I’m not sure what prompts the harried – and yet predictable – run on the grocery stores around here whenever wintery weather comes into the conversation.
Maybe it stems from long memories of folks who experience the -24 degrees we had in January 1985, the surprise Valentine’s Day snow of ‘86…or the infamous “Blizzard of ’93.” Whatever the case, whether we get 1-3 inches, 4-7 inches or a light dusting…it’ll probably be gone by the weekend.
Still, when Lisa and I got a craving for some cake early last evening – and I dropped by the local Kroger store - the place was packed. I didn’t check out the respective sections for milk, bread and eggs but I wouldn’t be surprised if the shelves were in need of stocking.
It’s just crazy.
And if you think the run on the stores is crazy, the chatter on Facebook is almost frenzy-like…from folks rooting for school to be cancelled yet again to people predicting they will be stranded at work to the several of us bemused bystanders who just shake our heads in disbelief.
Holly has referred to me as a grump when it comes to the East TN snow frenzy. I guess that’s fair. I’ll admit. I do have Scrooge-like tendencies at times like this.
I was thinking, recently, about the 1985 event. Lisa and I wound up snowed in at my apartment near the UT campus. We were on a date that night and conditions deteriorated rapidly. In some ways, we were lucky to have made it to my apartment that night.
We rode out the -24° F at that place.
The Blizzard of ’93, by comparison, happened when I was finishing up my year and a half in grad school. Holly was a baby. Lisa had just started her job at UT.
Once we were all home together, we enjoyed being a snow-bound young family. Baby Holly enjoyed her first foray into the winter wonderland.
So, when I think of those lovely memories, then, maybe the whole notion of a “Snowmageddon” isn’t so bad. In any case, the approaching storm held off long enough to allow everyone around town to get safely home.
And when I walked up the stairs, there was a warm pot of chili (and a warm hug and a smile to greet me). That would melt the chill and warm the heart of any curmudgeonly commuter.
When I was able to change out of my work clothes and find a comfy spot on the couch to update Coach Jeff’s Blog, I was more than happy to join the chorus of “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!”
JG
Originally posted 2/12/2014
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