First Snow On The Prairie: Snowy Sleep Story

Travel through time with a companion of your choice to a prairie homestead. On the cusp of winter, the first snowfall begins as you tend to animals and ride horses. At nightfall, you gather wood and retreat to a rustic cabin. You warm yourself by the crackling fire and relish the quietude of a simpler time. It's time to dream away.

Transcript

Fall fast asleep with this cozy bedtime story for grownups.

You are listening to First Snow on the Prairie.

In this mystical sleep story,

You travel with a companion through time and space to a prairie homestead in the 19th century.

The bite of winter is in the air as you tend to animals and gather wood.

You and your companion ride horses as the first snowflakes begin to fall,

Relishing the beauty before it is time to hunker down.

With the horses safely return to their stable,

You return to a rustic log cabin.

You get cozy by a crackling fire as the winds howl outside and offer the message that the season of hibernation is near.

Sparkling clean snow accumulates on the golden prairie grass as you cuddle up and fall asleep in a simpler time.

It's time to dream away.

I would like to welcome you to Michelle's Sanctuary.

I am Michelle and with each listen,

Imagine my voice is that of a trusted friend and guide.

I am here to remind you of all the beauty to be experienced in your waking and dreaming life.

You are gifted a sacred time before bed every night to release your thoughts and concerns and embark on a healing adventure.

And in this magical world of sleep,

Your body may restore itself and heal without any conscious effort on your part.

I invite you to think of sleep as a time to get away.

You may look forward to each night as you would a vacation.

In your dreamscape and imagination,

Anything is possible.

You are free to choose how you listen and experience this practice.

You may skip ahead to the story or you may enjoy the breathing exercises and meditation that will bring you to a deeper state of relaxation.

Thinking about this experience may be customized to what feels right for you.

You know yourself better than anyone else.

If sleep calls to you before the story ends,

You may always return to listen in the future.

Honor what feels best right now.

Sink into your bed and take in a deep,

Full breath.

Imagine this healing oxygen is a message delivered by your blood cells and that message delivered all over your body is.

Relax.

Open your mouth into a yawn and sigh the air out of your lungs until you sink deeper into your bed.

Notice how your body feels right now.

The longest relationship you have in this life is with your body.

Take a moment to thank it for being here.

Right now.

Doing everything it can to aid you in winding down.

Inhale deeply.

Imagine imagining the message traveling on every cell that receives oxygen from this breath.

Relax.

You may hold your breath for a moment at the top before you exhale.

Feel the release.

The act of letting go.

The surrender.

Take in one more deep breath,

Filling your body with so much air that you could float across the sky like a hot air balloon.

Take another yawn if you like.

And then exhale and simply let go.

In the sanctuary of your room and comforts of your bed,

You imagine you are covered from head to toe in sparkling golden light.

With a luster of soft sand crystals beneath the late day sun and the reflections of a peachy moon on a brook,

This light has a touch of magic.

It shines over any places of tension in your body and releases them.

It makes you feel so light that you are free to travel through space and time.

It frees you of gravity and limitations.

A smile forms on your face simply because you feel good all over.

There is a soft wrap on your window.

You peel back the window coverings and peer outside to see a loved one.

Perhaps this is someone you have not seen in some time.

It could be a romantic interest,

It could be a family member,

Or it could be a dear friend.

The beauty of this night is that possibilities are without bounds and anyone may show up.

This loved one is cloaked in a shimmering light as well.

You open the window and they ask if you are ready for an adventure.

You feel like a lucky lottery winner,

Pleasantly overwhelmed by the rarity and specialness of this moment.

You glide across the air into the night sky and begin to drift through time and space.

You float through the stars and the indigo sky.

Together laughing,

You sail through the smoky grey clouds.

Your companion asks if you are ready,

And you are but wish to have one more flight before you surrender to the night in store.

You relish a final downward glide across the sky and join hands with your companion.

You surrender to a sensation of drifting towards the earth as if giving in to a gentle undertow.

You continue to sail down,

Down,

Down.

You meet your companion's sparkling eyes as the journey begins.

On the cusp of winter,

The prairie looks like a bed of corn silk.

The tender reeds of grass become rigid with a coating of frost.

You and your companion's feet crunch on the slightly frozen earth of a homestead.

In these final hours before sunset,

You take care of your animals and prepare for the first snow.

The days are short and the early nights offer quietude and a well-deserved hibernation.

Life is simple.

On the prairie,

Meeting your basic needs fills you with a sense of purpose and pleasure.

Free of the noise of modern technology and weather reports,

You become like the inhabitants of the grasslands and rely on your innate connection to nature.

You can smell the first snow before it arrives.

The air is cold and damp.

Lavender gray clouds float across the sky and create shadows on the prairie like fallen autumn leaves drifting across a glassy lake.

You meet your companion's eyes that twinkle with a sense of adventure.

It is so wonderful to be far away from the cares and concerns of the modern world.

Free to roam this rugged landscape.

You connect with deep hidden parts of yourself as you venture into the unknown.

You are bundled in layers of attire made of wool and cotton.

Fabrics are heavier than anything you have worn before and bring the comforts of a weighted blanket.

They block the sharp wind and are in neutral shades.

You blend in with the soothing neutral and earthy tones that surround you.

The grasslands are a landlocked region that connects you to the elements of earth and sky.

The rolling land and cloud covered sky span far beyond what your eyes can see.

You use this time to explore the homestead and prepare for the storm.

The fresh clean air carries a fragrance distinct to the prairie.

You smell the sweet decaying earth that reminds you of wet wood chips and dried flowers.

A pair of prairie dogs stand on their hind legs and kiss.

You and your companion go unnoticed for a moment.

She watched the pair lovingly groom one another.

Their coppery fur is sleek and blends with the dirt mound on which they stand.

Their bodies are plump,

Storing fat in preparation for the seasonal changes to come.

The mound leads to a burrow that spans much of the property of the homestead.

The colony of prairie dogs rests beneath the surface as they too are intuitively aware of the first snow on its way.

Their cold black eyes turn towards you and your companion before they dive into their underground world.

Prairie dogs are social,

Living in villages and thriving with a network of families looking out for one another.

They cry out in high pitched screams to alert one another of danger.

While you and your companion are the only humans for many miles,

You feel a connection to the community of prairie dogs.

You imagine being part of their town,

Exploring the intricate designs of tunnels and nooks within the earth,

Safe from the elements.

The prairie dogs are industrious and their work helps channel rainwater runoff and erosion of the land.

In an unspoken pact,

You rely on one another to survive.

Your companion leads you to a nearby stream.

You approach the babbling water that cascades over silvery black stones that glisten like obsidian.

They playfully press their boot onto a thin layer of ice that is formed on the surface.

The water gurgles up over the slivers of ice that look like broken glass.

The simple beauty is mesmerizing for both of you.

You dip the tips of your fingers into the silvery water.

At first they tingle and then become numb.

You bring a finger to your lips to taste the water.

It is the purest water you have ever had.

Your companion smiles and encourages your curiosity and mirrors you.

This moment enlivens the wonder you may have felt early in your childhood when everything was new and exciting.

The prairie allows the same level of exploration that is granted in youth and slips away with time.

Your companion leads the way back towards the homestead to corral the animals into the barn.

You walk through a cornfield and the stalks are covered in a soft coating of frost.

You run your finger across the sparkling white crystals and anticipate the coating of snow to come.

The root cellar is full of corn and canned fruits and vegetables to get you through the winter and spring.

Salted proteins and dehydrated options are plentiful in this storage space.

Thanks to a kind summer,

The dirt and wood walls of the cellar remind you again of the prairie dogs going underground.

You have your own underground dwelling to meet your basic needs.

You feel safe and relaxed in knowing the abundance you have to tide yourself over and you feel proud that your efforts will bring care to the animals as well.

The homestead has a few sheep and cows that stay close to the barn when a storm is coming.

These larger animals are in their own gated roaming area and your companion leads them into the back of the barn where their separate stalls await them.

Chickens and ducks scatter across the cold ground along with a pair of skipping goats.

The miniature goats bleat and rub against your legs for affection.

You run your fingers through their thick soft fur and guide them towards the front of the barn.

They follow behind you with a sense of trust as the first big flurries begin to fall.

You bring them into the rustic barn and the first wave of dusty hay scented air conjures memories of building the structure.

You can still feel the rough wooden planks that you cut and sanded down.

Pioneer life pushes humans beyond their limitations as they learn to do things because there is no other choice.

There is no room for fear when something must be done to survive.

And this idea gives you a sense of freedom and self-reliance that empowers you to recognize you can do so much more than you ever imagined possible when called upon.

The aroma from the fresh bales of hay that you and your companion brought in earlier now mingles with the smell of dry wooden walls.

You feel completely prepared for the storm and rest assured that your animals can be safe as well.

You can still feel the soft burn in your arm and leg muscles that remind you of this endeavor.

As your friend tends to the larger animals,

You guide the chickens to the coop and feed them.

There is a natural rhythm and flow that has been crafted over years of routine.

Like the instruments of an orchestra,

Everyone knows their place and what to do.

The goats nestle on a bed of fresh hay.

You walk towards the other side of the barn and find your horse in her stable.

You run your hand across her shiny coat and smile.

The snow is softly falling outside,

With a couple hours before darkness settles in.

There is still time to enjoy the wintry air and freedom of the outside world before you hunker down.

Your companion senses the same desire and you spontaneously decide to ride your horses.

You place a warm wool blanket and saddle over your horse that you have named after something or someone that makes you feel proud and strong.

You and your companion guide the horses out of the barn and towards a path that leads around the property.

You hoist yourselves onto your horses and begin with an easy gallop over the prairie.

Snow lightly falls and a white dusting covers the golden earth.

Come spring the melted snow will replenish the grass and it will come back greener and more vibrant than ever before.

Winter offers a time for everything to withdraw and to draw in.

To nestle close to the earth,

To burrow and to seek shelter.

You enjoy the idea of letting so many things go as the hard work and harvest of the year have afforded you this time of grace and surrender.

The horses are joyous,

So happy to let out a burst of energy as their strong muscles lead you and your companion towards a pond.

In a few weeks time the pond will be frozen solid,

But now it reflects the sky on delicate ripples formed by the falling snow.

The snowflakes melt as soon as they touch the surface of the water.

You lead the horses to the edge of the pond and they both take a sip.

They take as much pleasure from this as you and your companion did tasting clean water from the stream.

As the horses lap the water,

You look towards the sky and watch the snowflakes fall from the bleak gray clouds.

Each intricate and unique snowflake gives credence to the idea that beauty and newness may come from something bleak like a storm cloud.

The snowflakes land on your eyelashes and melt on your cheeks and lips.

You take in a deep breath filled with a feeling of hope that anything is possible.

You cannot connect the reason for this feeling and don't even try.

You simply embrace it.

It feels so wonderful to be aware of the moment and all that is happening.

In the stillness you can hear the soft patter of each snowflake falling.

You imagine the dens and tunnels beneath the earth housing the prairie dogs.

A wind gust rattles the frosted prairie grass.

Your horses ears perk up and you know it is time to return.

You and your time traveling partner direct the horses back to the barn.

Their hooves gallop onto the firm earth and the rhythm matches the beat of your own heart.

You feel the wind against your back.

Your garments protect you from its chill but the persistent air is like a massage.

The horses enter the barn and you and your companion come down from them.

Your boots land on the dirt floor of the barn in a gentle thud.

You guide your horse to her stable and remove the reins and bit and saddle and blanket so she may relax and settle for the night.

The grey skies have turned to purple black with puffs of silvery white clouds that move like apparitions.

You and your companion walk towards a woodshed between the cabin and barn.

You both carry a few dry logs of wood that you cradle like a baby against your chest.

The snow comes down more heavily,

Swirling around the earth and coating the log cabin in the snow.

You walk towards the cabin and ascend the creaking wooden stairs to the porch with your companion by your side.

You push open the door into the modest living space that is cozy and small.

There's a cooking stove and fireplace,

A dining table with chairs and two beds.

Two picture windows look out onto the prairie and icing of snow covers the outer edges of the window panes and you may only see out through sparse crystals in the center.

Soon it will be a total whiteout.

Your companion lights two tapered candles made from beeswax in the summer months.

The small flames bring an amber glow to the room as the shadows dance on the walls.

With small scraps of kindling and twigs,

They start the fire.

A few moments pass and the flames engulf a log and lick the soot covered walls of the fireplace.

A wave of air becomes warm and marries the cool air of the cabin.

You stand close to the fire.

Your numb toes begin to tingle and feel warm as they come back to life.

The wind whistles outside and the snow falls on the roof.

The cast iron kettle of water hangs from the fireplace and is warmed by the flames.

You gather two tin cups from a cupboard in the kitchen,

Along with a container of dried chamomile and mint to make tea.

Your companion removes the kettle from the fireplace and sets it on a stone tray.

You drop the chamomile flowers and mint into the pot and their fragrance is carried on the steam rising out of the opening.

As the tea steeps,

You place two copper bed warmers in the flames.

They are filled with sand that retains the heat of the fire.

You then return to the tea to pour it into tin cups.

As your companion places the bed warmers on your beds beneath the heavy winter blankets and sheets,

Together you sit in two wooden rocking chairs and enjoy the tea.

The silky liquid warms your mouth and throat.

The mint leaves a refreshing cooling sensation that helps soothe you from the dry winter air.

The chamomile flowers leave a hint of sweetness.

You and your companion rock back and forth,

Listening to the soft creak of the floorboards and the crackling of the log in the fire.

You begin to reminisce.

Memories waft in and out,

Like wisps of smoke that escape the tin chimney on the roof.

The intimacy of the cabin makes you feel safe and it's easy to keep the small space warm.

The log walls have the red-brown luster of an aged penny.

The cabins of the times gave a sense of community to pioneers who shared the space with family members.

Once again,

Your thoughts drift to the prairie dogs beneath the earth.

Beneath the cabin in their dwellings they are surrounded by family and a community.

For even in the most isolated of settings,

A sense of connection is found in pioneer life.

Your body carries the memories of the day.

Your tired muscles relax like soft beeswax in the warmth of the fire.

You and your companion are both tired and ready for bed.

You place two more logs on the fire.

Your companion goes to the beds to remove the bed warmers and rest them against the hearth.

You both gather your night clothes from a wooden armoire and remove your many layers of garments.

You slip into your night clothes and feel a draft from the raging snowstorm outside.

You gratefully climb beneath the cotton sheets and blanket and relish the warmth of the mattress that feels like a modern day heating pad.

Your companion follows,

But you whisper to one another about the day and how fun it has been to escape to another time and place.

You realize that even with drastic changes in lifestyle,

Time and space,

The connection and bond you have are familiar and strong.

The love you share is timeless,

Limitless.

Your eyelids become very heavy and you close them.

Snow whispers fade into whispering winds as you surrender to sleep.

The snow continues to pile up outside the log cabin.

The prairie dogs nestle beneath the earth and hills of snow.

Your animals rest in the warm dry barn and even you find yourself floating and drifting across the bridge to sleep,

Carrying with you the simple pleasures that you may be more aware of when you awaken to a new day.

There is so much to be grateful for.

I am going to count you down,

Feeling heavier and going deeper down with each count,

Drifting away,

Floating to sleep.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

Finding bliss.

Finding peace.

Finding respite.

Finding sleep.

It's time to dream away.

Good night.

Reviews

Fell asleep so quickly that I don’t remember any of the story! Thank you kindly Michelle for this lovely bedtime story! I woke up at 4am and going to repeat. 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Discovered this story that I had not heard before, only heard the beginning all night long, the excitement of flying through the air. This morning I heard the full story. It sounds so idyllic, though I bet pioneer life was quite harsh. Reminded me of one year in my childhood, when we got “Little House on the Prairie” through a French channel. The voices were dubbed, and my notions of French were very rudimentary, but the images were enough to capture my imagination…It’s middle March now, yet half of the country is engulfed under thick layers of snow, with unseasonably warm weather where I am…Time to dream away…Thank you, Michelle 🙏🏻🌟✨🌟💫🌟🙏🏻

I am ready for winter and what better way to get this season started than listening to a story about the first snow storm.

Love this!

Lovely— thank you.

Thank you, so restful.
Namesta