Winter Approaches

 

by Pa Rock

Winter Warrior

The clouds are beginning to mass in preparation for a serious onslaught of winter weather that is expected to begin in about two hours.  The forecast is for snow and then ice across the Ozarks and a big swath of the United States this afternoon and tomorrow, with accumulations (at least in the Ozarks) of up to a foot.

(It's a good thing the US is not on the metric system of measurement because if the forecast was "up to a meter," that would be much more serious!)

During the twelve years that I have been back home in southern Missouri, we have had only minimal snowfall.  That picked up a bit last winter,   Today's snowfall sounds as though it will be our most consequential since I have been back in Howl County.  Forty years ago when I lived in the northern part of this same country and worked as a high school teacher and principal, we had large snowfalls every winter that would result in the schools being closed for three to four weeks a year.  The climate has changed markedly since then.

This weekend should remind us of what things were like back in the day.

I went to the grocery store this morning, always an exciting experience when a big change in the weather is approaching.  At 8:45 a.m. Aldi's was insane.  The place was packed with dummies who waited until the last possible damned minute to get their storm snacks, and stockers were everywhere trying to keep goods on the shelves.  Chaos prevailed.  It was rude, crude, and brutal - much more entertaining than television!

Now I am at home basking in the warmth of a new furnace.  The birds have been fed, the dogs walked and fed, the larders are full, the car has a full tank of gas, and I am seated in front of my typing window banging out a blog, watching the world rush by, waiting on the snow to start falling, and thinking about hot chocolate, and wishing I had bought some.  Maybe I should make a quick run to town and get some!

Winter is not kind to wildlife, outdoor pets and livestock, and disadvantaged humans.   Stay warm and safe - and be prepared to share your blessings (and hot chocolate) with others!