Snow Days

"More snow than ever in recorded history," "Snowmageddon," and "Snowpocylpse." These are all statements bantered about on today's news. My own thoughts immediately center on my old home town of Flemingsburg, KY, and of the snow I witnessed last year, trying to compare it to this one.

I don't think there is a comparison. 

I've got a few cities plugged in to my iPhone for weather, among them Dublin, Ireland and London, England...both of which are infamous for nasty winter weather. Both of which are reporting somewhat sunny days with current temps (as of 7 a.m.) of 39-degrees and 41-degrees, respectively. Flemingsburg? 17-degrees. Palm Coast? 44-degrees.

This is crazy. At a time when people are scrapping for nickels and dimes (myself included) with which to pay their existing bills, the high heating costs because of the increased issues of snow, snow and more snow are piling up. But, with all this fear of the unknown financial futures, with all these predictions of frozen pipes, a drop in business sales because of the inability to shop in a normal fashion...what do I hear from my friends back in Kentucky?

I hear about children sledding down the hills and into the valleys of their own back yards. I hear about snowy woods treks to witness the incomparable beauty of the spruce and cedar trees and of the magical icicles hanging from every board fence. I hear the laughter in my friends' voices when they talk about sitting around the kitchen table, playing board games with their kids, who are home from school. I get pictures sent to me of dogs, up to their noses in snow, still chasing balls and sticks despite the two-foot-high snow drifts.

What I don't hear is the worry, the concern, the desperation of the past few months. Some of my friends are struggling, as am I, for a paycheck. Of four festivals I applied to for showing my art, I received notice that I was not accepted to any of them. Very depressing. But, very predictable, given that increased applicants from northern climes has glutted the southern art market. It just inspires me to go after more tourist galleries and boutiques. 

To all my friends and relatives in the snowy northeast and midwest, take heart. Keep smiling, and keep positive. There is an end to all of this, and it will be a glorious spring. Things will have to turn around, because that's the way the world revolves. Through all of this, learn your lessons of prudence and patience. I know I am.