Snohio – Fear of white stuff.

Living in Cincinnati can be interesting and weird.

We first moved here over ten years ago and people told us of their fear of snow. Cheryl and I have lived in Montreal, Goose Bay, Toronto, Chicago, Salt Lake City and perhaps another place or two along the way. Snow in the cities above is commonplace, planned for and only very large snowfalls cause any concern.

Folks here in Cincinnati think of snow as some sort of paralysing substance that cannot be reckoned with. Traffic stops, schools and businesses close and churches open for folks to pray in for no more snow.

The mere mention of snow in the forecast, causes folks here head to the gas stations and grocery stores to stock up on all staples that they might need if the snow kept up for several days and weeks.

Just yesterday the forecasters were talking about 3 to 5 inches of snow to fall in next 24 to 48 hours. Can you imagine that? A whopping 5 inches of snow! The news people were reporting that the grocery stores were full and the lines were long.

Cheryl and I figured, we'd wait for the snow day to go grocery shopping when folks were home and comfortable. No one goes to work here on snow days. Waiting till today for groceries was a dumb idea because as we got there, the cupboard was bare.

The Kroger Store shelves looked like a tornado had run through the place. The fresh tomatoes were uninviting, the oranges looked even worse. Never shop on a snow day!

As I type this, I'm looking out my window at about 4 inches of snow. This city has just declared a "Snow Emergency".

I remain incredulous.

The one positive thing is that I hear the Bengals are practicing in the snow getting ready to whomp the NY Jets this weekend!