It’s snowing in Portland today…

And, boy, does that change everything. It’s been thirteen years since I lived in Michigan where a day like today is just a normal December day and man-oh-man, has the wimp factor ever set it. In fact, getting out and about on a day like this was something of a badge of honor, as I recall. One certainly wouldn’t consider not going to work, for instance, if that was normally on the day’s agenda. What a difference a few years makes.

I was up early this morning, and after discovering I had no milk for coffee, I did head out to my local coffee shops for a to-go latte and a bagel. After a couple hours snuggled up with the newspaper (including the NYT crossword, of course), I realized that it had started to snow. Without the slightest amount of deliberation, the concept of driving to 10:30am Spinning class was a non-starter. I did manage to bundle up and walk to the local grocery store to replenish a few staples (and a nice little Cornish hen to bake for dinner). My two mile (round-trip) hike made me feel like Nanuck of the North. The bravery I demonstrated (to myself) was admirable, if exaggerated.

One of the draws for me when I relocated to the Northwest was the weather. We have four seasons here, too, but its so much more civilized. Winter temps generally stay between 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit. A lot of my fellow Portlanders get a little drained with the near constant precipitation (it’s so low key I can’t even call it rain), but as so many East coast and Midwest transplants say, “at least you don’t have to shovel it.” And, let’s face it, there’s a significant difference between 40 degrees and what we have going on today (20 something), which is somewhat of a good day in Michigan during winter. I cringe to think about my daughter and sisters and brothers and grandchildren and friends and enemies even who still live in “The Winter Wonderland (aka, Michigan).” And what about my friends in Minnesota? Or Connecticut? You get the point.

Weather like this makes one so smug about not being gainfully employed. All I have to negotiate tomorrow is whether or not (I just accidently typed “weather or not” – funny) to drive the three miles to work out with my trainer (maybe I’ll take the bus), and drop off some Christmas items at the local UPS Store (I’m still in the earlier zone, so that can wait a few days). If I decide to blow off both, I will credit my good common sense for staying off the roads. I will also try to recognize that I am, perhaps purposefully, exaggerating the threat. Let it snow…let it snow… let it snow.
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PS – on a completely unrelated note, I cannot stop laughing at the story of Dubya being pelted by the size 10 shoes of an Iraqi reporter at his “victory lap” surprise press conference today. That’s the best Bush news since ‘41’ puked at the State dinner.