Officially Sick of Winter

This morning:

Today is brought to you by...

...the letters S, N, O & W. The letters S, N, O, & W thought they had been able to go on vacation after a long season of being the letters of the day. However, they were sorely mistaken. 2" of the fluffy white stuff fell last night.

The irony of the situation (and also probably the reason why it snowed)? I had the studded winter tires taken off the Outback yesterday.

I noticed in the national weather forecast that they were calling for near 90-degree temperatures in Florida today. Given the choice, I think I'd rather be here.

On An Irrelevant Note...

I had to shovel our driveway yesterday. It's April, and I'm still having to shovel snow off our driveway.

It's not that I'm tired of snow - I'm not sure that I could ever be tired of snow - it's that, eventually, that snow is going to have to melt. And I really don't like breakup. It's slushy, slippery, messy, and very yucky. If we're going to have to go through it (and, duh, we do), I'd prefer it just happen - and happen fast.

There's still 6" of snow that needs to melt. I'm thinking we'll have green grass sometime in mid-May. If we're lucky.

Sometimes a few words can change everything...

Isn't it interesting how a few words can result in an incredible "ah-ha!" moment? I just had one of those, as a result of these words:

Why blame the dark for being dark?
It's far more helpful to ask why the light isn't as bright as it should be.
- Rob Bell

These words can be found on the last page, oddly enough in the 'Last Word' feature, of the March-April 2006 issue of Relevant Magazine. Maybe they hit me so hard because I so often find myself pointing my finger in irritation or upset at the darkness of the world and brokenness of the people around me. Where is the grace that was shown me, that should be flowing through me to others? Where is the desire on my part to see others lifted up and glorified? Don't get me wrong - I'm more than willing to work for others to be lifted up and glorified, as long as I get some of the credit.

The reality is that the light in my life does not shine as brightly as it ought. So, perhaps instead of pointing my finger at the darkness, I should be pointing it at myself, asking, "Where is the light?"

Man, I Love This Place!

Man, I love this place!

The weather forecast today (I'd link to it, but when you check it, it'll be for a different day, so no links for you) was clear, sunny, and 32 degrees below freezing...also known as 0 degrees farenheit. They pretty much nailed the temperature...but the rest of it?
As I look out my window right now, it's overcast and snowing. Just a light snow, but snow nonetheless. I don't know what it is, but something about it snowing just makes me happy. I love snow.

Man, I love this place!

Of Volcanos and Snowfall

It's been one year now. Well, ok, a year and a week since I first moved to Alaska. Karey and Peter, interestingly enough, are in South Carolina right now - the same place they were a year ago. They come back on Monday, assuming a particular volcano doesn't cause problems for their flight. They celebrate their one year anniversary at the end of the month.

So that particular volcano is known as Augustine and sits in the mouth of the Cook Inlet, just a few hundred miles from Anchorage. It's been making noise and steaming for a while, but it decided to make its presence known this past week. It has started spewing ash in a series of small eruptions - five of which were yesterday. In a precautionary measure, Alaska Airlines cancelled 28 flights yesterday. I haven't heard of other airlines cancelling their flights. While I'm thrilled at the idea of a major eruption from a volcano near where I live, I really miss my family.

Of course, when I say that I'm thrilled about the idea of the volcano erupting, I'd prefer all of the nasty consequences not come to Anchorage. I'm referring to volcanic ash, which I understand is just a major pain. Apparently anything that needs air to do its thing (lungs, car engines, jet engines, heating systems) gets absolutely destroyed by volcanic ash. Not a nice thing.

Regarding the snowfall, there just hasn't been a whole lot of it. I mean, this is Alaska, right? I don't think it's snowed since Christmas. I keep waiting for that next major snowfall so we can get out and enjoy what Alaska has to offer in the wintertime. Well, what it has to offer outside of flat out cold temperatures.