Ah, a bit of winter wonderland at last! I had forgotten how pretty it is, how much fun it is for kids, and… oops… how inconvenient it is for adults.
Right. Snow. Uh-huh.
There are people crowding the stores the day before to ensure that they have food and drink to get through the week. You know, just in case the white stuff should stick, stay, and there’s no getting out.
There are signs going up on trees and posts as the flurries start to kick up their heels, neighborhood teens willing to shovel you out for a hefty fee.
Indeed. They’re seasonal entrepreneurs.
There are cancellations for schools, for meetings, for friendly get-togethers; delays in flights, and the prospect of driving on icy, potentially treacherous roads, this last certainly to be avoided if possible.
Moi? I’m grateful I no longer have to deal with chauffeuring kids or braving nasty commutes, though natch, like millions of us, once upon a time I did. These days — like many of you? — I’m well-equipped to work remotely.
We aren’t all in a position to work from home, but I remain surprised at the number of organizations hesitant to allow workers to do just that. Sure, you need managers with the skills to lead and supervise remote workers, but shouldn’t more employers have figured this out by now?
For those whose (curmudgeonly?) bosses just don’t get it, consider this list of reasons working remotely is a win-win… Say hello to productivity, better morale, greater loyalty, more efficient processes, lower cost, a greener planet, and terrific results!
There’s no question that certain types of jobs can be done remotely. All you need is a phone and a computer, and yes — discipline. For some of us, discipline has never been a problem, and uninterrupted concentration in an uber-quiet spot is guaranteed to produce a superior outcome.
The dramas of winter transportation aside… this little Warm Weather-Loving Seasonal Precipitation Observer is content to acknowledge the snowy scene outside — yes, like I said, very pretty — but I will muse on the whims of the weather from a big comfy chair, indoors, appreciating a window view. Even so, I’ve seen snow so rarely these past 20 years that sometimes I’m a kid myself at the sight of it, setting aside my laptop, stepping out onto the deck, and trying to catch snowflakes on my tongue.
It’s fun!
Well, for a minute or two.
Now, about those adult inconveniences. A necessary outing this morning required a slooooooow descent down a dozen dangerously slippery stairs, caution maneuvering an equally icy patch to get into my car, but a major grin as I drove by stalwart runners and dog walkers all bundled up, and so many snowmen!
I couldn’t help but flash back to my New England upbringing where winter was at its blustery blowhard best well into the official spring. That was a state of affairs that suited me as a child, less so as a teen, and not at all as an adult. Escaping those grueling months was the primary reason for my relocation ages ago to Parts Seriously South.
Still, I can appreciate an occasional dusting, a few inches that cover the ground for a week, and the cozy feeling of being safe and secure inside.
But more? Longer? Really?
When we’re oh-so-ready for shorts and tees?
Right. I decide to make a hardy homemade soup. I freshen my afternoon’s tasks with an oversize cup of Earl Gray. And I allow my mind to wander — who doesn’t daydream when it’s cold outside? Ah, yes… the sounds of surf, the scent of bougainvillea, and the blessed heat of a tropical beach.
Are you loving your late winter? Are you ready to embrace spring?
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As someone with 1 of my 3 adult sons living in Ft Collins, CO with a Ski Lodge in Breckinridge, CO and who goes there every week-end with his 7 yr old son and 10 yr old daughter who ski better than 75% of the skiers in the world, (LOL)…………I am totally with you on this topic! IMO, there is not one thing that I can name that is good about snow! In my view, it causes death, injury, discomfort, pain, accidents, sickness, disrupts businesses, schools, social functions, ruins vacation travel plans, and on and on and on. My other 2 sons live in Charleston, SC and Ft Worth, TX and they totally agree with me. I’m a Golfer, and snow and Golf do not get along. All 4 of us play Golf together frequently and ironically the guy in CO is the best Golfer but, I’ll only visit CO in the summer! Golf is actually really good in CO in the summer. Dec – April, I go SOUTH!
I know lots of snow lovers, Ron, some of whom are skiiers like your sons. I’m just not one of them and it sounds like you aren’t either! Bring on the spring!
I’m very much with you! I can enjoy snow for a day or so, but am quite content that it quickly melts in our southern region. I can appreciate the forced slow- down of a snow day, but get grumpy with the inconvenience it brings!
Yup! ☃️
I love snow, probably because we get it so rarely in Portland. This winter, we had a once-in-a-century storm that left 17 inches of snow on our yard, snowfall that stayed with us about a week, and I finally experienced many of the downsides of snow. Now I enjoy rather than rue the fact that when we get snow, it almost always melts within minutes.
To where did you move, D.A.? (I have a big backlog of posts to read…!) You look very nice, and rather content, in the photograph included in this post.