Snow Days in the South

BRRRR!!!! It's cold outside down here in Atlanta! I have talked to people in my hometown of Greenville who say it is cold there as well. This got me thinking.... Southern people completely FREAK OUT when John Cessarich or Jack Roper (local upstate SC weathermen) call for snow. Why? Well, actually, they don't even have to call for snow. They mention the words freezing rain, sleet, ice, etc., and the entire region rushes to their local grocer to stock up on, yes, i know, bread and milk.

This poses another question- why bread and milk? I mean, seriously, if you are going to be stuck in a house for several days, which is what Southerners think is going to happen, why would you want bread and milk? why not get the filets and steaks? Or the really good wine, you aren't going to be driving anywhere. I mean, why not take this time to live it up at home, splurge and throw out all the stops...

Anyway, back to the threat of snow in the South. Here's kind of a typical happening. Okay, first, the weatherman promises freezing weather, temperatures below freezing, AAGGGHHH!!!! Then, the typical Southern family sits glued to the television set watching the ticker across the bottom of the screen to see if their child's school is closed for the day, or if there is a delay. (don't forget this is just because of potential freezing precipitation.)

Next, the fam bundles up in their warmest garb, they will take no risk letting the cold air hit their faces, hands, etc. This 'gear' includes, but is not limited to, long underwear, wool socks, rubber boots or cold weather shoes, turtle necks, wool sweaters, the warmest, biggest, fluffiest jacket or coat they own, gloves or mittens, scarves, ear muffs, hats, face masks, etc.; you name it, it's on! I forgot to mention that Dad has started the car about 30 minutes ago to make absolutely positively sure that the family won't be cold when they head to the grocery store.

Which brings me to my second question about the items purchased at the store. Bread and milk. So, the family piles into the grocery store. Shedding layers and shivering when they see the other patrons. This gesture is simply to acknowledge the weatherman's predictions and also to give justification as to why the entire family looks like the Michelin man. This trip is unusual and out of typical routine seeing as how the family splits up. Mom to the dairy section, Dad to the bread aisle. Meet back at the front. Because this Southern family is so prompt in their freezing weather preparations, there is still bread and milk! SCORE! They will survive the snow. Both Mom and Dad walk victoriously back to the front of the store proudly displaying their survival items. Dad drops the bread off with Mom and bundles back up and heads outside to restart the car. (it's only been 5 minutes, but, IT'S GONNA SNOW!!! Mom stands in line to pay for the two items along with the rest of the neighborhood. They exchange pleasantries about the weather, and what they have heard is going to happen, and how many inches, blah blah blah!

Well, you get the idea. It's insane. The rest of the day for the typical Southern family who is waiting on snow is pretty low key. Kids sit by windows watching and waiting for that first flake. "Look, Snow!" "No, wait, never mind!" Moms bask in a day where they don't have to go anywhere, excluding the grocery store, don't have to really do anything. It is a free pass day for them just like the kids. Dads build fires and dig out the sleds and watch the news and weather channel so that he can be up to date with every change and detail in the weather.

When it does snow that inch,that glorious inch, it is like Christmas all over the South! Kids practically roll out of their front doors, (rolling because they're so bundled up) sleds in tow, to the nearest hill. Kids meet up with friends and trade sleds and throw snowballs and build snowmen and make snow angels and just have fun in what is probably the only 'winter storm' of the season. Parents, well, they all congregate in the streets and yards drinking milk.