Here I am, sitting in the living room, staring at a blank piece of paper. I have a Word document open, the screen is screaming at me to write. I am grasping to find an idea, for my Coffee House Writer’s article. Windows surround me, and all I see are mounds of snow that have covered the landscape. As a child, I longed for snow days from school. Well, today I have a snow day from work. My office is closed as are many other businesses and activities. Why, you say? Well, the polar vortex has jinxed life as I knew it for the past couple days. The worst is today, nowhere for me to go. My regular routine has been upset by arctic temperatures.

The wind chill temperature outside is -52 F while I am sitting inside, cozy as can be, watching the turmoil take place on the outside. This snow day has created turmoil for me, my routine, my schedule, and my outlook for the day.  How do children handle this sudden freeing up of a perfectly scheduled day? As an adult, you would think I could jump for joy that I do not need to go to work. My life is my own to do whatever I want today. It is intriguing to me how a simple snow day could upend a routine, one that when I am in it full-speed. 

As I sit and ponder, grasping for a topic and musing over my inner anguish of a routine exempt day, I find that writing about it has essentially turned into my article. Now my world has gone from despair and stress to possibilities. My mind is spinning with thoughts of things to do today, to take up all this free time that I have been afforded. What does one do to enjoy this surprise free time?  The list is endless. 

Now the panic hits me, responsibility or frivolous? Do I tackle the many to-do lists that have piled up on the refrigerator? Or, do I opt for frivolity and spend the time in a low-level accomplishment phase? Dare I break out of my structured self and actually enjoy this snow day? An inner struggle ensues, time passes as I weigh the adult that I am with the whimsical child that shouts inside. How to live the day without guilt or regret for my decisions?  You see where I am going here?  Adult? Child? Adult? Child? 

Why are snow days so complicated?  For the children, they make it seem so simple. They choose play over chores.  Why can’t I do the same? Who would stop me?  Yeah, yeah, I know…I would stop me. 

Well, I am not sure whether you play these mind games with yourself like me, but I do know that responsibility weighs heavy when you are the adult and have always been responsible to everyone in all actions and decisions. 

After agonizing thought and banter back and forth with myself, I have decided to give in to my inner child. I have rationalized that a snow day is that for a reason. It isn’t for work or other responsible actions. It is a day to relax, enjoy, and give thanks for the unexpected time to fritter away the day. I kind of like that word “fritter.” It evokes a passion for fun. It doesn’t sound as if I am wasting the time. 

Perhaps, as adults, we need to learn how to “fritter” more and take advantage of those very few snow days that happen magically to appear in our lives. So, from this very responsible adult, I am letting you know that this snow day is my fritter day. Keep warm and safe if you are experiencing this same Polar Vortex in your geographical area.