I always try to keep a positive outlook about life; even in the midst of trouble and sadness and crises, I try to find something good that came/will come out of it. It's been a week since Holiday Storm 2004 hit, and I've been thinking back on everything that's happened this past week here in Louisville. Even though it was a bitch last week and this past weekend, as the thaw continues, I've found some positive things that have happened. At first glance, they seem like negatives, but if we look deeper we can see how they're not so bad after all. Also included is commentary by my dear friend and eloquent writer Michael.
1. No mail
Negative - no Christmas cards and no package deliveries
Positive - no bills
Michael Thought: The US Post Office is free to increase the price of postage with no value adds on its services. I didn't have mail delivery for five days after the holiday storm and the Post Office could never find it when I drove to their office. However, the Courier-Jounal was delivered faithfully every morning in a green plastic sleeve. It seems strange that I see the postman and get the wrong mail but on the other hand, I have never seen my newspaper carrier and receive my newspaper faithfully on a daily basis before 5:30a.
2. No garbage pick-up
Negative - no garbage pick up
Positive - no trips out to the end of driveway dragging garbage bags in 8 degree temperatures
Michael Thought: I had no problem in this area. I do fondly remember though in the 1994 storm, how the mayor urged garbage trucks and fire equipment vehicles to visit neighborhoods to mash the snow down since we were lacking in snow plows.
3. Cars being snowed in/stuck
Negative - you can't go anywhere
Positive - you don't have to go anywhere
Michael Thought: Snowfall prediction is more accurate than a decade ago. We should take proactive measures when snowfall is predicted and use the two days to stock up on food, kerosene, beer, cigarettes, video rentals and whatever else will sustain us through bouts of cabin fever. When asnow emergency is declared, people need to stay in and avoid driving to allow the snow removal team to operate more efficiently. I often wondered how many drivers of the numerous ditched vehicles really had an emergency to attend or were mandated to be at work. On the other hand, I'm willing to bet that many were out to catch a last minute sale or finish up Christmas shopping at the local mall.
4. Piles of snow from snowplows blocking driveway/subdivision entrances
Negative - you can't get out of your driveway
Positive - friends/relatives that you really did not want to see can't get out of their driveways to come pay their obligatory visit to you
Michael Thought: Some people need to stay in their driveway. Bryan and I feverishly snowblowed our neighbors drives and driveway/mailbox approaches without a barely mumbled thanks. We attempted to plow the wall of snow at the entrance of the subdivision left by the county plows only to be hampered by joyriders who repeatedly entered and exited thereby redistributing the snow wall. We finally gave up and let the parade of traffic spin and stall. This storm was easier to weather though because of the computer age and instant messaging. I don't recall ever wanting to leave the driveway and enjoyed not have the solicitors approach the front door.
5. Not being able to get out to the grocery
Negative - you run out of milk and fresh vegetables
Positive - you have to eat leftover Christmas candy and cookies and drink eggnog or pop
Michael Thought: Again, we have more accurate storm prediction teams and ample time to collect our food and staples than a decade ago. I was well prepared for this storm and even during periods of boredom, explored the forgotten pantry. It was amazing the number of chili kits, bread mixes and neat grocery items I had collected from New Orleans and the South that I got to use during and after the storm.
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