We are now getting a big, nasty snowstorm here in northern NJ. On the eve of the storm, some of my neighbors lifted up there windshield wipers in preparation. I never could figure out why people do this. Up or down, you’re still going to get a lot of snow on your car and will need to clear it off and clean the ice from your windshield. Today I noticed that these wipers look something like arms lifted up to the heavens, petitioning for mercy. Perhaps this is something of a modern talisman, pleading with the snow gods for clemency. I guess that putting your wipers up before a storm satisfies the urge to do SOMETHING, despite the fact that you can’t do a darn thing to stop or alter a snowstorm. I suppose it makes people feel better while waiting for the flakes to fall. As the Tom Petty song goes, the waiting is the hardest part . . .
(Or is it the actual shoveling and then putting up with all the ugly aftermath of a snowstorm in over-crowded suburban NJ?)
P.S. — AFTERMATH: The forecast when I took this shot was for 20 to 24 inches of snow. The final total here was about 4 to 5 inches. As said on the beer commercial: IT’S ONLY WEIRD IF IT DOESN’T WORK.
I read about this in my newsfeed and thought of you. Do take good care, Jim!
Comment by bunny — January 27, 2015 @ 12:39 am
Jim, That’s the first time I’ve ever seen anything like that–windshield wipers raised *before* the snow hits. And I’ve been out in plenty of snow and seen too much of it in my life (or so it seems).
I agree: What difference does it make? When you have to clean off the windshield you end up lifting the wipers anyway. I guess this is one instance of differences in different parts of the country?
I can see with ice or freezing rain, the wipers might get frozen fast to the windshield and having them up might help. But these days, starting the caer and putting on the heat so that it warms up the windshield should solve that problem too. But in the end, what difference does it make? I’d do what I prefer personally and let it go at that. MCS
Comment by Mary S. — January 27, 2015 @ 11:09 am
hysterical! pleading with the snow gods!
Comment by marsha — January 28, 2015 @ 6:56 pm