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Winter Storm Thoughts

I am writing this with my coffee, it is still dark, and I have my Christmas lights and fireplace on. I turned on the weather and it is on the move once again. This has been going on for a very long time. It is only mid-December, and I am already fed up with the craziness. Already we have had two storms that have shut everything down with snow, blowing snow and bad roads. Then temperatures plunged to numbers similar to those in the Arctic. I love the thought that I don't need to go out in weather that isn't suitable, but that doesn't stop me from talking about it. 

I think the best way to describe weather is, "mysterious". How on earth can it go from -40 one day to 0 in 3 days. I have always said the weather is bipolar. It must be exhausting to go up and down the thermometer like that. In the last week there has been nothing but extreme weather. Last Sunday it was a very bad storm with mild temperatures, snow and blowing snow. Monday was much the same. By Wednesday we were in an "Extreme Cold Weather" alert and this weekend it was predicted to go to 0 again. I think my vehicle is indicative of the weather patterns. The first layer of filth is salt which came in the end of November storm. The next layer is mud that came from the salt melting the snow. Next up was extreme cold weather so I didn't dare wash my vehicle. Now a new layer has appeared which is melted snow and ice. I realize the washing of a vehicle is a first world problem. There was no point in washing my vehicle until it got colder, much colder, and then the car washes are closed because guess what they don't operate in such cold temperatures.  

                              

I am not very brave anymore. When I worked, I never missed a shift because of bad roads, somehow, I always got to work. When I couldn't travel in my own vehicle, I went in a big truck, couple of times on a snowmachine and my personal favorite, following the tractor to the highway. Once during a horrible blizzard, I was stuck at work for 30 hours. I was the only RN that was there for the entire time. Not sure how we all survived that little experience, but we did. I once went to work a night shift in May. I wore sandals to work and fought my way home in a snowstorm the next day. I remember thinking when I left work to head home, in my very inappropriate footwear, "I will go as far as I can and when I am stuck someone will pull me out". When I turned off the highway and looked at what seemed like an impossible road to travel, I just gunned it and away I went. I made it, not sure how, but I was home to stay for the next 3 days as that was as long as the May storm lasted. 

I remind myself when I question why people are out on the roads, they could be going to work. Possibly a kid's hockey game, nothing will stop that from happening. Truckers make their living on the road, so they will be out there until they either end up in the ditch or the road is closed. 

For me my life hinges on the weather. I would much rather travel in -35 than 0. At zero there are too many possibilities for bad weather, whereas in -35 you could just end up with frostbite in a few minutes. I love to watch a storm from my recliner. I think it is important to have a reason to get outside. I haven't figured that out yet. I also understand why some people go to warmer climates for a few months. Currently, in my life I enjoy the four seasons. Prairie folk are extremists. Good thing because every one of the seasons in the prairies is extreme. Who would want it any other way, what on earth would we talk about.  





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