Originally posted elsewhere Sunday, March 9, 2008 and, horrifyingly, in the News-Herald shortly thereafter. Including the last line about that leads to a video which obviously doesn’t play well in newsprint. God, I love the News-Herald but the picture of editing excellence they’re not.
Living in the snow belt really isn’t that big of a deal most of the time. Sure, when everyone else gets two inches of snow you have to plan on six. When the time of year approaches snow season, friends and relatives bring up their objections at having gatherings at your house for fear of getting snowed in for days and weeks. Snow tires and all-wheel drive are not options – they are necessities if you plan on avoiding multiple tow truck fees.
And then there are times like yesterday. We actually seemed to receive the full amount of snow that the normally hyperbolic weathermen predicted. That in itself is noteworthy. But the best thing is that, for once, this doesn’t appear to be a snow belt only thing. No, the rest of Ohio got creamed. It looks like Columbus might have even gotten more snow.
So is this a case of schadenfreude run amok? No. Well, not completely. I simply believe that a large snowfall is a good thing every once and a while. Constantly pleasant weather makes you soft. All one needs to do to see this fact in action is travel to, let’s say, Atlanta on a day that the mercury dares fall blow 50. You would be convinced by the natives that the end of the world is upon us. Incessant moaning and shaking of heads while peering at the outside that… well, it looks just like it does at 70 degrees. And all this acrimony because you have to break out the long pants for your daily attire.
A good snow, however, makes you overcome it to go about your daily routine. When you shovel the driveway and clean off the car you overcome the conditions. You succeed over the elements. And in succeeding you become less of a little wuss.
Anyway, you also can go romp with the dogs who may not be completely with you in the heady concept of “bringing back the stick”
A wee bit of snow
Originally posted elsewhere Sunday, March 9, 2008 and, horrifyingly, in the News-Herald shortly thereafter. Including the last line about that leads to a video which obviously doesn’t play well in newsprint. God, I love the News-Herald but the picture of editing excellence they’re not.
And then there are times like yesterday. We actually seemed to receive the full amount of snow that the normally hyperbolic weathermen predicted. That in itself is noteworthy. But the best thing is that, for once, this doesn’t appear to be a snow belt only thing. No, the rest of Ohio got creamed. It looks like Columbus might have even gotten more snow.
So is this a case of schadenfreude run amok? No. Well, not completely. I simply believe that a large snowfall is a good thing every once and a while. Constantly pleasant weather makes you soft. All one needs to do to see this fact in action is travel to, let’s say, Atlanta on a day that the mercury dares fall blow 50. You would be convinced by the natives that the end of the world is upon us. Incessant moaning and shaking of heads while peering at the outside that… well, it looks just like it does at 70 degrees. And all this acrimony because you have to break out the long pants for your daily attire.
A good snow, however, makes you overcome it to go about your daily routine. When you shovel the driveway and clean off the car you overcome the conditions. You succeed over the elements. And in succeeding you become less of a little wuss.
Anyway, you also can go romp with the dogs who may not be completely with you in the heady concept of “bringing back the stick”