Chilly Reception to Deep Freeze

As appeared in the Albuquerque Journal Rio Rancho section February 05, 2011

Casa Vieja, Corrales

The frigid weather we have had this past week has been rather enjoyable. Why, you ask? Because one, we don't get subzero temperatures very often in Rio Rancho, and isn't variety the spice of life? And two, unlike the marathon winters in the gray Northern states, we know it is not going to last.

I found it rather curious that we would have a natural gas shortage this week, a rather substantial one, bad enough for Gov. Susana Martinez to declare a state of emergency the other day. Gas and electricity shortage? I think too many people are cooped up in their homes running their heaters and doing too many loads of laundry at the same time.

It doesn't take long for cabin fever to set in, especially with three consecutive days of no school, and I am not talking just the students. Let's face it, we are running short on more than just natural gas and electricity.

I would venture to guess the grocery stores are running short of El Paso refried beans, El Pinto salsa and Albuquerque Tortilla Co. tortillas. The cold weather and slick streets have kept us confined to our homes and forced us to cook for ourselves rather than enjoying a meal out. There's nothing like roasted mushroom soup and fish tostadas from Casa Vieja in Corrales. When will life get back to normal?

I can vouch for this one, since I have been there three times this past week, but Hastings has been short on its new releases. Seems everyone had the same idea for passing the time at home by watching movies. Having been stuck inside, what better than to snuggle up and watch some good movies with your main squeeze? Come to think of it, if there is a shortage of movie rentals, there must be a shortage of popcorn and good red wine, as well.

And not that I am making any connections here, but when school is closed for three days, the extended togetherness of personalities can sometimes lead to a shortness of senses of humor. For some reason a simple request like, "Will you feed the dog," all of a sudden gets you scathing glares as if you had said, "Will you wash the car, shampoo the carpet and weed the backyard before you make me lunch?"

In the Southwest, the freezing temperatures and snow-covered streets are few and far between compared with our neighbors to the north. I can remember my school days in Michigan when I had to walk a mile to school, in 3 feet of snow, uphill, both ways.

What there isn't a shortage of is bored kids, and parents worrying if they will come home from sledding with a broken arm and a chipped front tooth. Let's get them back in school where the only shortage is in free time.

Quote of the Week: "Getting an inch of snow is like winning 10 cents in the lottery." — Bill Watterson, American author of the comic strip "Calvin & Hobbes."