Monday, January 26, 2009
Cathartic snow
We haven't had it yet, and we really need it. We've had snow on the ground most of the winter, but it's been a dusting here, an inch there, piddling stuff. It's been cold, cold, cold. Kids have missed lots of school already and had seemingly dozens of two-hour delay days. But we still haven't had the big snow, the one that truly does act as a catharsis for everyone. To clarify the meaning of "catharis" I give you Merriam-Webster's definition 2b. "a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension." A cleansing snow fits that definition perfectly.

If you live in an area prone to snow you'll be familiar with the anticipation and tension that builds with every forecast of a big snow. In December we had several such forecasts which led to an inch or two inches, when they'd been predicting seven to ten inches. When you have that anticipation built up time and time again with no results people start to get cranky. It's not like big snows aren't a pain the butt, they are. But everyone is always waiting for that "worthy" snow, the one they can talk about, appreciate and commiserate about. The one where M has to drive me to work in the four-wheel drive truck.

They're calling for snow tomorrow. Two to three inches. Pffffft. Not helping.