It's always some sort of miracle when genuine snow falls in north Texas. When the weather forecast calls for the chance for a "wintry mix" most of us here come to expect either NOTHING or ICE.
Yesterday, it actually positively snowed. Big, fluffy white flakes. A blanket of cold, moist good snowball-making snow all over everything. The temperature plummeted overnight to about 17 (I know that's downright balmy for some of you, but this is weird), so there's still a bit of ice on parts of the roads and the white blanket is intact.
What's even stranger about this?
Monday and Tuesday were both sunny with temperatures near 70 degrees. Really, for anyone who's lived in this part of Texas for a few years, we know it's not strange to have such wild fluctuations of the weather in winter, spring or fall (most summer days stay consistent: bone-numbing hot). It's just never easy to get used to. Here's what it does:
• To live here means that to be prepared, you actually have to watch the weather forecast the night before, and then the next morning just to be sure.
• Your clothes are in constant rotation. Shorts one day; winter parka the next.
• Birds tend to fly in circles because they're so confused.
• People tend to drive in circles for the same reason.
• When the trees shed their leaves in the autumn, they often haven't had the chance to turn colors (other than brown). There's often a big pile of green leaves on the lawn.
• Sometimes it's hard to get in the mood for the season if the weather doesn't match the "normal" pattern for that time of year (this year is an apparent exception).
• Those whose allergies are triggered by changes in weather walk around with Benedryl in one hand and a box of Kleenex in the other.
• It keeps things kind of interesting, and creates a talking point with fellow residents. Yesterday's catch phrase was, "How about this snow?"
No matter the weather, may your Christmas warm you with the joy and comfort of family and friends nearby.
I live in Canada and we haven't even seen snow here yet (ok, in MY part of Canada)
I would be very happy if we got some on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, then it can make itself scarce.
Have a very Merry Christmas, T!
As a fellow Texan I agree with your points. I hear the snow may even make it down here to the costal area. Very exciting. Almost unheard of. Last night old folk were talking and the last time it snowed here (any amount to speak of) was in 1972. :)
I'm surprised we don't have snow for Christmas; but that may be because it came early. I love being in a place that has 4 seasons (Spokane, WA) as opposed to the two seasons of hot and cold that we had in California.
T-bone,
I'm glad you have snow for Christmas, and even happier that I'll probably never see snow here.
No offense to Etherian, but I'll take the two seasons we have ... even when it means we were in shorts a week ago.
Merry Christmas to you and yours T Bone. No snow here....the cooler weather is just fine!
We missed the whole durn thang. =(
You are so funny! I love reading blogs like ours!
There's always a place for more laughter in the world!
BTW...thanks for stopping by!
Lady Mac