Monday, March 02, 2009

In Like A Lion

That would be the wild weather that starts March, hence the saying “in like a lion and out like a lamb.” It is what we are dealing with up here today. I took a yardstick outside before commencing to moving snow, and there was just over 14 inches in my driveway. Of course I don’t know how much of that can be attributed to drift because of the wind conditions, but I don’t think it’s a great deal.

One thing I can say is that this is a real impediment to travel. I had my regular physical therapy session at noon, and what normally is a 15 minute drive from my house to the place I go (which is in the same building as the orthopedic surgeon who did the repair) took almost double that. Part of the problem is the difference in quality of the roads between Goffstown and Manchester. The Goffstown roads are reasonably clear; in fact, the Highway department already has the sidewalk-clearing bobcat-type vehicles out. One just drove by my house, in fact. However, driving across the bridge into Manchester is another issue, as the city’s roads are really sloppy. Historically, it has always been like this in Manchester. I realize there are more roads in Manchester than in Goffstown (I think Manchester has on the order of 300 miles of roads compared to about 60 in Goffstown), but it is always a problem over there. And it causes more difficulties than it solves.

I took my son back to Keene yesterday. He’d been home for the weekend, and he called me at about 3:00 to ask me for a ride back. I had no idea that he was home, and he felt bad about not calling me sooner. So I spent about 4 hours with him. He hung out at my house with us until we had to leave, and when we got to Keene I took him out for supper at a place called the Port Authority Diner. For those of you familiar with Keene, it is on Gilbo Avenue in the same building as the bus station. And it’s not a traditional diner; much of what is on their menu is almost artisan or gourmet quality, but there are traditional favorites, too. I had a bowl of their “peasant soup”, which is basically beet borscht. It was absolutely excellent. Probably among the best borscht I’ve ever had. Not that I’m an expert with it – I’m not – but I know what I like. And this stuff was very, very good.

Back to the weather. One of the things I am keeping in mind is that even though we have more snow on the ground, this too will pass. It will melt. And the weather will warm up. The trees will produce buds, and allergy season will start in earnest. For some people, it already has; my friends who live in Southbridge, Massachusetts (whom I suspect I will actually meet face-to-face this weekend) are already dealing with some of this. In the valley areas south of where I live there are already buds on the trees, according to my friend Laura. Her husband, John, has started to show allergy symptoms. Sure, it’s a little early up here, but it happens. I suspect in another 3-4 weeks we’ll be dealing with it here, too. And I’ll have to get my Flonase prescription re-filled…

If you’re anywhere where there is snow falling, be safe on the roads. If you don’t have to drive, don’t. It is pretty ugly in some places.

5 comments:

TOTWTYTR said...

Borscht? I haven't even heard the word in years. My dad loved the stuff, although I can't stand it.

Borscht!

Unknown said...

I was brought up on it - I had a Polish grandmother, and she made all of that stuff. I even have recipes, somewhere....

TOTWTYTR said...

My grandmother was from somewhere in Russia, probably not too far from Poland. That's most likely where he got the appreciation for it. When I think of my father I often think of him eating Borscht. Weird, I know, but that's one thing that sticks in my mind.

I don't remember if my mother ever made it for him, but I'm certain that she hasn't made it since he died.

Evil Transport Lady said...

I hear you on the snow! We were lucky, it passed too far east to get very much (this time).

Stay safe!

Susie Hemingway said...

Hi Walt, we too have had a cold old winter, in the north of England and its still cold although the snow has gone now. Loved the bit about the soup (Borscht) sounds delicious to me, I make a mean Lentil soup with loads of cumin and a side dish of garlic croutons - nice to warm you up in these types of days. Nice Blog - good read