If you spent any amount of time on social media on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, you were made aware that it was snowing. “Oh my, I am not ready for this yet,” one of my friends posted. “I don’t mind the snow, but I hate seeing cars spinning out next to me,” another friend added. “This **** is here WAY *** TOO **** SOON,” concluded another (for printability, there were some colorfully descriptive words removed). For many of my friends, it seemed like this was the first time that they had ever seen snow in October. It happens and it happens quite often. As a matter of fact, according to www.weather-us.com, “October is usually the first month it typically snows.” Typically, as in most cases; usually. This wasn’t even the first snowfall of 2020. We had already experienced individual ice crystals that grew while suspended in the atmosphere which fell from the clouds and landed on the ground (that’s a fancy, schmancy way of saying snow). The snow on October 20th has been measured in the area at depths of up to nine inches and, it seems that the accumulation is what caused people to lose their ever-loving minds.

The October 20th snowfall was of significant and historic magnitude as it was the 2nd largest October snowstorm on record. Of course, there was plenty of banter on social media asking, “Where were you on Halloween of 1991?” The Halloween Blizzard of 1991 still holds the top mark for largest October snowfall. The blast we received on October 20, 2020 is the earliest “big snow” on record and combined with the higher levels of accumulation, certainly is one for the history books. It shouldn’t be a surprise that it happened as if nothing else, it is 2020 and damn near anything seems to be possible. Would it surprise anyone if “Abominable Snow Creatures” began to form and overtake the area? Probably not? We live in an area where it snows and, it snows early and often.

Another consistent thread on social media revolved around the theme of “Come on folks… Did you forget how to drive in the snow?” Many of the photos that popped up on the internet were of accumulations being measured off the tops of patio furniture. Caption this photo as, “Crud, we still have to put the patio furniture away and NOW it is covered with snow.” A photo illustrating a solid mix of snow and leaves with more leaves still on the tree might be captioned, “There is still yard work to be completed… damn you snow!!!” Could it be that people are not surprised when it snows in October at all but instead, they become quite frustrated as they were not prepared for the snow? Frustration can easily cause angst and an angry driver is never a good thing. Again, it is 2020 so it certainly “could be” possible but if this would be your view, explain to me the complete loss of ability to maneuver a motor vehicle in the snow?

It does become painfully obvious during the first few snows that many drivers are not in the right frame of mind to be on the road. Even the most confident ‘one hand on the wheel’ type can become a ‘grip the steering wheel so tight that indentions may never come out’ driver who forgets where the gas pedal is and what function it provides. They darn sure know where the brakes are and judging by the ditched vehicles; applied more than ample pressure. There is nothing wrong with a bit of caution during various meteorological events such as a significant snowfall; It should be a given, however, there is such a thing as too much caution.

The following tips are available from AAA for driving in snow. Acceleration and deceleration should both be done in a slower matter than normal. Know your brakes and do not SLAM them on at any time in snow or icy conditions. Don’t stop if you can avoid it or it is required by a traffic signal or sign. If you don’t need to go out or if you are not confident in your abilities when it comes to operating a motor vehicle in the snow… stay home. This is all simple stuff, yet that first snowfall turns many a competent motor vehicle operator into a stumbling, bumbling and fumbling idiot out on the highways and byways. Combine that with the over-confident “I’m driving a 4×4 truck jacked up so high that an Oompa Loompa could walk under it, so get the hell out of my way” types and you have a recipe for disaster. I truly believe that it all boils down to frustration. We all have plenty of things that frustrate us… how we handle the frustrations of life just might be the key. We all know that person who it could be said “just likes to complain.” I am not sure anyone really likes to complain; it just seems to be more present in some people’s nature. Could complaining less reduce the amount of frustration in our lives? Possibly?

Often early snow like this in “Minnesconsin” tends to melt almost as quickly as it accumulated because the ground is not frozen, and the weather is usually still above the 32 degrees necessary to keep the fluffy white stuff around. Not this year though… oh no… NOT in 2020. We are now living in the snowiest October on record. Maybe those snow creatures need more accumulation to begin to form? For those who do not enjoy winter or, like me still have a few more things to do in the yard (heck, two of our biggest trees are still full of leaves), a deep breath may be in order here and say these words… “It Is What It Is!!”

Instead of getting more and more frustrated with things that we have absolutely no control over, let us try to embrace them. Maybe we need to let our minds go back to another time when we enjoyed the snow? For example, a “snow” memory that many who grew up in this area have is going “sledding” at one of the area hills. As we age, going down the hill is easier than getting back up the hill and not all hills are created for the “chronologically advanced” as the sudden stops at the end of a run can be quite painful. Like driving a car, if you just use a little extra caution, everything “should” be fine. If sledding isn’t your thing, it won’t be long that the outdoor ice rinks will be open and strapping the blades on becomes an option. Pick up hockey games at Wilson Park or behind Kennedy School are another winter memory shared by many who grew up in my old neighborhood on Hastings Eastside. The thought of falling flat on your… well, any body part for that matter, on the ice may not be your thing either, although remember, with most injuries you are supposed to ice it the first 72 hours. Your landing pad has built in medication… just sit there awhile and maybe it will feel better? Bruises eventually go away, and broken bones heal… just think of the fun you had reliving days gone by and you will be “fine.”

There are plenty of things we can do OUTDOORS that may help us reduce our frustrations. From the winter hike, skiing (downhill or cross country), snowmobiling and IN TIME (please let the ice set – don’t become a statistic), drilling some holes on the pond chasing fish is a great way to deal with frustration (unless the bite is really slow). No matter what you do; you need to take the time to do it. When it is cold outside and the sun goes down by 4:30pm, it is easy to stay inside and hibernate. Don’t get me wrong, sitting in front of the fireplace with a warm beverage (or cold) and relaxing is wonderful and not an activity that shouldn’t be appreciated. The fact is, we need that Vitamin D from Mr. Sun and at this time of the year, that comes at a premium.

If you are a “freeze baby” and simply dislike winter, snow, ice and pretty much anything that has to do with cold weather, I am pretty sure I won’t be changing your mind and you will just sit inside your home this winter bundled up and frustrated. If you are willing to get out there – the Outdoor Adventures await you AND here is the bonus added to wintery type outdoor activities: “WARMING UP.” A LONG warm shower followed by getting into some comfy clothes, a cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa on the couch with the fireplace going, a long sit in the hot tub, a shot (or two) of whiskey… No matter how you warm up afterwards, you have the memories that you made at that sledding hill, on the snowmobile trails or out on the ice rink. Sometimes, just getting outside is all you need to reduce your frustration and in 2020… reducing your frustration may be more necessary than ever before. Get out and ENJOY the Great Outdoors.