...and this one is called...

It's Thursday and we are bracing for another winter onslaught . By the time I was up , the snow (deceptively falling gently in big,puffy flakes ) had reached a 2" depth . More is to fall over the course of the next few days , with the threat of high winds predicted to reach 49mph gusts that might topple trees and power lines . Oh , goody...
There is a trend lately in televised weather reporting toward catch-phrases . The last storm was dubbed "Snowmageddon " . This one bears the title "Snowicane "...supposedly alluding to the hurricane-like winds that drive it . This is not breakfast cereal , folks...no need to "sell " it...it's a storm . Long ago and far away , when we were kids , we were lucky if there was any advance notice . Most folks knew the possibility existed for being snowed in and made proper provisions . It was winter , after all ! Almost everyone had a fireplace and a cord of wood stacked outside...all part of the drill . Some of the best memories are from those times when the family gathered around the fireplace for warmth , hot food ( Mom was so creative !) , and enough light to play the board games usually overlooked . Bedtime brought out the camping bedrolls and giggles , yet all enjoyed a peaceful , cozy night's sleep . There was a comforting sense of safety in the warm cocoon of family...that everything was okay , because we were together . There was time to enjoy that precious window of opportunity...rare for the busy-ness of daily life . The sight of my Dad tossing snowballs and helping to build forts was so cool (no pun intended ) . Somehow , the arrival of the snowplow and clearing of the roads was a disappointment . We had to return from our vacation in fantasyland to "real life ", yet all were refreshed by the experience .
Today , in out neat little homes with all the modern conveniences , the opportunity for such times are rare . There is no fireplace here . The threat of losing power brings no nostalgia , but rather trepidation for the safety of ourselves and fragile friends and neighbors in the same boat . The labels for the impending storms are not necessary , nor amusing . I'm not buying the tee shirt , nor sending the postcard !