I know I could get a giant snowball lobbed directly at my head for saying this, but I don’t really mind the snow. In fact, I kind of like it.
This IS Iowa, after all, and it IS winter. We have become so accustomed to not having a real winter in recent years that when one finally does strike, we’re flabbergasted. In fact, we’re downright paralyzed.
I do like winter, and I do like snow, but even the most die-hard fans realize there comes a time to say, “Enough is enough.”
Granted, I’ve been one of the fortunate ones who even as a commuter haven’t put a car in the ditch, in a snow bank or into the side of another vehicle. I’ve not fallen on the ice or pulled a muscle shoveling my driveway (thanks to generous friends I’ve only had to do that once, and that was only because I got out early enough to beat the plow).
When the weather (and by that I mean temperature) is right I enjoy going sledding, taking the dogs for a walk or even just walking down the streets of downtown Cedar Rapids to pick up something for lunch – an admission some of my co-workers question. Cooler air gets your blood pumping and your heart moving, and a brisk walk just feels good.
So when it comes to beating the winter doldrums I guess I’m at a loss. I encourage my kids to go out and do something in the snow. We aren’t stymied by the flakes that fall, only when they accumulate to make the roads treacherous. Even then we travel within our small town to visit friends or pick something up from our local grocery store.
I do have to admit, though, that I’m ready for spring. I prefer the warmer temperatures, safer driving conditions and variety of colors – and no, the whites, grays and browns of city snow does not count as “variety of colors.” So when it came time for me to fly to Phoenix for a long weekend, and the kids to go stay with family and go to an indoor water park, we were more than ready.
So now I guess I’m saying it. Enough is enough.