Snow Fever

I will always cherish the memories I have of snow days as a kid.  I would hear about the potential snow storm, maybe even see it begin to sprinkle some white flakes on our front lawn.  With that hopeful thought, I would coax myself to sleep.  Waiting for the morning, the anxiety wasn’t unlike Christmas Eve.  The next morning, I would look out the window, and then run to the TV for confirmation.  Channel 8, the local channel with township bulletins, would show the magical words layered over the light blue background: all schools cancelled.  (“All schools cancelled” doesn’t exactly sound right, but go with it for a minute.)  I was always happy to see those words, maybe even involving dancing and screaming into the action.

For many people, snow is only fun as a child, and it becomes less fun and more burdensome as they grow up.  I think the tipping point where burden takes up the majority is when we get our driver’s licenses – we’re old enough not to be excited by snow, and snow causes hazardous driving conditions.

People are getting sick of the snow around here, and those on the west coast don’t hesitate to remind us of their good weather.  However, I don’t really mind the snow.  As long as one is careful on the roads, it is pretty much harmless.  Sure, maybe a tree takes down some power lines, but that can happen anywhere during any season.  Yes, we have to shovel the snow and dig out our cars but it isn’t really not that bad.  Maybe it is because I grew up around here and I am used to it – I’m sure being familiar with this environment plays a part.  However, I would prefer the occasional (or, as it has been this year, weekly) snow compared to the hurricanes that blow roofs off houses.  I am also scared of that earthquake that will take down California at some point in the future.

One thing that does bother me about New York/New Jersey weather is the occasional frigid temperatures – days when wind chill makes the air feel like it is cutting into your skin.  I can sure do without that, although it’s probably not as bad as some northern cities like Boston, Milwaukee, or Fargo.

Final note: yes, I am familiar with snow, but this morning was a different beast altogether.  I’ve scraped ice off my car before, but I don’t think I’ve ever had to crack the ice first because it wouldn’t get scraped.  Turns out my ice scraper has a small ice-picking shape cut out at the corners.  Who knew?

Tags: Freezing Rain, Snow, Weather