Iowa

Iowa

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Winter

I debated posting, but decided to talk about the snow anyway since I couldn't think of anything else about which to post.
In keeping with my goal of things to be grateful for, I have wine, electricity and food. We have had 22 1/2" of snow so far and we are getting more. Again, things to be grateful for....the shoveling is done for the moment.
I have realized that there are some things of which I have no control. Weather is one of those. Once I accept this, I can sit back and wait for spring. A large glass of wine helps in this endeavor.
There is something about weather that brings people together. Several years ago power in our neighborhood was off in the summer for two days. People emptied their freezers and had a street cookout. Steaks, chops, hamburgers, hot dogs...all cooked and shared. I wasn't invited. But I heard it was nice.
I have an annoyingly chatty friendly neighbor that lives across the street. I have to time my shovel time so that it does not coincide with her shovel time. She chats with the mailman daily, with the UPS man daily, with anyone walking up or down the street...and if she can catch someone trying to leave in their car, she has been known to flag them down. Frankly, I don't want to hear her constant whining tidbits of gossip and complaining. But then it takes all kinds of people to make a neighborhood.
We tend to look out for one another here. We notice if someone hasn't been home for several days without notice and we tend to share phone numbers, keypad numbers for the garage, wine and even food when necessary. I like my neighborhood and the thought of packing up and moving south puts me in a tailspin!
Spring will arrive. The flowers will pop through the earth, the hostas will again be green and the magnolia will blossom in all its splendor.
Ahhh, the winter of 2010. It will be one that will not easily be forgotten.
Stay warm and be safe.

16 comments:

Twigs said...

I agree, Mia. Spring will come and we have no control over the weather. Just think, the hostas and flowers will feed the deer! Have another glass of wine, grab a good book and hibernate for the rest of the winter. We are bracing for the next storm too.

Cathy said...

Our neighborhood is great too, Mia. We all try to help out, but not intrude. I would be hard pressed to move from here. The snow is unbelievable! I could complain, but to what end. The kids are enjoying time off from school and fortunately, it has not been too cold, so they are enjoying the snow.

Ben said...

There isn't much we can do, just wait it out. Try to help one another. Want to share that wine, Mia? The dog nearly got lost in the park in the deep snow, but he loves to run in it. How about that super bowl game! Not as good as when the Steelers are in it, but a pretty good game. And some of the ads were hysterical. E-trade babies good as always.

Jen said...

We are keeping our kids busy, sending them all over the neighborhood to shovel snow. Makes them very tired at night. My favorite ads were the dorito ads. Especially the one where the little boy says to the man who comes to take his mom out.

Lori said...

I think even the kids are getting a little tired and bored here, Jen. I saw the Troy/Punxsetawny (have no idea how to spell it) and I thought that was hysterical.

Twigs said...

We are getting another 10-15 inches here in Philly. You don't have to share that snow, Mia. I loved the Snickers commercial with Betty White!

Carrie said...

I have a neighbor like that, Mia. Sometimes I talk to her, but sometimes I avoid her. We are not having snow here, just got over a lot of rain and now there are mudslides. It's been a brutal season for everyone. I didn't watch the superbowl, I'm not into football much, but I did see a review of some of the ads. Some were great, some not so great. If you need wine, Mia, I have lots!

Bill said...

Good game Sunday. I liked the Dorito ad myself. Snow seems to have stopped temporarily in my neighborhood. They are saying maybe some freezing rain. This too shall pass. I hope.

Shelly said...

I am partial to the etrade babies. I think they are hysterical. I want more and more of them, although I have no stocks and no desire to trade. But, if I did.....
There is a nosy, gossipy neighbor in every neighborhood mia. Hide, and do it well.

Michele said...

I think I might be that chatty neighbor... hmm. My apartment complex is starting to get ugly. People are coming together, but only if you're someone who cleared a spot. If you are someone who did not and you take one, expect flattened tires. There was yelling when I returned home from work yesterday. I know it is an inconvenience to everyone, but I think it is beautiful. I think it helps people to get back to basics a little bit and do the simple things in life that used to make us happy before we were infiltrated with all sorts of media, busy over worked days, and the nagging need to always be going somewhere.

That said, I have worked every day since Saturday, and my job involves driving around in it all day. Still love it though! Be safe, stay warm!

SassySam said...

Would you believe, they closed the mall! Seriously, I hope everyone stays warm and dry. I understand it is really bad on the east coast. For us, it means lots of sledding, snowmen, snowball battles and building elaborate igloos.

Kevin said...

Man, I don't ever remember this much snow! I think I have been shoveling for months. At least it sounds like it. And I am getting tired of monopoly.

Kevin's wife said...

I think everyone from the midwest to the east coast has been shoveling all week.

ginger said...

Yes, we all have been shoveling over and over again. It is getting a little tiresome. But beautiful!

I always enjoy the Clydesdale Horse ads. There is always a moral like keep on trying and you too can grow up to be a big horse.

Spring seems like a faraway dream but I know if we dream it, it will come.

Nate said...

Isn't that from a movie, Ginger? Twigs and Tigger's cities are on the news, and it looks awful. Hope you guys are okay. Looks like the worst is over for now for our area. Take care everyone, and stay warm.

Mark said...

Take it easy shoveling out there everyone, that snow is heavy and deep. We don't have as much as you do on the East Coast, but we have had our share here in the midwest. Hang in there, this too shall pass. Budwiser ads and Doritos ads are the best!