ICY, I SEE

      In our state, much is being heard about yet another Winter storm last night, stretching into today.  Locally, we escaped the monster weather that occurred just a few miles away.  All night long we heard a downpour of rain with some smattering of sleet.  Sometime around 5 a.m., the electricity went out.  I called the utility company and soon everything was back up and running . . . so far; although there have been a few 'blinkings'.  Thousands in adjacent counties have not been as fortunate.

    Television news has been filled with images and stories of snow, sleet and ice, fallen trees, fallen power lines, damaged houses, dangerous traffic, closed and delayed schools, and potential flooding.  Even a truck 'salting' the roads slid into a ditch.  Yet again, the Governor has declared a State of Emergency.  'Winter weariness' long ago became a cliche, no, a reality.  'Spring Break' (the annual holiday that students and teachers alike rely upon for respite) is 'in the crosshairs', as an area newspaper headlined today.  There are MANY days to be 'made up'.

    For those with no particular responsibilities nor timetables, the slowing of the tempo has provided occasion for napping, reading, pondering . . . and gratitude to those whose occupations allow no such leisure, among those: Utility workers restoring power, law enforcement, highway crews, emergency workers, health care providers.  The next time that you have occasion to speak with any of those persons, say a word of 'thanks'.  Such makes 'good listening'.

        Satchel