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"Weather" or Not
by Tami McRaney
Does the expression "if you don't like the weather, wait a minute" mean anything? This statement HAD to have been made by a true Southerner.
Does the expression "if you don't like the weather, wait a minute" mean anything? This statement HAD to have been made by a true Southerner. We live in a small town in "Southern" Tennessee. For the last four days, the weather announcers predicted 2-4 inches of snow for our area. They warned us to stock our shelves, store our water, check our pipes. Only a true Southerner would know what this could mean.
Worsened weather predictions struck fear in the hearts of the young and old alike. "Things are going to get worse," they said. The forecasters reminded us of some of the worst storms ever in the South.
A true Southerner would know that four years ago thousands of homes in our area were without power, heat, water or phone. The expression "you can't get there from here" rang true. The inability to drive into town or down the street immobilized the residents. Homes were affected for three to ten days depending how far out in the country there were located. The local water and power companies had their hands full working round the clock.
A true Southerner knows you have to visit WalMart at least once a day. Once a week is unfathomable. Store shelves were empty. Propane was unavailable. Batteries were at a premium, if you could find them. Neighbors helped neighbors. Churches checked on their members.
This time around, snow was predicted to fall Thursday evening into Friday morning. Temperatures were to be around 30 and drop drastically Thursday night. Just right for the snow to stick and kids to be out of school. Now, for most areas of the country, this is nothing. This isn't the northern U.S. Southerners DO realize that.
To add to that, a true Southerner doesn't know how to drive in snow. They drive much too fast to their destination. It is cold outside and they just want to get where they are going. Who cares if there is snow and ice on the ground and the roads are slippery? Besides, when southerners skid into a ditch, the next vehicle coming down the road will have a tow hitch to get them out. I think it comes standard on most vehicles 'round here. Besides, a true Southerner knows that if 2-4 inches are predicted, they will probably end up IN the ditch anyway.
I told the kids to call me if school let out early for the weather. I took a much needed trip into town. Not because I was afraid of being snowed in, but because I hadn't done the grocery shopping in about 3 weeks. Six people, no groceries, the possibility of snow. Its a bad thing. The radio broadcasted current weather conditions of sleet and snow already falling 30 miles to the South of us. A true Southerner knows the snow "might" arrive early.
I drove the 16 miles into town to make my purchases at the local market. The store opened at 8:00 a.m. I arrived at 9:00 a.m. The store was packed. This was not WalMart, just a small local chain. I selected my purchases and made my way to the checkout stand. The sweet, gray-haired cashier made small talk and commented how disconcerting the morning had been. I asked her why. When she arrived at 7:30, people were already in the store. Management had decided it best to let them in to begin their shopping than to have them wait in the cold. Not to mention, this would help move the crowds along. She said it made her nervous to count out her cash drawer with the people milling about. I smiled and mentioned that I would rather be at her store than at WalMart that morning. We laughed, knowing that true Southerners would have packed WalMart that morning AND cleared the shelves.
I noticed the drop in temperature as I struggled out to my car with TWO grocery buggies. A true Southerner knows to call it a "buggy" not a basket. As I opened the trunk, sleet began to fall rapidly. Is this the weather that was predicted? It was only 9:45 a.m. I loaded my groceries and ran to one more store. This store was more packed than the last. I heard people worriedly discuss the weather and the need to stock up for a week. True southerners mentioned it was a plot to get people to spend their money stock piling groceries and supplies. I laughed and headed home. The sleet stopped after 20 minutes or so. Well, that wasn't too bad. I can handle that. Besides, I wasn't concerned. I had been snowed in before. But a true Southerner knows there will be a blanket of 2-4 inches by midnight.
Arriving home, I checked the television for the latest school closings and cancellations. At 10:30, my 13-year-old's school is listed. Well, I will wait a few minutes and see if he comes home on the bus. There had only been sleet at this point. I don't hear from my high school kids who attend in another district. Snow begins to fall. I drive over to the junior high to pick up Dalton. The buses are loading. A nice lady from school offers to pull him off the bus so he can ride home with me. We go home with the snow falling fast around us. The ground is covered. Weren't they predicting the snow late tonight? I watch the huge snowflakes come down as I prepare lunch. At 12 noon, I receive a call from the high school. The kids will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. Everything is white. Now, every true Southerner knows that school will be closed tomorrow. Icy country roads will make traveling by bus difficult.
At 12:50 I head to the car to pick up the kids. There's an inch of snow on the ground. Most everything is a beautiful white. It has quit snowing. When I arrive at the high school, Jimmy mentions the largest snowflakes he had ever seen falling earlier. We arrive home at 1:20 p.m. and the snow has begun to melt. I mention how pristine the snow looked on our historical home. It added a special "something" to it all. The kids wished they could have seen it an hour ago to enjoy it.
We spend the afternoon putting away groceries, playing games, and taking a nap. Besides, a true Southerner knows we'll have more snow and ice tonight. We'll have plenty of time to do chores tomorrow. At 5:00 p.m., the forecaster announces that the County junior high and the local city schools will be closed tomorrow. Dalton cheers. However, there isn't a closure announcement for the high school yet. Dalton is excited to have a long weekend. The high schoolers grumble that they are lucky to have had their two hours off.
A true Southerner knows to brace themselves for the snow, sleet and wind predicted Thursday night. Dalton goes to bed knowing that he can sleep as late as he wants Friday. Jimmy and Jaimi head for bed knowing they may have to go to school.
Friday morning arrives. Dalton sleeps peacefully. There is no snow to speak of. The high school is open. My sweet husband drives the kids to school so that I can stay in bed a little longer. No ice. No snow built up on the side of the road. No problem.
The true Southerner breathes a sigh of relief.
This California native just laughs and goes back to sleep.
About the Author
Tami McRaney is a mother of 7 (including 3 stepchildren) and former foster parent to over 85 children ages 18 hours to 17 years old. She is now a WAHM to four teens, ages 13-19 and editor/publisher of the family ezine/website ON THE GO TOO! Your Busy Family Resource Especially for Parents of Teens. www.onthegotoo.com; e-mail: editor@onthegotoo.com
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