In these troubling times, a wise man can certainly develop a case of anxiety about the security of our state. Going back to her birth, Texas has had a seemingly endless number of enemies from which it had to defend itself. There were the Tonkawa, Apache, and Kiowa tribes as well as the legendary Comanche. They were the original inhabitants of the land, which would become the Lone Star State. Their threat to the safety of the earliest Anglo inhabitants of Texas was not imagined. The tribes were a formidable enemy and inflicted innumerable hardships upon the frontiersmen trying to make Texas a home.
Even before the Native American population could be controlled, the nation of Mexico had laid claim to Tejas, and its attempt to enforce its right of ownership would lead to the Alamo, San Jacinto, and the rise to fame of Texans like David Crockett, Jim Bowie, and my namesake, Sam Houston. Unfortunately, Texans fighting with Mexico did not end with the Battle for Texas’ Independence but continued with multiple conflicts throughout the balance of the 19th century.
For the past 20 years or so, we have seen a mass invasion from our neighbors to the south, as Mexicans seeking a better standard of living have crossed the Rio Grande and taken up residency in the Lone Star State. Illegal immigration continues to grow and is more and more troublesome, straining resources and increasing security concerns. As of yet, a certain resolution is not at hand.
Then there are the “immigrants” from California. Frustrated with paying exorbitant taxes, fighting wildfires, droughts, and pollution, thousands upon thousands of the residents of the “left coast” have moved to Texas, buying up what they consider to be “cheap” land and housing and wanting to bring the California philosophy to Texas.
All the above certainly present security risks to the traditional Texas we all love and enjoy. But this past week, I witnessed a security risk which far exceeds the threat of all other sources combined. I am convinced that Texas cannot survive this enemy. We cannot withstand the invasion that surely will one day arrive at our doorstep, and we are seemingly helpless to defend ourselves. The enemy I am referring to is a true “snowstorm.”
Starting Sunday night this past week, the weather forecasters began hinting that there would be a cold front sweep across Texas. Having a cold front come from the north in the middle of winter is not exactly news, but over the next few days local weather and news would break into programing and report on every detail of the perceived chance that it might snow a couple of inches. My wife became furious because the local weather kept interrupting her daily viewing of “General Hospital,” because the network wanted to make sure that everybody was aware of the huge breaking news that it might get cold in January. I could be mistaken but the weather turning colder in January is tantamount to the beach being warm at Galveston in July. It is perfectly normal.
Upon learning of the news of the oncoming weather invasion, grocery stores were assaulted with the fervor of a mound of red ants seeking food at a Baptist church Sunday picnic. Store shelves were emptied of bread and milk, and aisles were filled with shoppers hoping to stock up before the “snow-mageddon” hit. Firewood was selling like hotcakes, roads were salted, and emergency preparation began.
Businesses were asked by their employees two and three days before the “storm” if they could work from home, take the day off, or flat declared, “I won’t be in if the weather is bad.” Schools were closed, businesses sent staff home early, appointments were canceled. The world as we know it shifted to full out emergency.
I can see a bunch of folks in Ottumwa, Iowa, or Lake Point, Wisconsin, or Ludington, Michigan giggling as they witness so much concern on our part over the possibility of a few inches of snow.
The cold front did come through. Where I live the temperature hovered around 32, and we had a lot more rain than we ever had sleet or snow. Weather reports say the temperature is going to be near 40 the next couple of days, and our long Texas nightmare should be over.
I am concerned that if a foreign adversary ever wants to attack us, they need not worry if they have a bigger or better equipped army; they need only to attack during a snowstorm. There is no way we can handle two such disasters at one time.
Thought for day: The weather is like eating some bad seafood; this, too, will pass.
Until next time ... I will keep ridin’ the storm out.