Reminds me of home
Things started with the windows rattling in mid-afternoon. Nothing like an earthquake; more like a good gust of wind. By the time I quit the building less than an hour later, the skiffling of snow along the ground served as a call to the dance.
By the time our bus had passed the various road flares and firetrucks at a couple of spots on the highway, the idea that a bit of nasty weather was on its way was evident, coupled with a radio announcement for the driver; that delays were already running thirty minutes or more and that they should hang tough until someone could relieve them. Not bad for snow skiffles…
By the time I started the six minute rally to my front door, things were painfully colder than an hour before. The probs mentioned winds up to ninety and snow up to thirty. Pick the appropriate units up at the dispensing desk. Conversation turned to recent TV ads, reminding us that we should have a “72-hour kit” in the house. Obviously we needed more candles, so after the pizza guy had wrapped his scarf and returned to his car, I started to ponder. Road trip.
The wife never misses an opportunity to show how she is a more experienced driver (which suits me just fine, I was born to the life of a chauffered limousine). Off to the box stores. We opted to avoid the parking lot at Canny Tire, which has far too many entrances and not enough exits. Leaves Wally Mart, doesn’t it? The run to the front door was something of an adventure – painfully evident that we were safer inside than out. Besides, they sell far more junk food than anybody else in the neighbourhood.
Extra blankets. Check. A new brush for the car. Check. Headphones. Check (don’t look for a pattern – we’re storm shoppers). Toilet paper, in packages that were not already opened. Check. Extra mitts, at 99 cents a pair. Double check. Out to the van and back on the road. Yes, we forgot the candles.
The driving conditions were not improving. I don’t remember having drifts in a long time. The view of cars bounding over the new road hazards reminds me of home. Off to the grocery store, where we really had fun. Getting the cart stuck on the way back to the van, and the growing snowbank on the back seat as we (I) loaded stuff inside, the shopping was like summer in disguise were a true winter moment.
If we have to face six months of winter, it might as well be exciting.
