White Out

Stephen King: "It snowed every day now, sometimes only brief flurries that powdered the glittering snow crust, sometimes for real, the low whistle of the wind cranking up to a womanish shriek that made the old hotel rock and groan alarmingly even in its deep cradle of snow." The Shining, 1977

It's snowing again. And I'm inching closer to understanding the madness of Jack Torrance in Stephen King's "The Shining."

Usually snow and the accompanying silence are soothing to me. We live in what can be a lively neighborhood close to a city park. In the summer, our quiet Sunday afternoons are occasionally interrupted by picnickers' aggressively amped music. Both car and foot traffic keep our street busy.

But I digress. Back to the snow and madness. Meteorologists have grown somber in their predictions, no longer giddy about approaching snow storms, high winds or temperatures below zero. Swirling, fat flakes have kept us mesmerized, staring out the window. The skies have been gray and the moods bleak. 

Just like in "The Shining."

Characters in "The Shining" have faced personal struggles. Jack, who has battled alcoholism and a fierce temper, looks forward to new inspiration for his writing career and building a better relationship with his young son. The Torrances look and act like any suburban family until they are tucked into an otherwise deserted hotel, working as caretakers, and their lives are thrust into overdrive to crazy. Add creepy, vengeful ghosts and the reintroduction of alcohol in Jack's life, and you've got a downright frightening book and movie.

My house isn't inhabited by ghosts (or at least not unfriendly ones) but there are loud creaks and groans as the temperature plunges below zero. And stays there. Windows rattle and knock in the wind. I look outside and think that my street looks like a beautiful, yet tiresome, snow globe.  

March will bring longer days and, perhaps, warmer days. But there is an opportunity for more snow. The odds are good that on St. Patrick's Day, I'll be wearing a heavy coat, scarf and gloves, while still shivering.

Hopefully we're getting a little closer to this winter being only a memory of white madness.

It's snowing again. 

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Thank you, Stephen King, for decades of nail-biting thrillers.  

For late winter reading or check out the movies:

Carrie - The book that introduced us to Stephen King's world. High school bullies should take note.

Under the Dome - I'm looking forward to another season of the television series...hopefully we'll find out what is the meaning of the dome. No spoilers, please!

Dolores Claiborne & Misery - Actress Kathy Bates brought to life two of King's most interesting characters: Dolores Claiborne and Annie Wilkes. 

Thinner (as Richard Bachman) - This is not a recommended diet book. Billy Halleck, an overweight man, feels the wrath of a Gypsy curse and grows "thinner."

Joyland - King's foray into pulp fiction. Good character study.

Green Mile - First written as a serial, it kept me anxiously waiting for the next installment. 

Shawshank Redemption (short story) - This well-written story will break your heart. It may also change your mind about King if you've never been a fan.

On Writing - In this memoir blended with a writing guide, King reveals his difficulty in getting published and just where he gets those ideas! Definitely a book for writers and readers, and not just King fans.     

Cujo/Pet Sematary - You'll never scold your beloved Fido again.

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Not a Stephen King fan? This weekend I'm reading The Kept (James Scott) which begins with a walk through deep snow. I know what you're thinking - why not novels about sunny Florida or a Caribbean island? It's easier to join Elspeth Howell trudging through the cold snow as I look outside and see my own snow drifts.