Will It? Or Won't It? Yes, Snow!

It's been a snowy while since I last posted.  In that time, I think I've written about five posts - all in my head - about snow.  The subject of snow lends itself to a number of themes, all of which are grounded in my now.  Well, to be fair, snow is factoring in everyone's now throughout the middle and northeastern part of the United States.  It's also snowed about three or four more times since my last post, including an ice storm, high winds, thunder, rain and today, something of a thaw, thank goodness.  More is forecast for Tuesday and Thursday.

The weather systems are becoming as regular as clockwork.  Perhaps there is an evil master mind somewhere orchestrating the Winter of 2010-2011 in North America.  Or perhaps it is all being caused by a commercial conglomerate.  Just think.  The food stores are doing a roaring business because we are all loath to go through a snow storm/blizzard without enough food in the "house."  And who's to say that we'll be able to get to the stores after it snows.  Then there are the tools required to deal with snow both for the home, businesses and transportation, and the beat goes on.

Snow is not a villian.  (Yes, even in the face of my reaction at my last post.)  Snow just is.  It happens.  It is a natural phenomena.  Our reactions to snow are what cause us agita - myself included.   I think what has been blowing us all away is the sheer amount of it.  I live in a generally temperate area.  In the past, if it snowed - it did so maybe once or twice.  This year it's been incredibly invasive since the day after Christmas.  There's so much snow that it has become a huge, tangible presence in our lives.  What was first greeted with delight is now greeted with groans.  Not only has the snow changed the landscape, it's changed how we behave, how we exercise, how we eat, how we drive.   It has us on hyper alert.  Basically, it forces us to change how we live, and changing our behavior is not something any of us do willingly.

All this snow is an education.  For some of us, the snowy weather's been a re-education in how snow can really impact our lives and livelihoods.  Snow is also a rather awe-inspiring reminder that there are some things over which we truly have no control.  It also makes me deeply appreciate the fact that I do not live in a place where 10 to 20 feet of snow is an annual occurence.   Yes, I am coming to accept the fact that the snow simply is .... and I will now try to dream of sandy beaches, palm trees, soft warm winds and delicious swims.