What does the snow bring us?

The cold has come to visit us for a few days, leaving shortly to give our animals a break so they can prepare for the season to come. It doesn't leave without reminding us of what the cold will bring, a clean slate of snow. My horses have fuzzed up, as have many of the cattle, and even the coyotes I've seen running across the moonlit land. The energy is different on snowy days, it's calm. The crunching of snow under feet is the loudest sound it seems. The calm quickly dissipates for those working with horses. It's almost as if they absorb all of that energy that seems to have left the land and harbor it, until it's time to work. . . showing us why the term "cold backed" came to stay.

I can feel the holiday spirit growing in McCook. The energy is up in town, the trees have changed, and Thanksgiving is already around the corner. Family will be in town soon, shopping for gifts and getting ready for the Black Friday deals. Preparing the night before to hunt them down with the family members not bogged down by dinner.

The snow brings a great reminder of the holidays to come. A reminder of Thanksgiving and family, and a reminder of Christmas when we give gifts to our loved ones. Now is a great time to visit the local stores before the hustle and bustle settles upon us with the last-minute shoppers. McCook is special in that it provides us the luxury of shopping for the holidays without having to wrestle our way through the aisles, looking for that perfect gift, or perfect turkey. It provides those of us who aren't fond of the hustle in huge cities, a way to shop with our families that isn't stressful. A small-town feel where you see those you know in the stores you go to, maybe even bump into the local Mayor, and you still have access to everything you need for the perfect gifts.

As you're out doing your shopping. . . Don't forget on those days where it's freezing, those days the snow is blowing so hard you can hardly open your mouth to speak, the days the snow has fallen and the roads are better left untraveled. . . a rancher, a farmer, a ranch hand, and a cowboy/cowgirl all had to go to work outside to provide for us. To tend to the livestock and make sure they are taken care of when the elements are harsh. The first responders all have to be on ready to save a life. To protect their community. Business owners come in to provide goods for those who need them when they can stay home out of the weather and close their doors for the day.

Thank you, first responders, thank you ranchers and farmers, and thank you, business owners, for keeping McCook going on the hard days. Don't forget to support McCook during the holidays by shopping locally and sharing a thank you as you're out and about!