Here's Hoping For Winter's Speedy End
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| January 17, 2018/Photo by Robert J. Nebel |
As of this writing, we are barely halfway through winter
2018. With that stated, the Atlanta metro area and much of the Southeastern US
has weathered multiple snow and/or ice events that resulted in school
cancellations, lost business days and stir-crazy parents with kids who felt
like shut-ins. Certainly today’s electronics can keep kids busy while being “locked
up” in the bedrooms, but too much time with electronics is a bad idea.
Unlike those in the Northeastern and Midwestern portions of
the United States, our snow/ice events ended thus ushering in winter sunshine
days. As we enjoy the current mild period, the looming question remains with us
as we soldier on through winter 2018: will there be more snow/ice events?
I’m placing my bets that we are due for at least one more
event before we see spring. Forecasters claim that we are entering a dry, less
active period of winter, but I find that hard to believe.
It seems to me that we are still in a more active, wetter
period that does not look to be ending any time soon. I hope that I’m wrong, but
I have a strange feeling about this year. We are coming up on the 25th
anniversary of The Storm of the Century – so maybe that’s what is giving me
this feeling. As I recall, it was quite mild before we were hit with a record
weekend snowfall event.
I confess that I never felt better once all that snow melted
after The Storm of the Century in March 1993. It reminded me of when I grew up
on Ohio’s North Coast. The sights of snow quickly melting left me with positive
thoughts. There was also a crispness and wonderful smell in the air when I knew
that winter was finally done.
Some of those fond memories came flooding back to me once
snow and ice from the January 17th snowfall event melted away by the
19th.
It’s without a doubt that 2018 got off to a rough start, but
what year starting out isn’t challenging these days? Aside from the weather,
things started out tough with the federal government with its shutdown. The
drama makes for great entertainment for political junkies and for those who are
bit more aware on the periphery.
The United States has “seen this movie before.” The most
previous shutdowns were in October 2013 and in late 1995 through early 1996. Obviously,
the folks who feel those shutdowns the most are those who work for the federal
government. I recall in late 1995 I was unable to go into a park on the
Chattahoochee River. Also obvious is that I do not take positions on these
issues, but it’s an interesting debate when these events take place. Here’s
hoping that compromise is reached and the federal government will be open for
business soon. Indeed, we all know that it’s not business-as-usual in
Washington these days, but it would sure be great to see government operate so
that everyone is able to thrive.
So even with a rough start to 2018, let’s all think positive
thoughts and some unused snow days!
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