Astonishing images of the moment apocalyptic 'derecho' superstorm battered New York

[MadHound]

51. You and Texas,

I go down to Austin regularly to visit friends, and it is amazing how much people freak when there is just a rain storm. Even more funny is how the town shuts down. . .for an inch of snow. Schools close and everything.

Long ago I had a girlfriend from San Diego, and her first winter in Missouri sent her into a six month state of shock. A couple of inches of snow were a revelation to her, a foot was a miracle. Taught her how to sled, ice skate and other snow fun.

Funny thing is, here in Missouri the winters were always winter, with at least a couple of big snowstorms, sleet, etc. That was back in the sixties and seventies. But as time and climate change have marched on, the winters have become less severe. Sure, we got a good winter couple of years ago, but that was first "old normal" winter I'd seen in at least seven years. Last winter was more like a late fall, a couple of inches of snow all winter, not that cold at all. And this summer is just brutal. No snow, no subsurface moisture, major heat and drought.