Sunday, January 21, 2007

17. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow.

It's raining here at Milepost 606 on the Left Bank of the Ohio River. That isn't what they promised. They promised snow, to the tune of one to three inches. Once again, they were outfoxed by Mother Nature. But, they did provide an opportunity for endless promotions by the local media of the "next big storm." If history is any indication, the real next big storm will arrive on January 16 or 17, 2010. They seem to fall sixteen years apart. We had big snow storms on those dates in both 1978 and 1994. I am not sure what the weather was in 1962 but I do know we had snow and the temperature was in the single digits most of that week. But, not this year, at least not yet. We really haven't had any measurable snowfall which is not right. We have winter, we should have snow.

One of the new ways of telling when the government thinks we are going to have snow or freezing rain is by these new lines in the streets. Rather than waiting until the precipitation arrives, the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro has begun pre-treating our roads with some sort of brine mixture. The visuals of this are pretty cool. There are long straight lines within the driving lanes of the streets that have had the treatment. At given intersections, where both streets have been treated, a checkerboard pattern appears. It does work. I went out this morning while the roads were still icy, but on the treated streets (mine isn't one of them), the ice had melted.

But, it isn't snow.

Tomorrow, by the way, is my mother's birthday. She is a Hockensmith from Frankfort who has lived nearly all of her life in Louisville. She is a state government retiree and a most wonderful person. She is the most important person in the world to me. I hope her birthday is enjoyable and her 2007 prosperous and healthy.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

You should pressure your friends in government to participate in this program:

http://kaco.org/prescription-discount-card-program/prescription-discount-card-overview.aspx

Nick Stump said...

I was heartbroken it didn't snow. I made soupbeans and cornbread. called Burger's for a delivery of foodstuffs, found my booklight and other off-the-grid items in case the electricity failed. I was ready to be snowed in--even iced in. What a disappointment.

Remeber the big snowstorm 10 or 12 years ago? What a great snow. I had to cancel a road trip because I-64 was shut down. Was just like a kid getting a snow day. I made enough soup that week to feed the multitudes.

The Archives at Milepost 606

Personal

Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Never married, liberal Democrat, born in 1960, opinionated but generally pleasant, member of the Episcopal Church. Graduate of Prestonia Elementary, Durrett High, and Spalding University; the first two now-closed Jefferson County Public Schools, the latter a very small liberal arts college in downtown Louisville affiliated with the Roman Catholic Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. My vocation and avocation is politics. My favorite pastime is driving the backroads of Kentucky and southern Indiana, visiting small towns, political hangouts, courthouses, churches, and cemeteries. You are welcome to ride with me sometime.