​ISSUE 977 - APRIL 2023



My Toastmasters' club meets every Thursday at 7:00 a.m. That statement is now literal, thanks to Zoom. 

I don't know about you, but ever since this pandemic has "slacked off," I feel like I've been on Zoom more than I was during the height of the pandemic. We are supposedly going back to in-person, but I'm on Zoom twice as much as I am attending non-electronic face-to-face get-togethers (it’s gotten very complicated, hasn’t it?). Being a relationship, look-in-your-real-eyes kind of girl, I dislike it immensely. 

In the good old days, when our club followed District 11's snow policy, we would get a snow day if they got a snow day. Not any more. 

The same holds true with any other meeting scheduled for that would-be, should-be, snow day. Everybody jumps on Zoom. It's the immediate solution to NOT taking a day off that has been graciously granted by the weather gods.

This sad truth stood out the other day as I was heading down to my office at 6:45 in the mornning. Zoom is so messing with the 'snow day' universal law, which is older than man’s existence (little known fact). 

Instead of enjoying my snuggly warm bed on that beautiful, peaceful snowy day, I got up. I had to put on my makeup and a decent shirt and do my hair. I’ve come to find out that ignoring proper protocols for South of the belly button is risky business. Needing to stand up suddenly and unexpectedly while on Zoom can happen, so always wear suitable pants. This may or may not be knowledge gathered from personal experience.

Once upon a time, we accepted the gift of a snow day with great anticipation and appreciation because the benefits are many. 

One such benefit, strangely enough, is going outside and enjoying the snow! Once you leisurely un-snuggle yourself from bed, you put on layers and layers of clothes, lay down in the snow, and make angels (it’s an appropriate thank you to display snow angels to weather gods, don’t you think?). 

Or maybe a snowball fight is in order so that you can get that cold white stuff up your sleeves and down your neck. Let's not forget making new friends, literally. Making snowpeople and finding them the right accessories is always a favorite. Chatting with your neighbors as you shovel walkways and driveways is an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest neighborhood gossip. All of these community-building activities will only happen if we are NOT all in a meeting on Zoom!

Snow days are a lucky surprise day off to catch up on life or just completely relax. The luxurious feeling of ‘found’ time to do whatever you want (starting a jigsaw puzzle is my choice) is truly a gift. Giving your kiddos your undivided attention, playing in the snow, or curling up in front of the fire with that book, is what snow days are all about. A needed break from your routine is like a mini-vacation in and of itself. I fear snow days may be a thing of the past. I certainly hope not. 

Several Thursday mornings this winter had inclement weather due to snow the previous night or wind chills below zero, conditions warranting a snow day. We gathered anyway. Curse you, Zoom! 
​
©2023 Vivian Cobb, DTM