"Buffalo Winter has arrived early this year... 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York(a suburb of Buffalo)
and has worked inthe ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years.

Judith's house!

Buffalo Winter has arrived early this year

I remember growing up in Buffalo when the winters were long and the snow was an occurrence almost every day. We would build up forts at the end of our driveways with the plowed snow that would
accumulate at the ends and have snow ball fights frequently.  We  would spend hours playing outside building snow men and making angels in the snow.  We were bundled in layers by our mom and neverwere cold, I could stay out in the cold for hours.   I never gave it a thought that the weather was much different in other parts of the country. What did I know…   

As I began to get older, I realized that Winter is a great inconvenience to life events.  Many things are cancelled because of below zero temperatures and snow accumulation.  Schools, towns, roadways etc are shut down and cause us to put a halt on life. 

I never cared much for outdoor sports except for tobogganing.  As my children grew older they were engaged in snow boarding and we spent many a weekend trekking to the nearby ski resorts, I for one
stayed in the clubhouse  to keep warm. Every year I pray that we will not have a harsh winter…who  am I kidding…this is BUFFALO.

As I have become more mature while  adding up my birthday candles, I have come to realize that I really hate the winter.  Driving in it has become frightful especially when caught in a white out with slippery roads and darkness.  I am a careful driver but that doesn’t account for the patches of ice on the road or
a driver next to you in a hurry. 

 In my younger years I never gave it a second thought  running to the store in a storm; now it’s a different story.  I loathe going to work on the thruway and in the early morning darkness with snow falling down.  I don’t know if it is the age or I am just fed up with it. 

Our winter last year was a douse and this year coming so early looks like it will be a repeat.  Like last year, we took an early winter vacation out west and got out by the skin of our teeth with  flights that took 14 hours to complete with all the delays, but it was worth it. 


 I’m thinking I must get away again this winter;
it somehow makes things more bearable to return if it is still  a frozen tundra here.  Breaking up the winter is a great idea if you are able to do it. I feel retirement will be coming in the next decade and then we will make some serious plans to at least split the year.  

I think I know how our cat used to feel finding
a nice sunny spot on the carpet and taking a nap.  Not only is the sun warming but very uplifting  to see it every day.

So to all those “snowbirds” of which were my parents who spent 18 years going to Florida in the winters, I do envy you all.  Having the best of both worlds is a joy I look forward to.  Hopefully that plan
is in the cards for us.

P.S.
The new York Times has a good story and many photos on the Buffalo Snow storm of November 2014. Check it out;
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/nyregion/extreme-snowstorm-pummels-western-new-york.html?_r=0

P.S.S.
Check out this YouTube video of the storm;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoG2-XSINxw

Images of the Buffalo snow storm found on the Buffalo Bills Facebook Timeline

The view from inside Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard N.Y on Friday morning.
This Sundays NFL Football game between The new York Jets and Buffalo Bills has been cancelled.Game has been been moved to Monday night at Ford stadium in Detroit. Tickets are free for anyone who wants. Ticket holders for the the Jets Bills will be refunded or credited... 

Read more about the free tickets and game situation;
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24826740/bills-jets-tickets-will-be-free-for-monday-game-in-detroit

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...