As I have said before,  I live in Iowa.  Right now in Sioux City, Iowa during the past couple weeks we have had about three feet of snow and very cold temperatures.  Actually, "very cold temperatures" is an understatement akin to saying we had a little accident after the levees broke. The news is now reporting that tomorrow it will be -50 degrees with the wind chill.  With or without the windchill that is downright cold.

This was a mega big storm we had, dropping two and a half feet of snow on us.  Blessedly, Mother Nature did it over three days, one of which was Christmas Day.  It was actually quite beautiful and peaceful.  And our cable didn't go out so it was fun.  And I didn't have to shovel because I was laid up from having back surgery.  Conditions were good for enjoying a snow storm.  It reminded me of a snow storm that happened when I was a girl living in NYC.  It was 1977 or 78, I'm sure I could find out.  We got a couple feet of snow and school was closed and I hit the street.  I had a crew of friends I hung out with from the neighborhood.  Dawn, Allegra, Coral, Casey and MiMi.  I can't remember now what configuration of friends it was, but it was definitely someone on that list.

NYC, preternaturally quiet on a weekday morning.  No people walking around.  Walking through snow that came up to my thighs.  All the stoops were covered with snow which made a perfect slide if patted the snow down just right.  Walking in the middle of second avenue with no cars there, right down the center.  New York apartment buildings, at least the older ones, sometimes have courtyards in the back.  If you are familiar with a neighborhood or a particular building and you're a kid you know how to get into and out of them.  We visited all the courtyards we knew, making snow angels and throwing snow at each other and just looking.  Seeing the city like that was.... magical.  It's one of those memories I have of childhood that's still crystal clear and good.  Ah, the joy of being a child.

These snowstorms have got me thinking about what happens in America when something big happens.  We've all seen it, when there's a dangerous storm or we are attacked by terrorists, or there is a calamity people come together to help.  It happens after snowstorms.  Maybe your neighbor will snow blow your walk for you or jump start your car.  Someone is stuck in the snow, someone will help push him out.  It's a shared living experience of people working towards a common goal.  See where I'm going with this?  People feel good about working together and accomplishing something.  It feels good to be in harmony with others.  Maybe one of the best feelings around.  It feels good to do something useful.  It feels good to help others.  Anyone who has done any volunteer work knows the paybacks far outweigh the pay-ins.  

So why does our America today feel more isolating then ever (she asks as she sits alone typing on her computer).  We come together so well during disasters, why not on a Thursday afternoon?  When is President Obama going to ask us to do something.  I want to do something.