While riding to the Southeastern Pastel Society meeting yesterday evening, one of my friends remarked that she can't stand winter and will be glad when it's over. It was 70 degrees outside and the sun was shining. Granted, we'd had a week or two of colder temperatures – in the teens with a cutting wind – but our lows are usually in the 30s with highs in the 40s and 50s. Sixty-plus degree days aren't unusual.
Meanwhile, my brother and his family recently spent three days without electricity or phone service in –0 weather with a wind chill of at least –20 degrees. They had approximately 10 inches of snow followed by several inches of ice. Their generator ran out of gas and they couldn't get out to purchase more. When the roads were finally cleared, they had to drive to the next county to find gas. My beautiful sister-in-law learned the hard way that a generator would not support a hair dryer. Their gas fireplace became their only heat source.
The above photographs came from my Ohio friend, Mary Frances Rauch. Looking at them makes me long for the utter beauty of a Northern winter. Yes, it is colder. Yes, it can be really miserable. It can even be life threatening. But having said all that, there is nothing that can compare to sunlight and moonlight sparkling on newly fallen snow and ice. It's a fairyland that almost makes your heart stop and being marooned with your family can be a really special time.
With no TV, nowhere to go, and nothing else to do, you're suddenly faced with the need to talk to each other more, read, play board games, and improvise to create meals from whatever is on hand. Keeping warm is Job 1. Getting through the emergency becomes a team effort and everyone pitches in. It's a good feeling.
I miss it.
Meanwhile, my brother and his family recently spent three days without electricity or phone service in –0 weather with a wind chill of at least –20 degrees. They had approximately 10 inches of snow followed by several inches of ice. Their generator ran out of gas and they couldn't get out to purchase more. When the roads were finally cleared, they had to drive to the next county to find gas. My beautiful sister-in-law learned the hard way that a generator would not support a hair dryer. Their gas fireplace became their only heat source.
The above photographs came from my Ohio friend, Mary Frances Rauch. Looking at them makes me long for the utter beauty of a Northern winter. Yes, it is colder. Yes, it can be really miserable. It can even be life threatening. But having said all that, there is nothing that can compare to sunlight and moonlight sparkling on newly fallen snow and ice. It's a fairyland that almost makes your heart stop and being marooned with your family can be a really special time.
With no TV, nowhere to go, and nothing else to do, you're suddenly faced with the need to talk to each other more, read, play board games, and improvise to create meals from whatever is on hand. Keeping warm is Job 1. Getting through the emergency becomes a team effort and everyone pitches in. It's a good feeling.
I miss it.
