Monday, February 13, 2006

Winter is finally here

I was begining to think that winter had just past us by this year. Since October we've been having some really unusual weather for the Appalachians. Temperatures in the mid 50's to 60's and no snow.
Which is all well and good for me, because I really don't like snow. I detest driving in it. I grew up in Pennsylvania and remember winters where it would start snowing in October and we wouldn't see the ground again until May... (I know some of my readers from the northern climes like Michigan, Minnesota and Alaska are laughing even at that...)
So it's been great so far this year.
That is until Saturday... Snow began to fall in ernest Saturday morning and it's still flurrying now Monday morning. We've got about 12" of the white stuff here in Athens, nothing like what my old home town of Philly or NYC got, but enough to make it miserable.
The last really bad snowstorm I survived was the blizzard of January 96' where my full-size Ford Bronco sat out in front of my house in Philly for three weeks buried under an eight foot snowdrift...
Anyway, it snowed on and off all last night making my shift all the more miserable. I did notice something that never seems to change anywhere I live when the very hint of snow is in the forcast. The stores were completely out of bread, milk and eggs once again. It's the French Toast gene kicking in... Go here for that rant from last year:
The only time I'd ever really want it to snow is if I was in a cabin somewhere out deep in the woods, an nice roaring fire in the fireplace and a special someone to cuddle up with.
But since I have none of those at the moment, snow, please go the fuck away!
Hope you all had a swell weekend and stayed warm!
Copyright 2006 Thomas J Wolfenden

11 comments:

Courtney O. said...

Wow - I wouldn't want the blizzard-like snow, but some flurries would be nice.

Sherri Sanders said...

I totally agree about the snow! I'm ready to see it "go the fuck away". LOL

Becky said...

Quite possibly the only redeeming quality to the snow... I got to see Sam-the-Man have his first snowball fight and build his first snowman. But I'm over it now -- bring on the summer!

Dirk said...

I haven't seen snow in nearly twenty years.
When I was growing up, we had the day off school every time that it snowed (as the school bus couldn't get through.), I had a grand total of three days off school.

Kev said...

After my years in Alaska, I must say that I like the fact that it snows here in the South Jersey area and then goes away again. Fresh-fallen snow makes almost any landscape look beautiful for at least a little while. But once the kids and cars attack it - once the rock-salt and road muck has set in - it's just not the same. At least here it does the decent thing and retreats after a few days.

Back in Alaska we claimed to have a fifth season. Situated between the cold of winter and the warmth of spring is break-up - the ugliest time of year. When it freezes every night and melts every day, when all sorts of organic matter in varying states of decay appear from underneath the disappearing snow, when cars sport the Alaskan two-tone (dark brown wet muck across the front and lower half of the car, light brown dried muck along the upper half and back of the car), it's just plain disgusting outside.

There are a few things I miss about Alaskan winters, though. Midwinter nights when a high-pressure system is parked overhead. The full moon reflects off the snow that coats every rooftop, treetop, and yard, making everything appear light blue. And nothing beats the Northern Lights.

cmk said...

BEST part of winter: NO BUGS! Even beyond the lack of bugs, I really don't mind winter--even the fact we have snow around 6 months of the year. But then, I don't really have to leave the house if I don't want to. :)

Cheryl said...

I wouldn't really say I'm laughing, just smilling. I didn't have a problem with Philly winters, cause it wasn't as cold as MN and it's the cold I really hate...

Okie said...

Sunny and 65 here today. It's supposed to warm up to 80 by Thursday.

But then:

Our forecast for this weekend is for the HIGHS to be in the forties! How bad is that gonna suck? I may have to move farther south. hehe

Lindsey said...

We barely got any snow at all. :0( I was so disappointed.

berly02 said...

A cabin somewhere no one else can find sounds perfect for a lot of snow.
Hope your truck stays unburied this year!

tsduff said...

I was born and raised in California - maybe that is why I think snow is only something to play in on the holidays when we go to the cabin in the mountains. I love warm weather, no snow. Driving in snow is a nightmare... for me and for the poor others out there trying to avoid me all over the road - LOL. Of course if I am enjoying a short outing in the snow, I want there to be a warm place to go in to - hopefully with a hot crackling fireplace to warm up in front of. I'm really okay as long as my feet are warm :-)