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Topic starter
05/01/2023 7:20 pm
SNOW!
Finally after 4 days, it quit snowing. My driveway got 16 inches this go around. I'm living within a Snow Fortress. Our snow total so far this winter is 40 inches, already double what is normal for an average snowfall winter here in Oakdale where I live. And we've still got three weeks in January, all of February, all of March, and likely (as it usually is) two weeks in to April left. I think like it or not, I better decide I'm okay with it.
Why do I live here? I'm in my 71st year on the planet, and still come up with no explanation. I've never been a fan of winter. Snow, cold, ice, wind, and cloudy dreary days are words that describe winter to a tee, and yet I'm sitting here typing about it, rather than basking in a more pleasant climate. I've felt a few times, living here doesn't make me wise person.
I listen to people in the summer when it's calm and warm and hear them complain it's so warm. I shake my head. That's never been me! No matter how warm it gets, (and yes, it does get warm in Minnesota for a few weeks in July or August) I never complain. Never.
So the question is still, why am I here when winter is not on my favorites list? So okay, I've got an answer. It's because this is where the journey that God walks with me on, put me. I'm with my princess Lorraine, who I love more than any other person in the world. I'm with my two precious daughters, my sweet granddaughters, their daddy, and I'm here with extended family and a zillion friends.
They all make winter a warm place to be despite the Berlin Wall surrounding my house outside, a place I don't want to be. I looked at my lawn mower this morning, it looked lonely and cold, I patted the handle and with a smile on my face, I let my mind wander to summer when I'll be behind that mower in shorts cutting the grass, enjoying the sun.
In the meantime, winter do your worst. I'm okay.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
05/01/2023 7:51 pm
Coffee Talk #1?
Is this a repeat?
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
05/01/2023 7:53 pm
Funny, George, I have the same reason why I've stayed within a 20-mile radius (and lived in only 4 places total) from where I was born for almost 68 years...this is where I was put!
Barry Levittan
Long Island, NY
George Schire reacted
05/01/2023 9:28 pm
Throughout my entire working career I always had jobs that required travel across this beautiful country of ours. Looking back over the years I came to the conclusion that there were plusses and minuses anywhere you went and that the real answer is being comfortable where you live. IMO there is no one size fits all as all of us have out idea of what comprises our comfort zone.
Topic starter
05/01/2023 9:58 pm
@bob-jackman nicely stated and true.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
05/01/2023 10:36 pm
Well George, at least you don't have to drive to work in that weather anymore! I imagine it does make it difficult to get your morning coffee at McDonald's though! After three days of rain and 4 1/2 inches on the rain gage, it finally stopped this morning. It warmed up to the low sixties, so I took a walk to the post office, mowed the lawn, and washed the car. Next rain is forecasted for Monday. Life is good.
Topic starter
05/01/2023 10:47 pm
Well George, at least you don't have to drive to work in that weather anymore! I imagine it does make it difficult to get your morning coffee at McDonald's though! After three days of rain and 4 1/2 inches on the rain gage, it finally stopped this morning. It warmed up to the low sixties, so I took a walk to the post office, mowed the lawn, and washed the car. Next rain is forecasted for Monday. Life is good.
My morning coffee is at home while the weather sucks. It's unsafe to walk there and equally crappy to drive there, so I make it at home. And yes, I'm thankful I no longer have to drive the 50 mile round trip I used to make to get to and from work. These winter drives would usually have me on the road in the morning for over an hour and then the same coming home. Added to the 9 or so hours at work, those were long days. And hey, thanks for making jealous with your weather report in your neighborhood and mowing your lawn. For now, those images are but faint hopes for the distant future.
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Pete Rovero reacted
06/01/2023 2:38 pm
29 degrees and snowing here in N.H..
06/01/2023 6:32 pm
George great photo's to remind me of winter. Growing up on Long Island I can only remember 1 real bad storm, and that was in 1967. I remember because my Dad had to drive my Mom to the hospital to have my brother. I miss the snow and living in SC, we do get some, but not like that. Last year we had a nice storm that my daughter and I went walking around the community while it was snowing and just enjoying the scenery. This year so far, we only got the bitter cold during Christmas week, and I even enjoyed that. My motto is "you can always put on clothes to stay warm, but there is only so much you can take off in the Summer".
07/01/2023 6:50 pm
I grew up in PA and lived in various places there until I was 24. I followed this with 35 years in Manhattan.
I moved to Florida a few weeks after I retired!
Retired in Dunedin, Florida.
Topic starter
07/01/2023 7:05 pm
I grew up in PA and lived in various places there until I was 24. I followed this with 35 years in Manhattan.
I moved to Florida a few weeks after I retired!
You've proven to be a wise man Mr. Glorius. 
George Schire
Oakdale, Minnesota
Jack Dodds reacted
08/01/2023 1:24 am
I grew up in PA and lived in various places there until I was 24. I followed this with 35 years in Manhattan.
I moved to Florida a few weeks after I retired!
Smart man! Plus you get to have the Toronto Blue Jays spring training in your town every year!
09/01/2023 11:01 am
Upper 60’s today in the Dallas metroplex, it’s been 50 years since I moved here from the snow and cold.
David Vandermeer
Corinth, Texas
Jack Dodds reacted
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