Winter in the Northeast has become something of an unusual season. 2015 was bitterly cold for long periods of time, Unrelenting cold temperatures that extended well beyone the norm, it was still cold in June. Last year seemed more normal, this year anything but. February 2017 was balmy, the warmest February on record. There were days in the 60s. I actually rode my bicycle several days without complaint. I walked the dog in a sweatshirt on occasion. Of course those warm days were interspersed with some chilly days, which allowed for the perfect level of winter complainery.
Not too annoying, just right. Oh, it is so cold, I can't wait for spring, it is so dark at 6AM, it is so dark on the drive home. the heating bill is choking me. You know just the right level. Not achieving the level where you see another add for Key West and run to the phone with credit card in hand and book the flight.
There was little snow, only one storm requiring the snow blower. Such was the season that I ran it dry and put it away for storage until next winter. The crocuses and the daffodils started to pop up through the soil, the Cherry Blossoms of Washington DC were set to bloom. All of which died an ignominious death in the following cold snap. I had to laugh at the prospect of 2 million people descending on Washington DC to see cherry blossoms and actually seeing nothing. The hotel managers crying over cancelled bookings. Hey life is tough .
But then came March. The announced storm was a Noreaster with punishing winds and blizzard like conditions. Name of Stella, but who cares about a name. I secretly cheered for a major dump of snow would give me an old fashioned snow day. Little self centered I know, 41 million people inconvenienced just so I could get my snow day. Hey if it is not all about me once in a while, what is the sense.
As a bonus we would get some needed water into our system of reservoirs . Our lakes and rivers would be replenished. But central to the idea was the snow day that I was going to get. My own personal one day vacation, designed for and provided me personally..
My idea of the perfect snow day is waking early and finding that the snow has already accumulated beyond the point where is is okay to drive, the governor has declared a state of emergency an told people to stay of the roads. My Governor , Governor Crabby Christie would probably have the state police shoot you on the spot if you dared to go out on the roads. So I happily oblige, for I do not want Chris Christie calling me out at a press conference as the only jerk who went out and caused a snow plow to go off a bridge somewhere. Next head for he recliner to get the live updates from the Weather Channel, hoping to see Jim Cantore getting struck by lightning during a thunder snow event. After an hour or so of watching weather people in their LL Bean Artic wear and seeing snow plows riding in the background, it is time for Breakfast. Not a banana and bowl of Cheerios breakfast. One with omelets and fruit bowls and flaky biscuits slathered in real butter and strawberry preserves with a cup of coffee. Then back to the weather channel, which by now is boring enough to induce an hour nap. Read a couple of articles in a magazine, perhaps some music in the earbuds or a movie on TV.
,
Half hour later first run at the storm is done, Remember the switch next time.
Retreat to house, lunch, weatherchannel and nap. Hour later hear scratching at the door and remember to let the dog in. Ah, it gets no better, right pup ? Who shoots me a look like what were you thinking , even dogs get cold.
Another couple of rounds of snow shoveling and the storm winds down. Cup of hot chocolate and some snickerdoodle cookies and the perfect snow day closes out. Alas for my wife, it is not so much a fun time , for her employer instructs everyone to take their laptops home and work from home, which they do with stoicism not seen since the ancient greek. I did make it a point of not snickering as I past by each time to see her calculating, emailing and otherwise earning her keep. Her best snow days are no behind her and will forever be denied. No hot chocolate and snickerdoodles for her. Her job has sucked the joy out of snow day forever more.
But just so as to keep things civil, I did clean off her car so it was ready to take her to work in the morning, she did not even have to scrape her windows. Oh thank you she sarcastically snarls, at least you left me a snickerdoodle too.
The only problem is that the snow of March has lingered as the temperature has dropped into the January range and the chill in the air has not abated. So now we, who, have had an easy winter are getting the idea that it is okay to complain that spring has not sprung, even though it arrived yesterday. When is spring going to get here. Oh wait apparently today, for as I walked out the door the temperature was hitting 60. Till next winter and the snow day made for me, be well.