It’s Groundhog day and we’re finally getting an honest to goodness blizzard. Two days ago, MJ and I took a walk down the creek parkway and we both got so hot we took off our jackets. My car thermometer said it was just a few degrees shy of 50 when I drove home.
Before you get all silly and ‘what will it take for you to believe in climate change?’ on me, let me inform you that a thaw like that in January here in Minnesnowta isn’t something new and different. This year was nothing compared to ’81, when it was nearly 60 degrees on the January day when my brother and his wife got married. They just celebrated their 35th anniversary. I should call them.
My point is that the occasional warm day is no more a change from usual than the subzero temps we had a little over a week ago. My additional point is that I’m lousy at remembering anniversaries and birthdays and stuff like that.
Anyway, the East coast has been pummeled by blizzards and I was jealous. But we’re finally finally getting some serious snow!
It started snowing while I was at the shop, doing my weekly order drop/check pickup. I actually watched the white stuff accumulate on the roof of the house next door while I was going over orders in the back room. I could tell it was coming down fast.
That was six hours ago and the snow hasn’t let up. It’s been pouring snow. I love it!
Oh, the drive home from Sam’s Club was iffy but no one was being stupid. It was extremely slippery but I avoided hills and made it up my driveway, so I’m good. Zack called me on his way home from work. He’d made it all the way to the park across the street but couldn’t get up the hill to get around the park.
I took out a huge corned beef brisket I had in the freezer, tossed it in a pot and it’s been simmering all day. I’ve already shoveled off the roof once and Zack and I cleared the driveway. Despite the initial slipperiness, the snow is the light and fluffy kind. We’ve gotten six or seven inches so far but it was all very easy to move. I’m sure we’ll have to go out and clear it all again, since the snow is still coming down. It’s not coming as thick as it was a few hours ago; I can see the park house across the street. For a while during my drive home, visibility was about a hundred yards.
The best part about this blizzard is that it could have happened three months ago but didn’t. No matter how much snow we get now, spring is right around the corner. Ash Wednesday is next week!
I love the seasons.
It’s easy to love winter when you have central heating, a freezer full of meat and a huge movie collection.
I’ve lived in the North all my life. I know how to do it.