Between meetings and events, doctor’s appointments, and other activities, I’ve usually got at least five to ten items listed on my calendar each week. But whether it was divine intervention and timing or dumb luck—I’m going to assume the former—I had only three commitments last week, and all of them were via Zoom. Which means I could go all week without leaving the house.

Not that I normally would have actually stayed home all week. But last week, it was a blessing. Like much of the country, we were warned repeatedly about the dangerous storms coming our way. For many, the prediction was for snow, sleet, wind, below-freezing temperatures, or all of the above. Unfortunately, the predictions proved to be accurate.

Where I live, a weekend of icy roads and downed trees and power lines was the biggest concern. And even though we did have some of that, it wasn’t too bad and it didn’t last long. After that it was sunny and dry for a few days, although the temperature was still below freezing. I know that much of the country was in more dire straits, and still buried under more snow than they’re used to. Many places were still without power in sub-freezing weather. And then came word that another storm was on the way, even before everyone had recovered from the first one.

I think about how often we say—or hear—common courtesies like “Have a great day,” or “Enjoy the weekend,” as we’re saying goodbye to someone, whether it’s a cashier at the grocery store, a teller at the bank, the receptionist at the doctor’s office, or a friend we had met with for coffee or lunch.

Not anymore, however. “Have a great day” has morphed into “Stay warm.” “Stay dry.” And “Stay safe.” And rather than being a response that’s sincere but automatic, it’s a comment of genuine concern.

When I talk or text with my sisters in Chicago and Minnesota, as well as family and friends in other parts of the country, our first concern for each other has to do with the weather. It seems that everyone, everywhere, is dealing with weather that is more severe than usual, and in some cases unprecedented.

As I write these words, I’m looking out my window at gray skies, and flurries of snow that are just beginning to fall, and are already sticking to the ground. It’s supposed to get much worse later today, and I know from watching the news that the current storm has already brought snow and freezing temperatures to neighboring states that rarely, if ever, see such weather conditions.

So my thoughts for you this week are simple ones. No matter where you are, or what is on your calendar, please stay home if you can. Stay warm. And stay safe.

January 31, 2026
©Betty Liedtke, 2026

I welcome your comments, but please be aware that all comments will be moderated and approved before appearing on this blog. This is to protect all of us from unwanted spam.