Our land of snowpack and icicles

So, here we are, freezing our tushies off. Some of us rail against the icy injustice requiring extra time to get from point A to point B, shoveling of sidewalks and driveways, care for plumbing that traverses exterior walls of the house, extra layers of clothing and unattractive footwear.The list goes on.  Some are celebrating the inches of moisture that will go into the ground and ease the way for spring growth of lawns, trees and crops. Or they are hallelujahing the layer of the white stuff that supports indulgence for their favorite wintertime outdoor activities.

Meanwhile, there are and will be more broken bones, sprained ankles and the like. Vehicles that refuse to start in subzero temps or have batteries die after eking out their last bits of power. Pets are brought inside and misbehave because they don’t understand that you are saving their furry butts. Heat tapes, salamander heaters and various devices are brought out to thaw frozen pipes. Brutal cold lavishes insult and injury to exposed skin and body parts. Furnaces run non-stop and chew through families’ budgets of expendable cash. Ranchers work to keep stock tanks open for livestock and to get them feed so they have the calories to keep warm.  Oh, I know there’s a lot more, but basically, the impact of tons of snow and below zero temps for several days is ugly for some of us.

For those who welcome this sort of extreme weather, as my mom would have said: “You can have it.” But there are some legit things to celebrate. Environmentally, it’s good. The more inches of snowpack on the mountains, the higher the reservoirs will fill, ensuring good fishing and water recreation for the coming summer. This sort of cold will kill off the pine bark beetles burrowed deep under the bark of conifers. It also kills off a certain number of animals carrying diseases and parasites, which lowers the risk to humans when warmer weather has us entering their habitats.

There’s that moisture that will help pasture and crop growth this summer. When I lived on a ranch during a several year drought, the saying went:  We’ll take any moisture, even hail. The snowmobilers are happy. Skiers (cross-country and downhill), snowshoers and sledders are  hitting their favorite slopes and trails. Kids are rejoicing in their snow days and building forts and snowmen and engaging in snowball fights.

Body shops are racking up revenue for fender-bender repairs, while insurance adjusters bemoan the number of claims they have to process. Businesses have to make do or shut their doors because employees are snowed in, or had a vehicle that wouldn’t start, or they fell and were injured, or they contracted the flu or a cold that put them down for a day or two. Law enforcement, firefighters and EMS are busy taking care of those folks who got stuck or had an accident out in the cold or couldn’t get to the hospital.  For those of you who can, stay home and stay off the roads. This white stuff and freezing temps, in combination, can be deadly.

Be smart and be safe. Have some hot cocoa, curl up in front of the fireplace (either for real or streaming on your TV), pick up that novel you’ve been trying to find time to read, pull out a board game and get the kids and spouse and inspire some family time, take a bubble bath.   You know, have a little staycation for yourself.

Like most things in life, it’s two sides of a coin. Some win, some lose. The good news? Spring is coming. Say it with me: “Spring is coming.” Hurry!