Just My Opinion - by Mary Kilen
You Knew It Was Too Good To Last
As I sit at my desk on Monday writing my column, I’m finally seeing some blue skies and sunshine. After the weekend, it’s a welcome sight. Cloudy, gray skies don’t do much for my attitude. I don’t know how people live with that on a regular basis. I also didn’t enjoy getting significantly more snow over the weekend than that trace to one inch the weather people were telling me would come.
That all being said, we have to admit that it hasn’t been bad lately. Temperatures above normal and below normal precipitation have been a welcome start to what can often be a harsh winter in North Dakota.
We also have to admit we knew it couldn’t last. We would have liked it too, but we do live in North Dakota. The weather people have not been the most popular people in our house for the past week. The predicted cold this week already has me dreading the rest of the week and it’s only Monday.
I admit, I went and filled up my car over the weekend. I know that with temperatures below zero and the predicted really low wind chills, my car will see more idling time this week.
Meanwhile, last week the Stanley Elementary School put the following on their Facebook page as a reminder to parents: “Temperatures are expected to dip down below zero next week. Please remember to ensure your students have proper cold weather clothing. Hats, gloves, boots, snow pants, and winter coats. Students are outside for recess until air temperatures or wind chill factors reach -13. Please call the school if you need assistance providing any of those items for your student(s).”
If you haven’t looked for all of those things for yourself, you might want to start looking right away. By the time you read this, temperatures should be on their way down and they will not be making any improvement in the immediate future.
As I’m writing this, I’m wishing I had decided to tag along on Amanda’s birthday trip with friends this week. At least she’ll miss the first couple of days of this nonsense!