I grew up in North Dakota and have spent most of my life in the “winter world” of the United States.
I know SNOW. I know winter storms. I know storm watches, warnings, and waitings.
For me, snow is like that junior high/middle friend that is both exciting and annoying.
Some people love her, want to play with her, and cannot wait for her to show up. For these people, snow is the life of the party – maybe even the reason for the party. These people will actually travel hundreds of miles in search of the better her so that they can have even more fun in her. They buy expensive SUVs to hang out with her, and they have great toys to play with her.
Others cannot stand her, hope she never shows up, and wonder why she doesn’t just go away. Any sign of her coming sends these people running, hiding, and stocking up in hopes that she leaves – or better – just does not show up at all. These people will also travel hundreds of miles – to get away from her – and they leave for several months waiting out her departure.
I have a love/hate relationship with snow.
I love all the fun she brings – skiing, snowmobiling, and ice skating; however, I’m not so thrilled about travel bans and shoveling sidewalks.
Four years ago, Minneapolis had an unusual amount of snow over the winter. Before the first week in December, we could see the writing on the wall, and it was time for this girl to take action. The huz and I headed out to the outlet malls west of Minneapolis, and I bought my first pair of truly awesome boots as well as a coat that says, “I know snow on a very personal level.”
A month later, the huz and I took a very needed vacation to the Duluth, MN, area, and my then-recent purchases allowed me to enjoy snow like I had never done so before. That winter, and the winters that have followed, have been less painful because I had done some growing up, had given snow the respect she deserved, and could enjoy the fun of snow because of a great pair of boots and a winter coat.
Being prepared really makes a difference.
Today’s news shows that snow is having a temper tantrum in the Northeast. Although the reports also show that she decided to leave some states out of her blasts of mean (hurricane strength wind, thundersnow, and big dump of lots), many people are preparing to battle #blizzardof2015 as I write this post.
I read a tweet (from @ChrisCuomo) this morning as I prepared for this post: #blizzardof2015 is all about extremes. 6-8 inches in NYC but 18 on LongIsland and full day of snow and wind ahead for millions in New England.
Snow is that crazy friend – she is extreme, and people respond to her extremely.
Some are thrilled that snow has come their way while most are holed up and waiting for someone else to deal with the mess she leaves behind.
In the case of #blizzardof2015, I would rather be on the slopes than in the city.
It seems like it is all about perspective. I think we can all agree that snow has her good days and her bad days. Most of the time it has less to do with her than it does with us. When snow gets in the way of basic functions (will that nursing home get the supplies it needs or will the woman in labor get to the hospital?), she is a real pain.
And this is why snow is that junior high friend of ours.
When she is fun, wow – is she ever fun!
But – ruin our day with her extremes…well, then we have to run home and hide from her until she decides to play a bit more nicely with all of us.
slowingtheracingmind 