I am struck by the vastly different viewpoints in the Nashville area, regarding snow. Over this current weekend, Nashville has been, I will use the word, plagued, by snowfall. As is common here when snow does decide to show a presence, we have been graced with about 4″, which is by no means a blizzard. And for me, that is more than enough. Anyway, snowfall, yes, coupled with freezing rain which has continued to thaw and refreeze as of this writing. I look out my window and see the beautiful, warming sun, which is always a welcome sight in my life. I also see a slight blanket of snow and I see the frozen tracks of some brave souls who have made it out of this parking lot, albeit, sliding all the way.

It is likely obvious what my opinion is on this wintery stuff. Being from New England, I abhor it. Yes, a strong word. For me, it is nothing more than a complete nuisance, having to be dealt with using shovels, scrapers, boots, lots of outer wear, and complete and utter care in walking or driving anywhere. There is nothing about this scenario I welcome. In my experience with it, we no sooner have it shoveled to the side of our driveways and roads, when another lovely winter dropping greets us with more work and angst.

I have lived in Nashville for just over a year at this point, and am also a Facebook person. So, I have been able to continue to connect with friends and family up north, as well as read the musings of my new friends and acquaintances here. I am finding it to be a great communication tool. And I am also finding it, I’ll say, “interesting”, to read the various attitudes toward this snowfall and resulting icy road conditions. There are those who are in agreement with my attitude toward it. Others - most likely those who are either natives to this area or have lived here long enough to have forgotten..are enchanted with this snowfall event. Children are finding ways to slide on the slightest hills, because they rarely have that “treat”. Their parents are part of that delight not only watching their children but also partaking in the fun. Many see the snow, as it falls, as beautiful. I’m sure that applies before the people, animals and various transportation vehicles get out there, but nonetheless that is the remark I see and hear. One friend lamented this morning, as the snow plow finally arrived on her street, in favor of letting it melt naturally. And I am reminded of the stark difference in attitude about the weather.

Of course, it all depends upon ones experience, just as anything else in life. If we have what we feel is a negative or not so happy experience, we tend to want to stay away from repeating whatever it is. I know I do, and living where there is any possibility of snow is high on that list for me. Granted, Nashville sees this type of hazardous condition, as I will continue to refer to it, rarely. And that is a huge plus as far as I’m concerned. But when it does happen, everything is closed. School announcements are made literally the day before any predicted “storm”. Then we wait and see what happens. Last year, my son and I chuckled over an announcement that schools would be closed the following day because it might be too cold. To say the roads are not well kept during these storms is an under-statement. And, yes, I realize the reasons; lack of equipment because of typical lack of need. But I say what about the days like Friday and Saturday of this week? What about safety?

So, this Sunday morning, while I am still waiting for this stuff to just go away, and remembering that warmer days are only a short distance in the future, I will also think of the days way back when, when I did understand how snow could be fun because I had no responsibility for driving in it or moving it out of the way. I can remember the excitement of schools being closed; when they were – - after all, we were up north. And I will appreciate the lesson here that we, as individuals, have different perceptions on many things – large and small – and the weather is a part of that. Those perceptions are drawn from our experiences and possibly somewhat are learned behaviors. With regard to this snow and ice, I will continue to wish it away for good, and I will continue to smile when I read or hear my Nashville friends express their joy in its arrival. Whether I totally understand it or not.