As I write this, it’s nearing the end of February, and while I long for spring, there’s something else I could really use right now.
A big, honking snowstorm.
Yeah, I know. We complain about it when it snows.
We shovel it.
We hoard food when it’s about to happen.
And, as I mentioned, we complain about it.
While we’ve had some small snow showers this year, we haven’t had a big one since 2010—the kind that forces your whole family to stay inside, drink hot chocolate, and play games together.
Well, that’s what I want it to be like…
As I recall, the last time we had Snowmageddon, I was thrilled that my husband was getting a day off.
Then he got another and another and another…
Normally, I would relish this. It would be great! We could watch movies and play with the dogs in the snow. And snuggle up with cups of cocoa.
But that year we couldn’t. Why? Because I had to work.
Folks think that “Working from Home” is a fun place where you sit around and watch TV while eating bon bons. It’s a place where you can do whatever you want and, if you really need to, take a couple of hours and get work done. It’s a place where you can stop at any moment to take care of anything else going on in your family, with your friends, or in the world.
This is so not true.
During one of the huge snows in 2010, I had to write some stories, do some work, meet some deadlines…
My husband was okay with that. He understands what I do. He’s a great guy.
Until he kept sticking his head into my office to ask me things…
“Hey, did you know that the governor just said that no one is allowed to go out on the roads? I couldn’t go to work if I tried.”
Great.
“I might go down the basement and play my guitar for a while. Unless you’re finished. Are you finished yet?”
Um, no. That’s why I’m still sitting at my desk.
“You should see all the TV reporters who are out there in the snow reporting from all over. I wonder how they got there. Do you know how they could get through this mess?”
I don’t know. Perhaps they strapped the body of their spouse to the front of their car to use as a plow…
Okay, I didn’t say that. But I thought it.
This went on for a few days. Finally, on the last day, I had finished my work and could take the afternoon off.
I was ready to go out into the snow. I had seen it, but I hadn’t had the chance to go play in it. And I love playing in the snow with dogs…and people too.
Turns out, my husband had been outside with our furry family members already that day, and he was cold and tired. He wanted to stay in and rest.
Seriously? Well, I had some work I could get ahead on…
You know that thing I said in the beginning about wanting a snowstorm? Forget it.
I miss watching Oriole home games.
I miss longer days.
I miss being out in the warm sun.
All hail spring!
Michele Wojciechowski, when she’s not counting the days until spring, and whining, writes “Wojo’s World® from Baltimore.