Let's Hear it for Global Warming!!

It’s January 7^th as I type this. One son is collecting discarded Christmas trees for his Cub Scout pack’s fundraiser and the other is helping me put away our own holiday decorations.    It’s also 60 degrees.  What’s wrong with this picture?

As far as I’m concerned…nothing!

Okay, it is a bit disconcerting to decide whether to wear regular pants or capris just two weeks post-Christmas. My scout was scrambling over three foot snowdrifts during last year’s tree pick up. This winter has been so mild my forsythia bush has been confused into producing flowers. And my sons are whining about the lack of snow.

So far, this year’s winter is the antithesis of last year’s. I can count on one hand the number of days that my children needed a heavy coat. My sons were dying for a white Christmas, and since we were lucky enough to spend the holiday in Central New York, the got their wish. But did satisfy them?  The minute we drove out of the “snow zone”, they complained because everywhere else was still green. Last week I noticed a dusting of flakes, so I yelled, “Come quick, it’s snowing!” Later that day, the temperature rose and the snow disappeared, much to my sons’ disappointment.

It’s been several decades, but I still remember how much snow means to a child.  That magical feeling when you turn your face to the sky, open your mouth and let the snowflakes flutter onto your tongue; lying on your back swishing your arms and legs back and forth creating snow angels: lying in wait for your father or your brother, armed with a perfectly packed snowball; flying down the hill on your sled, wind chilling your cheeks till they turn red. And of course, the best reason of all: snow days.

We had all that in abundance last year, especially the snow days.  We were starting to border on the ridiculous due to all the heavy snowstorms of winter 2011.  Is it any wonder that I’m thanking God and Mother Nature for giving us a break in winter 2012? (So far)

Lest you think I’m a Grinch, let me assure you that I enjoy the occasional snowstorm as well. I too love to see the trees and the ground shrouded in white for short periods of time. But as an adult, the snow loses some of its magic when you have to lift hundreds of heavy shovelfuls of it just to clear your driveway. The berm that forms down at the bottom (or “the widow maker” as I like to call it) created by the snowplow, is enough to make any man or woman weep in anguish just when there seems to be light at the end of the shoveling tunnel. Last year my husband had to shovel off our roof several times which left a six-foot mountain of snow on my deck that didn’t melt until May. 

Snowstorms also mean that my worry factor increases as my children ride the bus to and from school and my husband drives back and forth to work in Rhode Island.  I’m completely paranoid about driving in the snow, so instead I hunker down like a member of the Donner party and make plans to hole up till spring.

So honestly, I’m okay with a little global warming this year if it means being able to wear a light jacket in January and crank my windows open for a couple of hours to get some fresh air in my house. I’m happy not to sacrifice my mailbox to the almighty plow. I’m glad to save a few bucks on my heating bill. 

But all good things must come to an end. I haven’t lulled myself into thinking its smooth sailing from here until April. Just the fact that I’m writing about this wonderful snow-free winter guarantees that we’ll soon get walloped with a massive blizzard. 

So when you head out to fire up your snow blowers and haul out your ice melt, just remember you have me to thank.