..is the basic process for forming a four letter word that causes a variety of emotional and physical reactions in, well, a variety of people. Either you love it, or you hate it. Many times age has a lot to do with how people feel about SNOW.

For children it may mean no school, sledding, or other winter activities. For drivers, it means more attention to driving should be necessary. Travel time must be adjusted. Well, walkers have the same problem. Walkers also have to walk carefully and often step over snow removed from the driving lane, then deposited in the path of the walkers attempting to cross the street.

Snow plow or tow truck drivers might have mixed emotions, but those who operate ski areas are probably happy. My dad used to say that snow may be the motel operator’s best friend (ice and fog also). Insurance agents, well they seldom change.

It was interesting, today, walking around the business district to notice that sidewalks on one block were clear of snow, and business owners have shoveled out paths from the street to make it easier to get to the sidewalk. Homemade signs ask people not to block pathways from the street.

The worst of any corner was at 117 & 24. In order to cross I had to carefully step on and over ridges of piled snow, while watching to make sure traffic obeyed the traffic lights. Now, that’s multi-tasking! The clearest walks were around the courthouse.
The four letter word usually leads to a three letter word – ice, and what a revoltin’ development this is!

Jerry Riley comments for the News Bulletin. He is a retired telecommunications supervisor. © 2014 All Rights Reserved