Everyone I know is glued to their radar as they anticipate or dread the coming storm. It was less than a week ago that we were anticipating, or not, snow, in North Carolina. Turns out it was just cold then.

And it has been cold ever since.

It seems that people come down on one of two sides of snow anticipation or snow dread. You either love everything about snow, or you don’t. You either love all the little touches that snow brings such as hot cocoa, closed schools, or holing up in your warm house in your warmest clothes. Or you hate all the little touches that snow brings such as ice dams on the roof, or icy roads, or icy cars that won’t start because it is too cold.

Yes, I am on the anti-side when it comes to snow. I mean it’s pretty to look at but I don’t like to be out in it. I especially don’t like how other drivers react to snow. The thing about North Carolina is that less than 2% of drivers know how to drive in the snow. Others go too fast or drive down the center of the street because they can’t see the markings on the road.

On the healthcare side, patients ALWAYS make it in when there is snow or ice. I have spent more nights at the hospital because of the threat of inclement weather than I care to.

It all comes down to having good processes around snow. I prep my car with a sheet over the windshield and prop up the windshield wipers so that they don’t freeze to the windshield. When we get snow/ice that makes getting out of our neighborhood difficult (we have a steep hill) I park at the park and ride just outside of the neighborhood entrance. I haven’t had to for a couple of years as there has been minimal snow and ice and I also don’t work every day like I used to. I make sure that the cold winter gear is out of the coat closet and ready to use.

And, as always when I drive in the snow, I take it slow and don’t make any sudden movements or sudden braking. I am always watching other drivers and am prepared for evasive action at all times.

Driving in snow and on ice is a lot like handling a wild animal. Slow deliberate movements, don’t make any sudden movements in case you end up in a ditch. When I was at Creighton University we used to make fun of the drivers that ended up in ditches or the ones that we knew were going too fast and got themselves into trouble.

If you need me, I’ll be at home because I am off during these snow days.

Snow. It looks pretty but I don’t like to drive in it because of other drivers.