It is human nature to complain. I know this. But I have never seen the like of gripe-filled posts about this snow. And the majority are horse owners. I’m not sure if I see more from them because I’m friends with more horse owners than cattle owners (I think it’s a pretty even split), or if it’s because horse people are more vocal about things.
But it confuses me.
We live in the hills of Tennessee. Snow is a given. We never know how much, or how long it will last, but we know cold weather is coming for a good three months of the year. If you don’t like it, or are ill-prepared to deal with it, may I suggest moving to town? Or moving further south? Or simply just not having horses? Horses are a luxury afforded to few. They serve no purpose beyond making you happy. And if you’re this miserable taking care of them in the short winter we have, maybe you shouldn’t have them.
I don’t have horses anymore and that’s about 50% of the reason. The other half is cost. Horses are outrageously expensive if you keep them in the manner in which you should.
I liked the snow just fine. Thankfully, my heat stayed on or I would have been in a bit of a pickle, as all my firewood is wet and old. I didn’t have to get out because I had plenty of food and fortunately I don’t hold a job that requires me to get there in inclement weather. When I did have such a job, I used vacation time that I had squirrelled away or the Rescue Squad came and got me (true story, several times. Dispatch doesn’t close).
So. If those of you who are bellyaching about snow would stop and reassess what’s most important to you, horses or staying warm and being able to go and do, maybe you would relabel your list of priorities.
Can’t see your family on Christmas? Thank goodness for telephones and FaceTime. Internet down? Maybe it’s time to read a book or color or play cards. How long has it been since you’ve seen your family, anyway? Why do you wait till Christmas? No heat? Guess you’ll be buying a generator or wood stove with that Christmas cash. Car slid in a ditch? Where were you going and was it worth it? Pipes burst? That’s no good and I’m really, really sorry. There is a product called heat tape but I’m not sure how it works.
Thank God for the linemen, plow drivers, and tree guys who had to be away from their family this whole time, working out in the cold. Thank God for the soldiers who work in extreme heat year round to keep us safe from outside forces. Thank God for the grocery store employees and truck drivers and farmers, ensuring we always have fresh food. Thank God for the emergency personnel who have to report to work so somebody can come save you if you have a stroke from getting all het up about the weather or if you crash your fool self in a ditch while you were out skittering about looking at the snow. These people have to be out, they have to go to work, and they knew it when they took the job. Just like you did, when you chose to have horses.
Thank you for the majority of you who did not complain. Who were simply thankful for whatever kind of heat you managed to have and for the food in your belly. Thank you to those of you who made it the best Christmas you could. Thank you for my friends that take obstacles in stride and find a way to laugh it off or even see beauty in the simplicity of this snow filled holiday. Because there is certainly enough hate, enough division, enough sickness to last us all the rest of our lives.
To a better attitude for us all, myself included. 🥂