Snow as a Deterent

Nuclear Bombs. Hah!

If you want to cripple a society simply call forth Mother Nature. Lots of anything seems to do the trick.

This past weekend Mama rendered Washington DC immobile. Lots and lots of snow fell in the states bordering the Atlantic Ocean. From North Carolina north to New York City. A great Noreastern.

Delaware, the first state and one of the smallest, received from 25-over 30 inches of snow in less than 24 hours. Makes a pretty picture, if you are inside.

The State of Emergency was lifted this morning. Once lifted, non-essential or non-emergency vehicles were allowed on the road. Off I went to pick up more bird seed and cat food.

And, what is it with everyone buying bread and milk on Friday? There I was in the store buying nuts and raisins and iced tea.

Wilmington is snow bound. Church was canceled for this, Sunday, morning. Snow plows needed to find places to move the snow that fell on the city streets. People needed to shovel out their cars stuck on the streets, plowed in. Hopefully, operation Code Purple was in effect and the homeless men, women and children all had places to stay.

The suburbs always seem to fare better. There are lots of places to move the snow. In fact, in my neighborhood they were plowing in the middle of the night on Friday.

The snow started falling where I live at 4:30 PM on Friday. It kept falling until 3:30 PM on Saturday. Friday night was a restless night.

All noises seem to amplify in the snow. I kept wondering how much was falling and when could I start the snow blower in the am. The cats were restless as well, running around the house up and down the stairs, up and over my bed. Kathryn was spending the night away from home.

I remember the first time that I was "allowed" to use a snow blower. Until that time, it was shovel, shovel, shovel. Bend at the knees, lift with your whole body. Watch your back, stretch before and after.

My neighbor George Bowersox, now deceased, grudgingly let Jeff and I use his snow blower after his first heart attack. It was after a hugh snow fall. Everyone in the neighborhood was busy assisting the rest of us.

So, one of the first things I bought after my divorce was my own snow blower. A single woman does not like to feel helpless. Kathryn was living in Pennsylvania. The men in the neighborhood all had families to take care of. Their wives acceptance of assisting damsels in distress was limited.

I could not wait for the first snow fall. Of course, that winter none fell.

However, the following winter, there I was. One of the "guys", my face becoming crippling cold as the snow blew back into my face, my hands, hair and feet wet, no matter how wrapped up. My eyeglasses useless. Long warm showers after I was done.

Ah. I love winter.

As you get older this machine is a must. It allows one to "play" in the snow, but accomplish something as well. The driveway and sidewalks get shoveled. Access to the road ways. FREEDOM.

As I drove out of the neighborhood, I passed one house that was still snowed in. Two young men were "shoveling." Hah! There they were in flannel pants gently dipping shovels into the snow. They appeared to wonder how the snow was to leave the shovel. Where to put it? What wimps. They should have been outside yesterday.

In fact, that was most noticeable yesterday. All the teenagers were inside. Sleeping.

Older adults were outside cleaning up. Younger kids were outside playing with sleds, making snow people. Snowball fights.

Here are some pictures from the second floor of my house. The snowman below is now completely covered by this new snow fall. Just the tip of his head showing.