Good morning! Snowed in today ~ “lake effect” snow (heavy, wet “Heart attack” snow and lots of it), followed by bitter temps, high winds and blowing snow — and, yes, more snow falling right now. The plows haven’t come by so I forfeited in-person church attendance and changed back into my “home” clothes. With that, here are (5) randoms from my world. Ready? Here we go:
1) Weather events make people chatty. In my part of the Midwest, there’s nothing like a pending storm to get everyone out of the house, out to the local grocery store / gas station / party store and those who are out are (mostly) chatty. ”How about that forecast?!” ”You all set?” ”Hope we don’t lose power.” Weather is a “safe” topic and an easy entree into a conversation for total strangers. Something I love about living here is that, generally speaking, people look out for each other, neighbors check in, people care. Another reminder that good people and good deeds are all around and rarely make the headlines.
2) Unbucket lists: We all are told we should make a “bucket list” – a list of trips to take or milestones to meet before “kicking the bucket.” How about the opposite, the un-bucket list? What are things you’re never doing again? Here’s one of mine: Giving up or not using vacation days. Vacation time is a benefit of and condition of employment, and I use every single one. Time off to recharge makes me a better, happier employee. Sometimes time off involves a trip, but many times it doesn’t. It takes effort for me to unplug, but I am always happier for having done so.
3) TSA-Pre-Check : Using vacation time makes me think about airport travel ~ I don’t fly often but, when I do, having TSA pre-check is a game-changer. I applied for and received this travel status a few weeks into our 2-year lockdown ~ it’s good for 5 years. I should get a 2-year pass 
. I’ll definitely renew when the time comes, it’s worth it.
4) Snow days – Kids just went back to school this week and then *BAM* 1, no 2, no wait, 3 glorious snow days. Hubbs and I reminisced over the similarities of our childhood snow days — tobogganing with friends or cousins, scoping out “the best hill” – we agreed the ideal was steep AND long … and then there was the walking back up part. We agreed it was time to go in when our mitts were wet, and boots full of snow. We both remember when snowmobile mitts came out and replaced woolen mittens – they were water-resistant and long enough to cover jacket cuffs (ever had an inner wrist snow burn?? YEOWCH). He had face masks, I preferred a Toque + scarf, but both of us smiled at the fun we had zooming down hills, lying in the snow at night, looking up at the stars and wondering about the big world all around us. Even though I don’t get them anymore, Snow days take me back to being 9:
5) Trust funds ~ this made me chuckle because my “Go-Fund-Me” began with babysitting; I was so small I could hardly lift the baby out of the crib! But I did it – yes, self-funded and proud of it.
What do the words “Snow Day” mean to you? What’s on your “un-bucket” list? Were you “trust-funded,” too?