses the blue gingerbread man, and I think he's faster!

Anyway, today was largely a waiting game on the weather, but Daddy got firewood and Mommy got all the groceries we need. We'll be ready to spend a day around the house, without going anywhere really. They recommend not driving tomorrow - in fact, one of the current Georgia Governor's last acts is declaring a state of emergency. For the time being, the inauguration of the new Georgia Governor is planned to take place indoors tomorrow, but I don't think we'll make that one. Instead, we'll be spending our day with Parson Brown.