Wisconsin Weather Isn't That Bad...At Least It's Safe

As I was taking down my St. Patrick’s Day decorations this week and putting up my spring/Easter stuff, I thought to myself - what a crazy week we’ve had weather-wise! Just last week we had temperatures in the 60’s and this week, when it’s finally supposed to be the official start of spring… we get more snow! Really, I know I shouldn’t complain though, right? It’s not like Greendale is Green Bay, where they received nearly 18 inches of snow the other day.

Besides, it is still only March and you know what they say - if you don’t like the weather here, just wait five minutes. In reality, though, if I had to pick anywhere to live based on the chance of a natural disaster, this would be a pretty good spot. Other than a few blizzards and the occasional heavy rainstorm or rare tornado, we don’t have to deal with raging canyon fires, widespread flooding, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis or earthquakes. 

Which of course makes me think of Japan and the horrifying images on the news over the past 14 days since that country was hit by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and the ensuing tsunami. The latest reports say that the confirmed death toll has now surpassed the 10,000 mark and there are over 17,000 people still missing. Those numbers are staggering. If you think about it, that is more than the entire population of our village! On top of the heartbreaking loss of life, the Japanese are also struggling to deal with a possible nuclear meltdown. As a parent, I find it particularly tough to hear the stories of schools that were wiped out, taking students and teachers with them, and the families that have been torn apart. It’s hard enough as an adult trying to wrap your head around the size of the disaster, much less trying to explain it to my younger children.

Once again, it makes me thankful to live where I do. I guess in the overall scheme of things, a little dusting of snow seems pretty minor.