According to the calendar, it’s still autumn, but according to the blustery winds and snow blowing around outside at this very moment it most surely is winter! Here in southwestern Virginia, the weather has been quite unusual so far this year. The ground saw very little snow last winter, and the spring, summer and fall up to this point have been warmer than usual and extremely dry. With the yearly rainfall amount at approximately half of normal, 2007 is on course to set a new record for the driest year ever!
The extreme heat we endured during the summer and early fall finally broke a month or so ago, treating us to a relatively short but sweet autumn. But that all came to an abrupt end a couple of days ago when a blast of wintry weather hit us like a cannon ball smashing through a plate-glass window. Just as the memories of last summer’s oppressive heat were beginning to fade, we find ourselves having to bundle up like we’re preparing for a trek across the frozen arctic tundra.
Of course one of America’s favorite pastimes has always been complaining about the weather, but it seems like there has been a lot more unpleasant weather to complain about in 2007 than in years past. With the arrival of 2008 just around the corner, hopefully it won’t be very long until we can get a fresh start weather-wise. In the meantime, let’s all just keep praying that the good Lord will send us a bunch of replenishing rain and snow to compliment his many wonderful blessings.