Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Snow No say it isn't so

 We have seen a small amount of snow these past years, Not enough to raise a sweat but enough to cause concern to those driving in it. Most of the time we get ice and freezing rain. The most snow I have seen in the area was maybe a foot or two in my lifetime. I have a vivid memory in elementary school Go Westgate!! where we were looking out the window as young children do and watching the buses come into the sweeping driveway before noon or lunch time. We all sat in our little desk chairs and whispered to each other why they were there so early, we could see the snow coming down but in our little minds that didn't register. Our teacher had ushered us to the cafeteria and threw the line to pick up our hot lunches and back to the school room to eat. The best part was the menu chili and cinnamon rolls, one of the favorites to be eaten and savored. Lunch went with out a hitch although those who could tell time knew it was early lunch much earlier than normal. But who were we to question the adults. It didn't take long to realize the whole school day was soon to end as the snow piled deeper. I was not a school crossing guard for the end of class that week but so when the call for the crossing guards to head to their posts was made I was asked to fill in for a student who was absent. I went to get my bright florescent vest and flag on and bundled up. The snow was coming down in white sheets but fluffy flakes to the ground as I made my way to the crossing. I waited as the bell rang and my fellow classmates came running out jossiling and playing as they headed home, knowing that the day was short and they would be in the throws of the snow making snowballs, snow men and if we all were lucky sledding later if and a big if there was enough snow. I did my stint carefully walking out into the road to stop traffic and allow the charges across the street making sure all were safely across before returning to the sidewalk. The children dilly dallied making it to the crossing, playing and having fun. In kid time it seemed forever but in reality it was only a half hour to forty five minutes from the time you leave to put your vest on to the time you return to the school and pull your own stuff together and are off for home yourself. I was fortunate in that I really didn't live far from school not more than five blocks. I will say that my Mom always' made sure I had good water proofed boots for the winter months. I can be thankful for that, a warm coat and a hand crochet knit hat to stave off the cold. That day we all had a blast playing in the snow as it fell, I got right on shoveling the snow off the walks out of the house and down the front up the block a few houses and down a few just for good measure. There was a motive for such, It piled the snow higher and made it more accessible to snowman material. I went in and shook off the snow, and warmed up in front of  and back with our one heater a one foot by one foot 220 volt that was the one and only heat source for the whole house, baring the electric stove which on very cold days was the BIG heater but wasn't used specifically for heat but in a dual purpose on cold days to cook a belly warming meal. That old coil heater did the job even when the outside temps would be in the -00 with the wind chill most winter days. Now there isn't the snow we once had come into the area, global warming LOLOLO or in this case warm houses creating a zone that makes for less snow in the winter a banana belt as it were. I enjoyed the next day off which was a friday and the weekend playing in the snow with Suzy and Jamie the neighbor girls, a loot of snowballs was lobbed into the tire swing, at the cat's and of course the telephone poles. We were too young for Hooky Bobbing or sledding One you needed a car for and the second you need a hill for neither of which at our age we had access too. The desert is still throwing freezing rain and the temps are said to cause it to be snow I will do my snow dance and wait with a cup of coffee in my hand and fond memorys of the past and dreams of future snow day's to come. 

Monday, January 6, 2014

Looks like a lot of Seattleites don't like Marshawn "the Seahawk" Lynch getting financial support from his fan base. 50 thousand dollars in fines from the NFL is a lot, for silliness. Yes, the money could go to cancer research, homeless, foodbanks. Now think about how many MILLIONS the obama's have gained, "please donate your change, sell your toaster, spare clothes for our campaign, sell cookies, donate your pizza money" at least Marshawn has dignity, isn't begging or asking for any help with his fine he appears to be manning up to his decisions. It would be nice if Michelle would too.