Snow bound, home bound

Many of you who read this are probably stuck at home after the snow storm like I am. Here in the south, when it snows it paralyzes us. That's because we lack the trucks and scrapers to clear the roads, not to mention that there are very few of us who know how to drive in this stuff. Just because you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle doesn't mean you are an expert snow driver (just check to see how many of them you see stranded in ditches).

Like everyone else we stocked up on food before the storm hit - you know, milk, bread and eggs so that like everyone else we could make French toast. Snug in our home watching the snow fall, we were set with all that we needed. The first day is pretty fun because the snow is new and fresh and the kids can play until they are all tired out. Then you get to the next day and the day after that. School gets canceled and you can't really go anywhere because only the main roads are passable and the road in your neighborhood is still treacherous, not to mention your own driveway.

All of this means that, whether you like it or not, you are now at home for quite possibly days at a time just you and your family. Are you driving each other crazy or are you taking advantage of this winter wonder land? What if the power went out or worse yet...the cable? What if the only things that you had to do were with each other? How would you handle that?

I've often wondered what it would be like to have pure family time without competing with TV, internet, phones, etc. As a child of the 1970's I enjoyed this quite a bit and when I try to recall the things we used to do what comes to mind are all sorts of organic activities. You know, playing outside, playing board games while sipping hot chocolate, sitting in front of the fire place reading. Why do these things seem more reminiscent of "Little House on the Prairie" than just a few years ago?

As one who really loves technology I struggle to come to terms with what I've just written. I find that even though I love spending time with my family, I often get so distracted by the comforts of technology and the ability to keep in touch with anyone and everyone that I don't always appreciate the simple benefits of just being with my family. So this morning we sat down and played bingo together, which is a good start. Let me encourage all of you not to look at being snow bound as the same as being stuck, because when you are with the ones you love you are never, ever stuck with anything.