Snow Daze
A foot of snow has fallen in Seattle since this afternoon. The city is inundated and sedated under the thick blanket. The news shows snow plows manned by determined and upbeat lesbians working overtime, clearing highways and whatever else they can. The bus system is ill-prepared discombobulated and overloaded. Two tour buses slid down an icy hill and almost careened onto I-5, prompting spectacular headlines and national media attention. People swarmed shopping malls and grocery stores to do Christmas shopping and to stock up on supplies. Local news crews are posted at the bottom of the hills, and the dark glittering city has been suffocated in fluffy white snow. The neighborhood has come alive. Kids are outside as much as possible. Families spend time together. My dad actually suggested playing a board game tonight. People walk everywhere and smile or say hello when they pass. Convenience stores are stocking up and selling out. Saleh's had all their staff on hand and were doing a roaring trade in firewood, milk and booze. There was a man snowmobiling down 17th. With the snow suffocating everyone else, old Ballard is coming through the woodwork, surviving and thriving. Through everyone else's crisis, we plod onwards, and we become a neighborhood again, not just a collection of cars and condominiums.