Blizzard, Schmizzard

Summary

The author reflects on a recent minor blizzard, contrasting it with past experiences, and muses on the new chapter of life after retiring from a long career of labor.

Abstract

The article titled "Blizzard, Schmizzard" is a personal dispatch from the author, White Feather, who experienced a day of indoor confinement due to a modest snowstorm, deemed a blizzard by the local weather bureau. This classification is questioned by the author, who recalls a more intense snowfall during their time in Colorado. The narrative shifts from the weather to a profound life change, as the author describes retiring from a lifetime of hard work, likening themselves to a horse finally put out to pasture after years of labor. With the harness removed, the author embraces a new life filled with uncertainty and excitement, ready to explore the unknown with a mix of trepidation and eagerness.

Opinions

The author is skeptical about the local weather bureau's classification of the recent snowfall as a "blizzard," considering their experience with more severe weather conditions in Colorado.
The author admits to feeling claustrophobic when indoors for extended periods, highlighting their appreciation for the outdoors.
There is a sense of relief and freedom expressed by the author upon entering retirement, suggesting a long-awaited end to a life of hard work.
The author anticipates a variety of changes in retirement and is prepared to face them with both caution and enthusiasm.
The author seems to find humor in the situation, as indicated by the title "Blizzard, Schmizzard," which trivializes the severity of the weather event.

A very brief dispatch from the pasture

Yesterday, during the blizzard, I never once went out-of-doors. All day. That is very rare for me. I get claustrophobic when cooped up indoors.

Although we only got 3 inches of snow the local weather bureau officially labeled the snowstorm as a blizzard. Seriously? Back when I lived in Colorado we once got 52 inches of snow in 18 hours. Now that’s a blizzard! But 3 inches? I don’t think so.

But if it was enough snow to keep me indoors all day then maybe it really was a blizzard. Perhaps the definition of blizzard is not solely dependent on the depth of snow accumulation. There must be other factors. Besides, as we all know, everything is relative. It might not be a blizzard to me but it might be to some of my relatives.

But today the sun is shining in all its magnificent glory. Hallelujah! That means that throughout the day I will be serenaded by the sound of dripping water. Who doesn’t love that?

And today I will definitely be going outside. I’ve got a lot of places to go and things to do. After all, today is the second day of the rest of my life. My new life.

What’s new about it? Well, the biggest change is that I have slipped out of the harness and I am no longer a human beast of burden. Imagine you are a horse who pulls wagons all day, every day then after a long life of pulling wagons the harness is suddenly removed and you are put out to pasture. It’s kind of like that.

I have been dreaming of this for most of my life. I have been pulling wagons for many decades. And now I’m free; free at last! Again; hallelujah!

Of course there will be many other changes. I don’t have a clue what some of them will be but I will move into them with an odd combination of both trepidation and eagerness. I will embrace those changes.

I will get comfortable in the pasture.

Blizzard, Schmizzard

A very brief dispatch from the pasture

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