Chuck's Chat - Welcome to February!
It is a balmy 55 degrees, 93% humidity and no wind as I compose this along the Northern Sycamore Urban Boundary on the morning of February 1. All indications are that will change drastically within the next 24 to 36 hours. So much so that every news media outlet, weather service, local emergency services departments, and arthritic joints are predicting what seems to be the first Midwest snow, sleet, and ice event ever seen by mankind.
Don’t get me wrong; I believe in being prepared as much as the next guy. But the constant bombardment of doom and gloom in society has got to end sometime. We’ve all lived through heavy snowfall, even though much of the under thirty crowd has never really experienced it. Iced over and downed power lines have happened before, and we lived through it. “Bridges and elevated surfaces may become treacherous.” No kidding, common sense says that anything freezing temperature air can blow over, under, and through is going to take its toll. And schools will close at the first sign of snowflakes. Snowflakes, there’s a subject for another day.
And don’t be buying up all the toilet paper, eggs, bread and milk in the grocery stores. Just how much French toast do you plan to make? Better pick up some syrup while you’re at it. By Saturday, temperatures around here will be near 40. And besides that, road crews will be out the entire time, putting down enough salt and brine solution to make the roads drivable. Even though the speed limit says 65, pay attention to the driving conditions. Leave home a little sooner for work or whatever appointment. There are enough idiot drivers out there without you becoming one of them as well. Don’t become a statistic.
Livestock producers will be putting out extra hay, feed and bedding prior to the storm’s arrival. Many producers have started calving, and that brings along a whole other set of obligations. But they’re not seeking pity. It’s just a part of the life they chose, and if you eat meat, (and you should), you should be thankful that there are still men and women who go out of their way to care for the future of your summertime backyard grilling party. While many folks who live and work in the same town will claim they can’t make it to work, farmers and ranchers will be out there driving on the snow and ice to care for their stock. Snowflakes…
I guess that’s enough old man rant for now. Well, I suppose I better go put out some feed and hay and fill the water tanks while it’s nice out. Yes, I will remember to drain the hoses and let them hang from a tree limb so I can find them if needed. Might even gas up the ol’ truck just in case. Good luck to my fellow agriculturalists.
Be smart. Be safe. Stay strong.
God Bless America
Chuck Voelker