It Snowed!

We got our first measurable snow fall today. It almost waited until Thanksgiving Day before we got our first snow. It is the day before Thanksgiving so I guess that this is as close as you can get. We usually get our first snow fall either in late October or early November but it was really late this year. With any snow fall, you either you love it or you don’t.

The worst part of any snow storm (and I love snow) is the drive to work. Since I have about 15 miles to drive each way, 4 of which on country gravel roads, I don’t see a lot of traffic as I travel back and forth. Fortunately, everybody that I did see was driving slow and careful on these slick roads, at least until I got to town.

As I drove into town heading for work, I saw three instances of idiots driving around. And they were idiots. If you don’t know how to drive in snow and ice, DON’T DRIVE.

First, I saw someone turn onto the main street from a side street and spin out right in the middle of traffic. They ended up facing the wrong way. Instead of being slow and careful in the snowy and icy road, they turn the corner as the usually do and they spun out. Fortunately, nobody got hit (at least I didn’t see anybody crash).

The second time I saw an idiot I was stopped at a red light, side by side with them. The intersection faces up a small hill. As the light turn green the other driver stepped hard on the gas and their back end of their vehicle started to slide toward me. Fortunately, I have a 4x4 truck and I was in 4x4, so I stepped on the gas and moved smartly up the hill watching the other vehicle in my rear view mirror slid into the exact spot my truck was just in. Had my vehicle not moved up the hill, the other driver would have slid right into my truck.

For those of you who do not have a 4x4 vehicle (and that means a 4 wheel drive vehicle) or do not have any experience with 4x4 vehicles there is one cardinal rule to remember. A 4x4 will get you moving easier that regular vehicles in mud, snow and ice; but it does not help you stop.

I mention this because the third time I saw an idiot; he was turning into the Wal-Mart parking lot in town. Yes it was a “he”. I know this because I saw him as I passed. He was traveling up the main road and turned right into the Wal-Mart parking lot. But he didn’t turn right. He started to turn and slid across the intersection, sideways, and right into the curb on the exit side of the Wal-Mart parking lot entrance.

I know how dangerous it is to drive in the winter time. The icy roads are slippery and the snow can hide old and slippery icy underneath. What is more dangerous that driving in the winter weather? It is the other idiots driving around that have no clue about how to drive in this weather.

So, what is my advice on winter driving for everybody? Stay home. Leave the severe winter weather to the idiots out there driving with the other idiots.

Happy Holidays!

I Hate Thanksgiving

Before you think I am a guy that just hates holidays please read on. It is not that I hate holidays but there are various aspects of each holiday that I hate. And hate is such a strong word here.

This started when I was quite young. You see my birthday falls in the end of November and because of my birth date; my birthday occasionally falls on Thanksgiving Day. I was always told that, “Everybody celebrates my birthday when my birthday is on Thanksgiving!” Yeah, right.

Like all young children I attended all my friend's birthday parties. These gatherings were quite the celebration as dozens of kids brought toys and presents for the birthday child. Many of my friends received the latest games and toys which were quickly enjoyed by all. I was especially envious of the summer birthday children who got to have their birthdays in the park or at the pool with the parties lasting all afternoon.

I, on the other hand, had Thanksgiving birthdays. If you didn't know, holiday birthdays are quite different. Ask anybody born near a major holiday. The difference is that instead of dozens of friends bringing me presents and toys, I had dozens of relatives visiting for Thanksgiving Day and my birthday combined. They didn’t bring what I wanted, they brought what my parents thought I needed which was usually clothes, boots, gloves and other items I needed, not necessarily wanted. On top of that, to avoid having 2 special meals within a week, my birthday was usually celebrated on Thanksgiving Day, not the actual date of my birth.

Regardless of my overall feeling for this holiday, I do have some fond memories. My fondest memory of Thanksgiving Day starts in the summer as a young boy. I spent most of my summers staying at my Grandmothers cabin on a lake. Sometimes I stayed with my cousins who lived nearby. With my cousins, we explored, hiked, camped, canoed, boated, swam and did just about everything else in the woods and lake that you can think of.

Occasionally my Grandmother sent me out in the early morning with an empty coffee can to collect Blueberries. The Blueberries were best by the waters edge so I would use a canoe and get as close to the bushes that I can. I picked blueberries for hours in the early morning light. They tasted sweeter with the morning due still dripping from those wonderful berries. I loved collecting Blueberries and I usually ate about as much as I collected.

When the coffee can was full, or at least close to full, I would return to the cabin. My grandmother would take these Blueberries and make all kinds of things with them. We had Blueberry muffins, Blueberry cakes, Blueberries in my cereal and even a bowl of Blueberries on the counter for that quick snack. I still love Blueberries to this day.

My grandmother always took some of the collected Blueberries and put them away. I didn't know this at the time. One Thanksgiving, I don’t even remember how old I was at the time, maybe 8 years old, my grandmother brought out a Blueberry pie with the letter ‘B’ on it. Of course, ‘B’ for Blueberry I thought. But I was wrong. ‘B’ was for ‘Bob’. This pie was reserved just for me. Another pie was brought out for everybody else but this one was made special for me. My grandmother explained to everybody that I helped to make this Blueberry pie. I said, “No, I didn't.” But she told me that I had picked, all by myself, all of the blueberries in this pie. I couldn’t believe it. She used my Blueberries that I picked all by myself? Wow. I really enjoyed that pie over the next few days, every slice, every berry and every crumb of crust of it.

Now, don't get me wrong. I still dislike the holiday for falling near my birthday. But the purpose of Thanksgiving Day is to give thanks for what we have. To that, I am thankful for the Pilgrims who moved to this land, and I am thankful for the Native Americans who helped them in their time of need. I am especially thankful of the first thanksgiving because I am told my ancestors were among the first arrivals there.

I am thankful for our proud country we have and thankful for our military personnel serving proudly and honorably in our time of need. Let us never forget those who have served and those who are serving now.

I am also thankful for my family and friends. Without them life would have no meaning or purpose. And finally, I am thankful Grandmothers and Blueberry Pie.