Tonight, I was intending to speak to you about real-life, real-world fitness. Instead, thanks to technological issues, we're going to talk about snow.
I can imagine half of you grimacing at the mere reading of the word, since 50% of my following is in a few states where the word "snow" is the rallying cry for everyone in the area to go maul their nearest grocery store for bread and milk. Snow has been a big hit in the ratings this last few days, because several of you haven't had this much potential for the fluff stuff in a number of years (read: decades). Ironically, until about dark plus two hours, we of the Hinterland had nary a flake today.
How bad a winter storm system is depends, largely, on your point of view and how well-prepared you are for it. I remember 1994, when a certain storm was closing in on Louisville and the meteorologist on TV was saying something to the effect of how we would "only see a light dusting" as I was watching it pile up in the back yard. Having visited snowbound regions before, I react rather calmly to major snow systems compared to others, but I have to say that incident soured my affection for meteorology in general. Now, living in the extreme north country, snow doesn't bother me when it falls as much as it aggravates me when it hangs around. In southern climates, people mostly ask "What are we going to do about it", while in the north, people wonder, "where are we going to put this?"
The thing that has surprised me the most, though, is how many people down south actually own snow throwers and plows. We were lucky to have a singular snow shovel when I lived down there. Some of you guys have posted pictures and video involving the operation of dual-stage snow throwers. That's just amazing.
I have done my best to refrain from joking about the reaction to this storm, as it truly is a big deal. People may poke fun at how an eighth of an inch of snow can totally freeze up a southern state, but from the southerner's point of view, it may as well be a blizzard. Yes, ten inches of accumulation is called "snowmageddon" in the south, while up north, it may just be "Tuesday". The difference is preparedness. Those in the north have the equipment to handle this kind of thing, while in say, Kentucky, for example, you may only have one or two snow throwers in a neighborhood. A city dependent on garbage truck-mounted plows is going to struggle more with removal techniques.
As for the whole "milk sandwich" joke (which I have only heard from my southern friends, by the way), people can't help but think back to that year when they were snowed in for a week, waiting for the National Guard to come in and help get things moving again. Does it happen often? No, but it happened before. Who knows when it will happen again? Emergencies happen and people prepare. Sometimes, unfortunately, we find out about it a little too late, and the local Kroger ends up looking like a set from The Walking Dead.
To all my southern friends, I wish a safe couple of snow days. Stay warm, play some card games with family and friends, and enjoy the sunshine when it comes out to melt things away. You'll get it way sooner than I do. If anyone down there needs some tutoring in snow removal techniques, I'd be happy to help you out. Classes start Tuesday.
1 comment:
Looks like you are having fun in the snow
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