I like snow, but ....

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

I’m assuming everyone is writing and/or talking about the weather we have been treated to during the past week. I won’t disappoint. The abruptness of the change last Wednesday night was, shall we call it, sudden?

Even though it was hard to believe, the forecasters hit it on the head Wednesday evening; they knew what they were talking about.

But looking out the window Thursday morning brought the truth home. The ground was white. Even white enough to cover the abundance of sweet gum balls on the lawn. But that’s another story.

After sticking my nose out the door, I ventured out to the weather station, not believing that the indooroutdoor could be correct with a reading of 18 degrees. Particularly so, since thefrigid - make that f-r-i-g-i-d - north wind made my eyes tear up and my breath freeze into mini snowflakes.

The NOAA thermometer registered the same as the indoor. But I know they both must have been frozen at 18 and not the -5 that was freezing my breath on my beard. If I had one.

I grabbed the camera and went out to the car, which was covered with a skiff of snow. The rear glass was totally covered so I decided to write a message in the snow and take a picture for this week’s paper.

I started with a “B” and added half an “A” before the fluffy flakes began scattering, which meant, “There goes that idea,” so I’ll just relay a message of what I think of the cold: “BAH! HUMBUG!”

I have a little space left so I’ll add a few more lines. I really like snow. The twofeet of snow last February was beautiful. But I’m not interested in a repeat performance.

Yes, even though I’ve reached the point that if I were imbedded in a snowdrift with just the top of my head sticking out, you wouldn’t be able to find me ... even with that scenario, I still like snow. It’s the cold, and the wind, and the slick roads, and the doubling fuel bills, and the fact that it takes 10 times as long to shovel a path to the weather station ... It’s all those that I don’t like.

I like a 3-inch snow, with the sun shining, no wind, the roads clear and a promise of 60-degrees within 24 hours. Who says I’m hard to please?

Spring is coming. Along with ticks, and chiggers, and lawn mowing, and blackberry cobblers and fresh veggies from the garden.

Who says I’m hard to please?

Dodie Evans is the editor emeritus of the Westside Eagle Observer and may be contacted by e-mail at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 5 on 01/18/2012