The weather certainly has a way of reminding us how we are hard wired to nature.  Stopping at a food store on Friday to pick up loaf of French bread for dinner, I thought I had run into an unannounced special sale.  There were literally no parking spaces.  I had to wind my way to the outer reaches of this typically unused section of the parking lot to find the last parking space.  Once inside the store, it finally dawned on me.  There was a forecast of snow the next day and everyone was in the store to buy milk, eggs and bread!  It was as if people were afraid that they may not have enough food to last 48 hours.

This has to be another lesson from the work of Edward O. Wilson, who wrote about our connection with nature.  The fear of being in our homes with nothing to eat scares people into running to the stores.  The result is that we all seem to survive.  We may even have to get creative and dig into the back of the pantry shelves for that mystery ingredient that we only seem to use in times of climatic despair.  This reinforces the belief that we are affected by nature and that we react in ways that are similar to our ancestors, storing up for winter hibernation.

And, on a related side note, be sure to check in on neighbors who may be in need of some T.L.C.  Maybe they could use their walk shoveled or someone to visit when they cannot get outside.  Maybe you can bring them some of the bread or eggs you purchased at the store.  A home baked cake or cookies would gos  long way, too! This is especially important for older adults.  As the winter months tends to keep us indoors more and not out working in our garden, we lose contact with people.  The snow should be a reminder to check on those neighbors who are in need.  So, if you are out buying things before the next storm, remember to pick up a little extra for those who may be house bound.

Time to make snow angels!

Holiday post lights in a December snow storm