Basic Instince

[Naomi]

When the weather forecast says, sleet & snow does it trigger some basic instinct to store food?

Having lived many years in cold clements I understand preparing for winter storm warnings. But, what I have difficulty understanding is where I now live we have an average of 3 snow days a year. I am curious to know how they managed to average three whole days. Evidentially sometime long ago & far away they must have had a long stretch of snow because in the almost 20 years which I have lived here I can't remember more than perhaps a few hours when the roads were slick.

Back to my original question. Today we were told that indeed a winter front is coming through and we could have snow and ice until sometime tomorrow.

I went to the store for cat food. I bought $97.00 worth of stuff. And, my basket was empty compared to others.

Logically this behavior makes no sense. There is a grocery store within 10-15 minutes from anyplace in my small town.

Why do we "Lay-up" provisions? Is it basic instinct? Have you noticed such behavior in yourself, or in others?

Naomi

[Clio]

LOL! Now that's funny.

Here in Alaska, the summer is almost frantic as we harvest the bounty of the wilderness for winter!!!

When the sun goes down in September and darkness holds sway for most of the day (we're down to around 4 hours of daylight per day now), people focus on work, school, crafts, (LOTS of crafts) and generally come out to play now that the tourists are gone and the roads are nice and snowy and ready for things like 4-wheelers and snow machines.

When the forecast is for snow, you are likely to see the locals out playing on their snow machines. It for bitter cold? You gotta see the mercury dip below -25F before people start saying it's too cold to be out.

It's 55 degrees warmer today than it was on Sunday.

Clio

P.S. go ahead... ask what the temp is!!

[Nan]

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P.S. go ahead... ask what the temp is!!

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Clio, I dont even WANT to know - I do know that it was 40 deg Celsius in my part of Sydney yesterday !!! Which is around 104 in your numbers. And I am not too fond of that either <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Clio]

Oh but Nan... Now I just HAVE to tell you... just to cool you off!!!

It is.... *drumroll please* a positive 0.02542 degrees ABOVE zero.

Ok... so it's a shade more than 55 degrees warmer....

Clio

[Nan]

I think the only words I have Clio - you are welcome - and if it makes you feel warm or comfortable, enjoy <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/mittelgr124.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/coolhello.gif" alt="" />

I guess we get used to coping with our environment, extreme cold has very little attraction for me but obviously others cope and enjoy. <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Clio]

I found myself on the front porch this morning barefoot, in shorts, and a t-shirt to let the dog out.

The worst part is, I was thinking, "Wow! What a nice day!" and dilly-dallied about coming inside!

Clio

[Naomi]

Clio, I can appreciate your dress. One does adjust to the temp. Actually I prefer the cooler climents. When it is well over 100 here it is so hot you can't breath...your lungs screem for oxygen!

Our problem is that we have such rapid and drastic changes. Two days ago it was close to 90 and now 13. All regular TV programming has been interrupted for storm coverage. A command center is set up in City Hall. We have so many bridges and over passes. One over pass is 12 stories high. We simply don't have the equipment to deal with this and people who have never or rarely drive on ice and snow don't do it well.

If you can stay home and enjoy your hot tea as Puddles mentioned life is good ... and you can watch the "live-action" movies on TV.

Personally I like to take some fruit and warm it in a hot juice base and sip it with popcorn.

Naomi

[Clio]

Ohhhhh... give us your combinations of that fruit drink! It sounds wonderful... Ever spice it up a little with clove or cinnamon?

[Naomi]

Actually I use whatever I happen to have available at the time. A base of grape or apple juice is always nice. Or just slow cook your fruit for their own juice. You can use apple slices, peaches, grapes ... lots of grapes. Yes I sometimes use clove or cinnamon or ginger. There are as many combinations as you care to try.

[cricket]

On the opposite side of the spectrum, there are few who make it a point to venture out in just about any miserable weather.

When I was a teenager, I worked at a movie theater. The theater was never closed for any occasion or inclement weather. No matter the day, time or weather someone was always there to see a movie, eat popcorn and just "get out of the house."

Now that I am older, I can understand the urge to be able to get out of the house. Although there are times when I stay home for two or three days in a row, if the weather ever gets bad, I feel like I just have to get out!