These questions wafted around the grocery store yesterday as I was filling my list. Folk on phones or talking among themselves wondered out-loud.

“It’s winter. What do you expect?” Our old neighbor would say. Very little frazzled that wonderful old woman. She lived through lots of winters.

It is snow. Apparently a BIG snow. Radio stations and news headlines blasting warnings and predictions of freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall for much of the East and South.

I do not mind weather forecasts. They help keep us informed of possible inclement weather. ‘Be Prepared’ is a good motto to live by (Thank You, Boy Scouts).

However, I do object to trying to be made fearful or worse, panic. Weather forecasts for small or large farmers is important and more often than not dictate our days work. So when the sky looks threatening and storms are in the forecast we do pay attention. We prepare. We will not worry. It is wintertime.