The greatest show on Earth
Ringling Brothers Circus bills itself as the Greatest Show on Earth! It is a great show but they have to be forgiven because they have not seen THE Greatest Show on Earth.
The greatest show on earth takes place between now and typically the end of February, first of March. It takes place in the South. It is a natural phenomenon… snow.
You may remember the hysteria that surrounded the Y2K scare. That doesn’t hold a candle to snow in the south. No other event natural or man-made can compare to what happens in the south at the very mention of the word.
A few years back, the schools and state offices closed in the upstate of South Carolina because there was supposed to be a giant snow storm. That morning, I got up looking for “it”. The “it” was not snow, because there was absolutely none to be found. The “it” was a cloud that may contain even a single flake of the white stuff. There was not a cloud in the sky the entire day. Scan from horizon to horizon all you want, there was not a single cloud in the sky the entire day. It was cold, but nary a cloud could be found.
There is panic in the air at the sight of the first flake. People rush to the nearest grocery store and buy bread, eggs and milk. I am still trying to determine if it is some superstition if you have bread, eggs and milk in your house that the snow will not fall on your house or if it is because they are stocking up until the spring thaw.
Meanwhile parents are lining up at the schools to take their kids out of school. Have not quite figured out if they think that education is not needed if it snows or if this is part of the religious experience of praying to the bread, eggs and milk to magically transform itself into something to protect them from the snow monster.
The gentle behavior that is rumored to be prevalent in the south is completely gone because they will push, shove and practically act like hostile beings to obtain the necessary articles of winter. You never hear of people buying useless items like snow shovels or other luxury items that people seek in other parts of the civilized world.
One afternoon, it started to snow and with almost an inch on the ground I decided to stop by a national brand fast food restaurant and pick up a sandwich. What a mistake this turned out to be, they had closed up tight and gone home, in the middle of the day. The drive thru was closed, there was no signs of live anywhere on the premises.
I have not seen anything like it in my many decades here on planet earth.
If you think this is bad, you should find a good vantage point and watch these people who are brave enough to venture out into such hostile conditions and attempt to drive a car. Except for the possibility of an injury, it is absolutely hilarious! Instead of gentle acceleration on starting, they punch the gas as if the wheels turning at 100 mph will make the vehicle behave like it is on dry pavement. There is no finesse on stopping or making turns.
Occasionally a vehicle with 4 wheel drive will be seen speeding down the road. It is like they have discovered that if they can take off that they can stop on the stuff. Ain’t going to happen, but they seem to believe it. This just adds to the myth that you can do anything in a 4 wheel drive vehicle until… stuff happens!
As for me, I live so far off the beaten path that I occasionally have birds stop by asking for directions to the nearest town. I enjoy the serenity and pour myself a hot beverage, sit by the window and enjoy the sights of nature’s painting the landscape white. The peace and quiet, the sight of birds, rabbits, squirrels and the occasional deer or turkey are enough to entertain me for the day.
If I am near town, my entertainment shifts to a hot beverage in a restaurant as I watch the locals “try” to drive in the stuff. Now, my friends that is THE Greatest Show on Earth!
Pour yourself a hot beverage, click on the link below and enjoy with me the view as you watch the snowfall out of my front window.
John,
Relocating to Washington state has made you a bit proud of your distain for this dangerous white stuff. I would like to add that the roads in the south are composed of different materials that those in the north. When wet or even with a light sprinkle of snow, it can be hazardous to one’s health to attempt to drive on them. Believe me, I have tried and after several uncontrollable spins, I learned my lesson – when in Rome, do as the Romans do – stay home.
Enjoyed your blog. Please keep up the god work. Shalom, my friend.
Nice to hear from you John. Very pretty – you are poetic. And the snow is beautiful.
Hope this time finds you and yours warm and heaven forbid, not snowed upon.
Retirement is great. Have taken an 8000 mile motorcycle ride to North East Maine and back home, 26 states, 2 provinces, lots of historical and religious places visited.
Off to climb up Badger Mountain this morning. Not too strenuous, but better than a walk in the city.
Say HI to Ruth. Miss you both. Keith
Great story with some humor and truth. Having had the “pleasure” of watching the unskilled driving on snow, I can certainly agree there is an entertaining factor. The snow at your house is beautiful as when it falls outside the hustle and bustle of humanity, its silent beauty is a wonderful sight.
That was beautiful–especially since we recognize the location.
Blessings to you both.
I thoroughly enjoy falling snow as long as it is not close to me. Love watching the snow fall but…it is so much better in the hills.. As for this time in my life, I don’t want too much snow/ice around me anymore. Don’t want to slip around in the car or off my feet. Here in mid Wash. State we get plenty of freezing ice and goofy drivers, as well you know. Since retiring it is wonderful to get up, sip a hot cup of java and watch whatever weather rolls in to our area. Life is good and still challenging and amusing.
We miss you two and hope everyone is okay and stays that way.
Stay safe and bless all of you.