SNOW DAYS: A question that turns out to be relevant:

Pat Hansen writes, “Just wondering how much snow you have gotten
so far this winter.”

“We hear about upstate and western New York receiving 100+
inches. Nothing about northwestern Pennsylvania. I was born and
raised in Bradford. I left in ’66 for the Navy and only came back
to visit. I still love it there, but no work to get me there.”

We’ll have to take a raincheck – er, “snowcheck” – on Pat’s
question until our current onslaught is over. It’s been nothing
like the towns in upstate New York to the east of Lake Ontario so
far but we’re still counting.

THIS, TOO: And this from Kristie Bentley: “I trust everyone is
keeping warm. It is chilly down here in Virginia, and I really feel
like winter has arrived. A little late, perhaps, but still better
late than never. In the spirit of the season, I wanted to share the
following story with other Northerners.”

“When I first moved to Virginia three years ago, I experienced
the following conversation over and over:

“‘Miss, Miss! You have something hanging loose under your
car!’

“‘Yes, Ma’am, I know. It’s a plug-in.’

“‘But Miss, there is an electrical cord hanging down. It might
be important!’

“‘Yes, Ma’am, it is. It’s a plug-in for a block heater.’

“‘A block heater?’

“‘Yes, Ma’am. An electric coil that wraps around the engine or
the oil pan, depending on what kind. You plug it in at night to
keep your engine warm, so the car will start in the morning.’

“‘Oh!?’

“This last statement was usually uttered in a tone of complete
awe and confusion. I could read the look on the person’s face,
which said loudly and clearly: ‘Why would anyone ever live where it
is so cold and you have to plug your car in so it would start?’

“Of course, Virginians drag out their heavy wool coats, scarves,
hats and face masks when it is 50 degrees.

“Spring is just around the corner. Maybe not for y’all, but I
saw my first daffodil yesterday on my way in to work. That means
spring for me!”

OUR TASK: As long as we’re on the subject, a reader has asked
about our “good things about winter” column. We’ll be writing it as
soon as we can think of any!