Snow Worries!

I usually don't have any faith in TV weather forecasters. It seems to be  the only job where you can be wrong all the time, and still stay employed. Weather forecasters seem to  excel in an inability to accurately predict what the weather is going to do. This time, however, they hit the nail on the head. They said we here in the Irish Riviera were going to be walloped with one heck of a snow storm, and they were right.

Man, we were hit with one doozy  of a  snow storm! Thankfully, Perfect Wife and I have finished all of our Holiday shopping, so we could just hunker down and enjoy the storm. By "hunker down", I mean that I could complain about lower back pain and avoid snow-shoveling duty, while she went out and did the heavy lifting. Believe me, it is a pleasure to sit back  with a cup of hot cocoa and watch your significant other shovel snow.

That is a joke, of course. I helped shovel the snow. I spent almost five minutes out there.  As did Rocco the Wonder Dog. Although he hates most other versions of inclement weather, Rocco loves the snow. Why, we do not know, but we have stopped trying to understand how Rocco's mind works.

In writing the above, I realize this entry might come out as a bitch-a-thon about the weather. That couldn't be further from the truth. I love having a white Christmas! I also promise a more substantial entry next time.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

There's No Business Like SNOW Business!

As promised by the weather forecasters, we here in the Irish Riviera were hit with one doozy of a snowstorm! I estimate the snowfall at 2 feet, but Perfect Wife, who actually shoveled the stuff

(while I was up  in bed, "sawing wood"), puts it at more like a foot and a half. Accumulation aside, there's a lotta snow, and it's still snowing!

It's good this storm happened on a weekend, so not so many people had to brave the slippery roads to get to work. Not so good for retailers, though, who I'm sure were counting on this last Saturday before Christmas to boost their Holiday sales. PW and I attempted to go to our local mall, but the road conditions were so poor, we turned around and went home (after a visit to pick up a pack of cigarettes, of course). On Monday, we will join the legion of shoppers who were also thwarted from Holiday shopping. I just hope we can find a parking spot within walking distance of the mall.

Someone who is delighted with the snowfall is Rocco the Wonder Dog. I was afraid we would have a problem getting him outside in this inclement weather, based on his aversion to rain. It turns out, my fears were groundless. Rocco loves the snow! He burrows and sniffs, and rolls around in the stuff. The only problem? Getting the freezing, snow-encrusted human walking him to get him to go back inside.

As I write this, it is Sunday morning, and the snow continues to fall. When it will end, who knows? For now, here at my house, we will just hunker down, watch some Holiday specials and ride this storm out.

Then go to the mall tomorrow.

Ugh.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Etc...

According to the weather forecasters (who are never wrong), we here in the Northeast of the U.S. of A. are in for one whopper of a snowstorm! Being the helpful chap I am, I've decided to share some snow survival tips with you. (You readers in warmer climates can laugh all you want now. We will enjoy watching the tornado coverage in your little corner of paradise next Summer.)

Remember the following:

• When you hear news of heavy snowfall, IMMEDIATELY go to the market and get all the bread and milk you can. Even if you don't regularly consume either item, this seems to be what most people do, so follow the herd.

• If you have a lot of relatives in the house, be sure to stock up on liquor. Not for them, for you. You will need it.

• Before the snow even begins to fall, begin complaining to your nearest and dearest of lower back pain. This will ensure you can get out of snow-shoveling duty.

• If the power fails, call the power company right away! You are sure to be connected to someone instantly, who was unaware of the massive power failure, and will make your problem their #1 priority.

• Also, in the case of  an outage, and faced with the prospect of no heat, or worse, no television, be sure to make the comment, "This is like how people lived in olden times!", at least every 15 minutes. This was a family tradition when I was growing up.

• If you are lucky enough to keep your power on, make sure you watch the local news, to see some poor reporter standing out in the cold telling you just how bad the snow is. A valuable fact you couldn't figure out by just looking out the window yourself.

• If you are unfortunate enough to be driving in this type of weather, no worries! Talk on your cell phone! Drink your coffee! Drive as fast as you please! It's not like you'll skid out on a  slippery road and kill yourself or someone else. Admittedly, this is a tip I have learned from my fellow drivers.

That's about all I have for now. My plans are to throw a log on the fire, snuggle with Perfect Wife, and find out if Rocco the Wonder Dog is willing to go outside in this kind of weather.

I am not hopeful.