Baby It's Cold Outside!

 


Yes, I know it's winter and I've said it before, this one is COLD!  And it's not just because I'm in the Pocono mountains.  Yes, it is WAY cold up there this morning.  (Weather app tells me it is currently 0 with a high of 13.)  It's not too warm here in NJ either...it's 9.  How many more days till spring?

We got our first "real" storm of the new year Sunday into Monday.  It wasn't as bad as they said it was going to be, but there was still half of foot, not just in the mountains of PA, but in my NJ backyard as well.  I have to say I am extremely grateful though.  I woke up yesterday morning and since I didn't have to go to work, didn't get out of bed.  Then I heard a strange noise outside.  It was a truck.  Now usually I don't want to hear trucks at 6 in the morning, but this was the company that plows and shovels out our property so I was thrilled to hear the sound.  I did go turn on the front light so they could see better, but they had already shoveled/brushed off the front steps and were on to the next task.  Thank you guys!

Meanwhile, back in NJ, for one of his last days at home of the break, he got to dig out the driveway.  He did a hunk my hand but then got the electric blower out for the rest.  So when I got to NJ from PA (left midday as I thought traffic would be lighter and it would be the "warm" part of the day), everything was pretty much dug out.  Of course there is still some ice and he used up all the ice melt, so I'm going to need to go out and get some more of that because I get the feeling that I'll be using it more frequently than I'd care of.

While my son did a decent enough job of shoveling us out, getting to the bus stop this morning was a bit of a task.  There are patches of ice everywhere; sidewalks, streets...With it being dark out, I tried to walk down the middle of the block to try and be "safe".  Our street goes down so I was a bit apprehensive.  Then when I got to the spot where the bus would pick me up, I saw that there was no way that I was going to be able to get over the pile of snow/ice. so I walked back to the corner (which was shoveled out...thanks to whoever did that) and stood in the street (as close to the sidewalk as I could) to wave down the bus driver.  Thankfully, he came right away and saw me.  (It took me longer to get to the bus stop than usual due to the snow/ice and my fear of slipping.  I am NOT ready to be that little old lady!)

Getting off the bus at the light rail station was not too bad.  It still required me climbing over some snow/ice, but there was less of it.  (I don't know if there was less snow in the area in general or if it was just better cleared.) I didn't have to wait too long for the light rail, which was not crowded at all.  (Are people staying home due to the temps?  Let me tell you, I really wish I could have, but I'm off tomorrow so that I can take my son back to college, so...)  The walk from Penn Station to my office through the indoor over the street corridors was a bit chilly, but I am grateful that it was just chilly and NOT as cold as it is outside.  (Although I could do without the cold air blowing in the office.  It's 0 degrees out for goodness’ sake.  Shouldn't we be getting WARM air?)

I suspect the trek home will be a challenge as well.  I really want to time it so that I don't have to wait too long for the bus.  However, due to traffic, I never seem to nail it.  The 4:04 comes early and I miss it.  The 4:10 comes late and instead of waiting 6 minutes I'm waiting 16 or 20.  I know that's not a lot to time, but when it's cold...it IS a lot of time.

Finally, as I was waiting for the light rail, across the track on the other side of the station was a homeless woman.  I've seen her on and off at the stop for the past year or so.  She seems to have a warm (ish), sleeping back or comforter, but it can't be warm enough.  She is always asleep when I see her.  I am glad to see her because when she's not there I worry that something bad has happened to her.  On the other hand, I am sad to see her because this is where she must be.  There are no easy answers here, but I know that I will be handing out my change to those that I see need it today on my trek back home.  The usual door holders that I see in the mornings were not there.  The entryway doors were propped open.  I hope that means that they have found shelter.  No matter who we are, no matter what our circumstances, we all need/deserve shelter.

If you are reading this, stay safe and warm wherever you are.  And do what you can to assist those in need.  (Even if it's just a smile and an acknowledgement.  We are all human and deserve to be treated as such.)

Only 57 days and 21 hours till spring!  





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