winters in iowa are commonly cold and white, so it takes a lot more than a flurry to close down roads and cancel school. nonetheless, a few times each year, a storm would come in overnight and in the morning while it was still dark outside, we would stand in our pajamas in the kitchen, listening to the monotone voice droning on through cancellations on the radio.
i had one nightgown i remember wearing for several years that was floor length and flannel, off-white with small red and blue flowers on it. it had a small bow on the front above a few buttons, and it had frills around the sleeves. i stood in it, staring at that radio with my fingers crossed behind my back, as i waited anxiously to hear our school on the list. there was something liberating about having a full day without class, and hours to spend building snow forts and snowmen in the garden.
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