THE 'SUNNY SOUTH' ? ! . . .

    Last week when we had only a 'dusting' of snow along with single digit temps, I had a chance brief conversation with an 'old timer' in the parking lot of a grocery store.
I made a 'throwaway' comment about the weather and he bemoaned, "I moved heah from New Hamp'sha to get away from this. I thought I was moving to the  'sunny South'."  I wonder what he is thinking of today's 'event' which began about 8 a.m. today and is still going strong now at almost 4 p.m.

   A few minutes ago, I stepped onto our deck and measured 6 3/4 "  on the railing.  According to the Weather Channel, we can expect the storm to last until 9 tonight.  Now, before some of you in more frigid zones 'tut-tut' , remember, you know what to expect in Winter.  Last week-end the temps here were in the mid-70's.  This abrupt change constitutes 'cruelty'.  Even as this system approached, meteorologists were advising that there was no need to stock up on the traditional 'milk and bread' because this would be minor and of short duration. A snowfall in excess of 1-2" is a major event for us. Now the tv newspeople have a grand old time showing road conditions and institutional closings.

   Knowing that a storm was nearing, I cancelled my Wednesday client appointments and scurried home last night  (Tuesday). Only as the system moved closer did we begin to hear hints of the potential depths. Consequently, I am safely in my home with my wife, our dog and  ample coffee, hot chocolate, and meals rather than being alone in our office building had I opted to challenge the forecast and remain there.

    There is something almost magical about the quiet that accompanies a snowfall. Of necessity, life assumes a slower tempo. Naps become a 'basic' rather than 'luxury' and I may soon follow the dog's example. Apparently, there are a few brave souls  driving due either to obligation or fool-heartedness.  I am not among their number. Southerners' inability to navigate on snow and ice has become the stuff of considerable jest.  Several years ago, I did a 360* on a snow covered rural road without injury either to me or the automobile.  I said, " 'Thanks', and Lesson learned!"  

   Our small town is  scheduled for mandatory water restrictions beginning this week-end.  I wonder what effect (if any) the eventual melting will have on that circumstance. Drought conditions typically occur during Summer's furnace. 

    Friends and relatives are posting photographs of children playing in the snow . . . making 'snow persons', sledding, etc.  My wife and I decided at lunch (there really was no need for discussion; it was unanimous) that Tommy's sled will remain under the house despite a perfect sledding hill out front.  Long gone are the college times when we 'borrowed'  trays from the school cafeteria for sledding down the perfect campus hill. March, 1960, remains in the lore of those of us 'of a certain age' when it SNOWED on each of the first three Wednesdays of the month.

  But for those of us now of disinclination to venture out, there is consolation in knowing that the season of the Jonquils is just around the calendar's turning . . . even in New Hamp'sha .

Noon on January 17,  2018

3:30 pm on January 17,  2018



Stay warm, dry and safe !

Satchel