Think Healthy Thoughts
“Looking through my bedroom window, out into the moonlight and the unending smoke-colored snow, I could see the lights in the windows of all the other houses…I got into bed. I said some words to the close and holy darkness, and then I slept.”
~Dylan Thomas
Winter layered a blanket of snow over the region, and while adults need to dig out from under, kids took time to enjoy the best of winter which officially begins on December 21st at 7am. This is our winter solstice when the earth leans furthest away from the sun; it provides our shortest day, and longest night.
New fallen snow is beautiful enough for the first five minutes, maybe even ten or twenty, but then thoughts of shoveling, blowing, and plowing take over. Unless you are of a certain age, and then you can see beyond that drudgery to other activities that may include snowmen, snow forts, snowball fights, snow boards, snow shoeing, sledding, skiing, and sleeping a bit later on a snow day.
Taking care traveling is one of the concerns people should always have on the road so as to avoid accidents. The storm which began Friday afternoon dropped several inches before dusk, and young adventurers could be seen cruising the side streets of towns in ATVs. Normally exiled to wooded trails, ATV’s were given a righteous reason to take to the open road for a few hours of fun on the freezing streets. By Saturday traffic was back in motion as folks continued preparations during the last weekend before the Christmas holiday.
Folks should take their time getting around, either in car or on foot, until their is a more thorough cleanup. Many parking lots still have hard packed snow which is very slippery, and the same can be said for sidewalks and walkways. People should give themselves sufficient time to run errands or arrive at their destination; when walking on steps, always use the handrailings and plant your feet firmly on each step. Also, taking shorter steps at a slower pace allows for the body to react should a person hit an icy patch and lose their footing.
Snow may not have been welcomed during this travel season, and for many it as an added chore or obstacle they needed to overcome as they attended to errands. The buzz of leaf blowers has barely faded away when the smell and sounds of snow blowers took their place Friday night and Saturday morning.
There were many residents around still employing snow shovels, and one man digging out his driveway commented that he felt like John Henry amongst the roar of his neighbors snow blowers. Residents are reminded to use caution when shoveling and take frequent breaks, remembering John Henry died at the end of the story.
The snow did add that scenic element that people associate with the season, and surpasses all decorations that one can string about. It also provided the glorious gift of a snow day for students. The weather may disrupt business, slow down traffic, slop up your house, but it’s all a small price to pay for a snow day.
Enjoy the video below, and remember how good it can be.
Think Hot Java