The Hawk

At this time of year, what I'd like to do is be oblivious, go down the basement, and sit in front of the far doing some crochet work.  Sometimes I can.

But living here, there isn't much chance of that a lot of the time.  Why?  Because I have to be like a hawk and watch what the weather is doing.  Thankfully, down in the basement the big window doors of a French door allow me to see if it is snowing.  And I glance over that way a lot.  Another thing is that our cat, Fred, believes that the weather in Ohio changes even more often than it does.

He goes nuts being stuck in the house and he thinks that if he just tries the door one more time, it will be something more tolerable.  He has this whine that is just the absolute worst in terms of annoying.  It just grates on my nerves!  So then, say, I do let him out for a bit.  He'll either run up the steps and crouch pitifully by the front door or he'll run out into the yard for some distance and stand there, sizing up the situation.

Another one of our cats has assumed the job of being a look-out for Fred, and he runs his paws up and down the glass if Fred is outside and wants inside.  They don't even like each other!!  Go figure.

When I do see the flakes of snow starting, I become the hawk and determine just when it might be time to move the car up to the top of our hill.  That way, no matter where or when I might have to leave, the car is already up there ready to go.  And that spares my husband the unenviable job of bundling up and getting out the monster snow blower thing we have -- an auger-type fitted to the front of a garden tractor.  The noise is unbelievable so we try not to bother the neighbors too early in the morning.

Once he gets going, it doesn't really take him all that long.  Then he has to get out the seed spreader and load it with safety salt, then go up and down the hill to evenly disperse it.  Using the spreader saves a lot of money!  Of course, with the car up at the top of the hill, that means that it is often covered with snow when I need it.  And that means a thorough sweeping and cleaning of the car before I leave. 

I saw someone the other day in a tiny car and it had about a foot of snow on the hood and the roof.  She had maybe half of the windshield cleaned off but not well and it looked like a snowball going down the street.  It's just not safe! 

So we all have our challenges, I guess, and I'm grateful for a warm house and something to eat.  We are so blessed.  They showed a hotel in the Buffalo area this morning and the parking lot was covered in three feet of snow.  A bus was trying to get through on the roadways and finally stopped in a four foot drift, unable to go farther.  The entire load of passengers had to get out and make their way to the hotel, many not wearing good snow clothes.  They were freezing and exhausted when they got to the hotel, but they too were grateful for a warm place to stay and food.

Poor Buffalo.  They get hammered a lot with lake effect snow.  One other city around that same area got 60 inches of snow.  The folks there must be hardy and they too must take on the hawk persona at this time of year -- making good decisions about when to leave the house and how far to go.

So be careful out there, and dress warmly or at least have warm stuff with you.  A blanket, some water, and all of that emergency gear is an excellent idea.  If you have someone on your Christmas list that travels a lot, an emergency car kit would make an excellent gift. 

God Bless.