Beautiful, beneficial and enjoyable
Wasn't last week's first taste of winter precipitation great? The snowfall that blanketed Caldwell County was both beautiful and beneficial, and it didn't lead to any major catastrophes like numerous injuries from accidents or loss of power for residents.
It's been a while since the county received any substantial snow. There have been a few small snows in recent years, but nothing of any significance.
I, for one, was glad to see some snow. Yes, it can cause a nightmare for school administrators and employers who have to cancel classes or delay work schedules, but it also can lead to some fun and enjoyment. And this snow also served a purpose.
While it may not be quite as good as 3 inches of rainfall to help our drought situation, the 3 inches of snow (give or take a little depending on where you are in the county) certainly helps our water situation.
The melting snow seeps into the ground, adding water that lawns, trees and shrubs need for their survival. That additional groundwater eventually may help reduce wildfires because those plants have additional water to draw from.
But the runoff from melting snow into creeks, streams, rivers and lakes also will help water levels rise. Again, it may not be as much as the rainfall, but in this drought situation we've faced, every little bit helps.
The snowfall certainly was lovely, and many children, as well as adults, took advantage of it. There still remain a few snowmen standing today, and sledding and snowball fights broke out in more than one neighborhood last week when the snow was falling.
Now, I don't like traveling on icy roads or in deep snow, but last week's storm was one that still left roads passable. Thankfully, there were no major accidents associated with the snowfall.
My problem with the storm was moving one of my cars away from my home to make sure I could get out on the main road the next morning. I did that to avoid two very steep hills in my neighborhood. It was a great plan until I hiked almost half a mile up those two hills only to find the battery dead in the car, which led to trudging back to the house to get another vehicle so I could get to work.
It was still worth it to see snow.
I've always liked to watch snow fall and cover the landscape. It gives sort of a peaceful feeling. Sitting by the fire, or gas logs, sipping hot chocolate or eating a bowl of soup while the flakes drift to earth just gives me a sense of contentment.
This year, we took our son out in the snow to experience it for the first time. After all, you never know if we'll get any more of the white stuff this winter. At 8 weeks old, it was hard for him to do a lot, so he quickly went back inside, though he did get to sit in the snow (with a little help) and try out his first sled (lying on it only, mind you).
But there will come a day when he wants to stay out in the snow all day, just as I used to do when I was growing up.
Seeing snow makes me think back to sledding down nasty hills, building those big snowmen, hurling snowballs at other neighborhood kids and playing football in Green Bay-type weather.
This snowfall made me recall days home from school because of heavy snows, not 1-2 inches, but 6 or 8. We don't get a lot of those any more. In fact, the Blizzard of ‘93 was the last substantial snowfall I can remember, though there have been a few decent ones since then.
The good thing about last week's snow was that it didn't cause major problems. It was, I think, enjoyable for most people who like wintry weather, especially children, and even adults, who were able to get out and play in it.
My hope is that everyone took advantage of the snow. If this winter is indicative of the past few we've had, that may be the only snowfall we see. But let's hope not!
Managing Editor