Lola at the Coffee House

You aren't exaggerating very much, but you are perhaps being a bit unfare to yourselves. Our cities at the mid latitudes, where heavy snowfall is an occasional but not an every year inevitable experience, usually find themselves at near paralysis with a heavy snowfall. Washington DC is somewhat famous for this, as are other cities like Richmond, St Louis, Kansas City etc. Conversely where heavy snowfall and bitterly cold weather is a near certainty (places likeBoston, Chicago, Denver, Mineapolis, etc) are generally well prepared for it and the folks there proficient at dealing with it.

True. Here in Tulsa, we do not have serious snow removal equipment. They will throw a little sand and salt mixture on the major streets, but that's about it. The problem is getting to the major streets. The neighborhoods get iced in.

I spent a winter in Cleveland, Ohio some years ago. They had 77" of snow that year. (Tulsa averages about 7-10".) But even Cleveland's suburban neighborhood streets were cleared by 8 a.m. each morning. Compared to Tulsa drivers, people in Cleveland did not know how to drive on snow and ice. They rarely have to, and they skid all over the place when they do encounter it. We get more practice than they do, despite the fact that they get ten times as much snow.

Today, however, I am breathing a big sigh of relief. We were expecting a major snowstorm last night and this morning that would close everything, but we lucked out. It just missed us!

I think I'll have a hot chocolate anyway, Wassau. It just sounds good.

Yeah, I was there the day it happened, and lots of other days just like it. The freezing rains were memorable, as well.

Spendi, dear, you delightful ole coote. Asshole intellectuals are assholes. But functional intellectuals are sometimes pleasant and always interested in food and drink.

In case you don't understand the reference to "coote" above, I've gone to the trouble of coping and pasting the urban dictionary's definition of the word for you since I'm soooooo accommodating and desirable.

*

But I would never ignore you spendi.

Of course, some old coots appear stupid at first glance. Subsequent glances often confirm.

This is true, Berty. Dallas and Portland are two other cities in which a little snow brings yippeeee!! a holiday. We all get to stay home and play. But it's disastrous for small businesses like jewelry stores trying to make a living at Christmas time.

nummy nummy hot chocolate for Eva. Lucky her, no snow. And Wassau, can that new girl Serena put another log on the fire. I want to sit with my friend Eva and have hot chocolate too.

So Eva, so nice to see you here.

Now Roger, you know spendi is clever. He's demonstrated it time and again. He's also an ole coote. But not you, Roger. You're a pleasant intellectual, like me.

Your respnse to Spendi was perfect. I enjoyed it as much as I enjoy him when he is working hard to be slightly obnoxious. He never quite makes it and that adds to my pleasure.

Good to see you all here. I'm back after a too-long trip and too much serious, but slightly boring stuff. Days of meetings pubnctuated with a great dinner with five brothers & sisters & their spouses at one end and a visit with a son, granddaughter and mom at the other. The end was an extended two leg flight on Southwest on completely full aircraft and with a diversion and a long delay in the middle due to a storm. Never again!

I need a drink!

whattayahavin, O'george? I'll get Serena to bring it over. Too much time on a crowded plane is misery and not good for your circulation.

Yeah, and I'm trying to get it started.

You sound like Setanta. I'll have burbon & rocks.

I borrowed it from Set. It's perfect. And burbon and rocks is here now. This is Serena. Isn't she perfect?

nice torts !

Very and they're just for you. Laughing............ I decided we needed a sexy young thing around here.

and here I am.

Were up to 125 lambs I need 3 hot chocolates to go REAL HOT!! and sweet. Im on night duty in the barn

oh boy Serena is hurrying as fast as a girl with so much serenity can. I wish I could come out to the barn too. Here, I'll get my great big ole coat and join you for a while. You go on, I'll bring the hot chocolates.

WOW! That barn action was impressive. But now I have to go to bed. Good night Wassau and Sybil. See you in the morning.

I'd like a coffee . . . and three eggses over easy, some home fries and some cripsy bacon . . .

(I know, i know, i spelled it that way on purpose . . .)

You fellahs are too fond of thinking about your stomachs. So I'm taking you all on a ten-mile hike.
Get your boots on and line up in the yard.

Hold up . . . i'll get 'em to pack me some sammiches . . .