With our first measurable snow upon us, some people are already fretting. Hold tight, Iowans. I shouldn’t need to tell you this, but the worst of the winter weather is yet to come. As Bill Murray famously said in “Caddyshack,” “I don’t think the heavy stuff is going to come down for quite a while.”
It’s early January, more snowstorms are coming, and I am looking forward to them.
My friends in Florida like to boast about their warm weather and share photos of themselves in T-shirts and shorts. Good for them. I am glad they enjoy it. If I wanted to experience that type of weather this time of year, I would move to Florida. No thank you. I like cold weather. I like snow. I even like blizzards. It’s all part of the Iowa experience. Those other places are nice to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.
I actually enjoy putting on cold-weather gear and getting outside. The crisp air smells clean, and it invigorates me. Sledding. Skiing. Snowmobiling. I even like to shovel snow, but I admittedly like running the snowblower even more. I get up early on snowy days in anticipation of moving snow.
I am bewildered by people who act surprised when snowstorms hit. It’s not like the weather forecasts aren’t in the news. It’s Iowa. It snows. Plan on it happening again… and again… and again, because it will.
I am convinced some of the negativity about snow comes from the TV weather forecasters using words and phrases like “treacherous” or “the blizzard of the century” seemingly each time we get a dusting.
Several years ago, Jolene and I were on a ski trip to Lake Tahoe with some friends. More than a foot of snow fell the first night we were there. We were convinced the roads would be a mess, stores would be closed, and people would be shuttered in. We experienced the opposite. By 6 a.m., the roads were cleared. By 7 a.m., the sidewalks were shoveled. And, by 8 a.m., it was business as usual — everywhere. They expect snow. They plan on it. They prepare for it. And nobody seems to use the word “treacherous.”
So dig out your coats, hats and gloves and button up. The heavy stuff is going to come down again soon. Embrace it and enjoy it.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707