So as I spent hours cleaning up from the latest weather gift of 12+ inches of snow, it really got me thinking about snow, and how my perception of snow and winter has changed throughout the years.
Snow Days
I remember as a kid enjoying the snow, actually looking forward to it. As a Chicagoan, born and raised, we just knew that the snow would come. Hopefully on a school day to give us that “Snow Day” we all wanted. I remember as a kid we had to watch TV as the scrolled through the list of all the schools, or listening to the radio, learning where in sequence your school would be listed or announced. To think that our kids today won’t ever know that…in this day of technology, that message is transmitted to the entire district and the world in an instant, and the information is available on demand.
Well as we get older, and I’m not sure if it started when I needed to work, drive to school, something like that, that the allure of snow started to dissipate. I do remember driving the rear wheel drive cars, and the ass end of the car all over the place. Some of it was fun and a challenge to make sure you could actually keep the car on the road. Pumping the brakes in the days before anti-lock brakes, all that fun we had.
Paczki’s and Paczki Day
Back to the cars…we are so spoiled, Anthony and I did a mini road trip to Weber’s Bakery for Paczki today. For those who don’t know what a Paczki is…for starters, you are missing out…but here is a link to educate you. 😉 Well worth the trip, but I thought as I drove how spoiled we are with today’s cars. All Wheel Drive, anti-lock brakes, anti-skid, traction control, etc. Our drive down I-55 was kinda fun…like one big wide lane…everyone jut kinda drove today. Left lane, middle lane, right lane, shoulders, whatever…just keep it on the road. I will say the the ride was totally worth it. Take a look at today’s Paczki.
I hate that damn Snow
Back to the snow and winter issue. We’ve had some mild years with respect to snow…Mother Nature is catching up over the last few weeks. As the snow piles up, I dread looking outside and seeing the snow. More to clear…The packing snow we loved as kids…forget that…I want the light fluffy stuff. The snowblower prefers that too. The issue is now that the snow in many places is so much higher, hard to find a home for it as the piles grow…I feel like it’s a workout to clear it. I am thankful that I don’t have a job that requires me to be somewhere at a specific time.
It Could be worse
I was texting back and forth with a prospect this morning who lives in Dallas. While here in Chicago we laugh at -17, like, just another winter day in Chicago. In Dallas, this has been devastating with the loss of power. He’s been without power for 36+ hours, his house temp is down to 49 degrees. Makes the 18 inches of snow we got seem so much more tolerable. I do remember once we had our furnace go out on a cold day…it got down into the 50’s in the house, and that seemed cold. Remember, we are Chicagoans. I wear shorts in Fort Myers when it’s in the 60’s, and people there look at me like I’m nuts.
I guess this is enough ramblings for the day…enjoy Paczki Day, or Fat Tuesday. Which only means tomorrow is the start of Lent, which means Easter is just 40 days away, which also means Spring has to be right around the corner, Right?