Enough Already

Snow, snow, go away. . . 

I think it’s safe to assume that we all have had our fill of the white stuff this winter. Here we sit with another month of winter to go, and already we’ve had a record amount of snowfall. Normally, the Jersey Shore only gets an average of about 17 inches of snow every winter. As of right now, we’re at 62 inches. . .and counting. 

As far back as I can recall, I don’t think it’s ever been this bad. I remember when I was a kid growing up in West Long Branch that we used to get plenty of snowfall, but for some reason, the accumulations were a lot more manageable than they are now. 

Back in the day, when we got snow, there used to be drifts along my parents’ house as high as eight feet tall. But by the next day, most of it would be gone. A combination of higher temperatures and a break of a week or so made it easier to deal with. But recently, snow has been followed up by freezing temperatures that keep the snow around. We hardly get by shoveling the first snowfall off our driveways and walkways when the next one comes down the pike just a few short days later and piles it on again. 

We also always had three snow days built into our school calendars growing up, and hardly ever did we have to tack on additional days to make up for the ones we lost due to the weather. But for the last few years, school districts use up all their snow days by around the middle of winter and almost always have to take away vacation days to ensure the kids attend school for the mandatory amount of time (182 days). 

It’s for that reason that I always wondered why they couldn’t just add the days on at the end of the school year instead of picking vacation days here and there to make up what was lost. Or better still, why don’t they add an additional week to the school calendar, then take days off at the end as the snow days pile up (pardon the pun) while not affecting vacation days and holidays? 

The other thing that amazes me about the winter is how different regions of the country react when a significant amount (or sometimes even an insignificant amount, for that matter) of snowfall hits. Here in New Jersey, it usually takes anywhere from 4 inches and above to shut things down, but if you live in the Washington DC area, two inches will usually shut that city down. 

This year, the South is getting hit particularly hard, especially in places like Georgia, Alabama, and even the northern part of Texas. Having never dealt with this much of the white stuff before, these states have become one state of emergency after another. 

And of course, there’s the flip side. Recently, my wife and I visited our son up at the University of Rochester. They had more snow than we did, but the roads were clear, traffic was moving, and people were walking around with spring coats on. What a difference 350 miles from the Jersey Shore makes. 

I’ve encounter many people the last few months, both physical and virtual, who are so ready for warmer weather, especially here at the shore. I’m one of those people. I totally get their frustration. Cabin fever, coupled with weather-induced utility outages are bad, but non-stop shoveling is even worse.  

It’s times like these that I’d wish Calgon would take me away, but I forgot to buy some the last time I went shopping. Hopefully, the next snowfall will hold off long enough for me to get some. Oh, my aching back. . . 

(The entire Jersey Shore Retro Blogography can be found at http://longbranch.patch.com/blogs/kevin-cieris-blog .You can also follow Kevin Cieri's blog on his Facebook page, "Jersey Shore Retro" as well as on Twitter @jsretro).