When life throws you snowballs...

[At the end of my street, 4:15pm; 12/19/08]

Well, at least I know what that knot in the pit of my stomach was. Honesty and clarity appreciated, however unwelcome the news. Release and... dignity, this time. And a free evening tomorrow to spend with friends instead.

---

We were let home early from work today with a big snowstorm approaching. Last year around this time, we had a mid-day storm that resulted in six-hour commutes for thousands of people. Lesson learned, employers let people stay home or sent them home before the flakes started flying. I knew better than to go to the grocery store, but went anyway. I wanted to make chili. Cars circled the lot, parked illegally, the lines at the checkout were long. But mostly people were laughing and generous, patient. The first snowstorm, giddy like children. After unloading the groceries, I fell asleep on the couch only to be awakened by gawdawful scraping outside. A neighbor shoveling the inch or two of snow off his porch. I bundled up and went out for a walk in the snow with the Christmas lights all around. We'll have a white Christmas this year.

Comments

[marja-leena]

The first paragraph puzzles... hope it's not bad news.

A White Christmas for a lot of folks, very likely in Vancouver too! I think you said you were flying somewhere, hope the weather is not preventing that!? Oh, is that why you have a free evening tomorrow?

[leslee]

No, not flying until Christmas Eve. I had a date in the city, 4th date, but it seems an ex-girlfriend has reappeared on the scene and that's the end of that.

[Lorianne]

Oooh, ouch. I missed the back-story on the first paragraph, but I know that ending.

I wondered if you'd be stuck in the evening commute. We left NJ early this morning and drove like hell to get back to New England before the snow started. We were lucky.

[maria]

Well, I was worried on account of that first paragraph, but I see the explanation in the comments. I suspected as much, while also fearing that it might have been bad news on the job front.

Enjoy the snow -- and I remember that horrendous mid-day storm last year, when I was in Boston, but safe in my hotel.

[Dave]

Sorry to hear about the stuff in paragraph 1.

I'm jealous of your snow. We just got freeezing rain this time.

[Bob Eggleton]

It's about 10 inches here(RI). And largely tapered off and streets are clean and bare which is a surprise. Ah. A plane landed which means the airport is open.Good news meaning we are not paralyzed as in times before.
Not only does it not feel like Xmas it doesn't even feel like a Friday. Feels like a Monday. Got nothing done but administrative crap all week. Watched MAMMA MIA! and am jonzing to go to Greece.

[Relatively Retiring]

I can't remember the last time we had a white Christmas in UK. I have these tiny unused sledges in the bike shed, bought for my own little fellows, now, hopefully, saved for grandchildren yet to appear!

[leslee]

Thanks, all. We got about 10 inches of snow. It's beautiful, but the temperatures have dropped into the teens (F) and the wind chills are now below zero so I'm not sure I'll be out in it much. More snow due tomorrow...

[Julie]

Sorry to hear the bad news, but honesty is always welcome, isn't it?

Such a shame you are so far away, we could have had nice girl's night in with face-packs and pizza and a soppy, romantic DVD

Maybe one day!

And yes, I am also jealous of your snow, but that's taken as read, n'est-ce pas?

[Lucy]

Glad there was dignity involved though.

Very envious of your white Christmas, enjoy!

[joanna]

Paragraph One is over and done,
and Paragraph Two is over and through,
So have you some glee writing Paragraph Three.

Happy Holidays!

[Lady P]

{o} - that's a stone with a hug.

[leslee]

Julie: "honesty is always welcome, isn't it?" Well, yes and no! And thanks, that sounds like a splendid girl-hang and I wish you weren't so far away.

Lucy: Yeah, dignity. pff. ;-) Yes, I've had worse happen. And yes, the white Christmas will be nice, at least for those with electricity and heat - a recent ice storm left many without power for days.

Joanna: Nice! I worked on that yesterday. :-)

LadyP: Thank you. Much appreciated.