That Wednesday

What happened on that Wednesday, "hump day," was weird. Wednesdays used to be just for getting through, to start looking forward to the weekend, but I'll never forget that one.

Started out bright and sunny, a classic Fall day in early October. Brisk early, but quickly warmed to an Indian Summer level. Stan was off to work; the older kids to school.

My youngest, 4 year old Kerry, came in from the back yard where she'd been playing.

"Mommy," she said plaintively, "it's getting cold and dark."

"Let's see what we can do about that?"

Once out the back door, I understood her concern. What had happened to the sunny day? Why were Kerry and I shivering?

Back in side, I called Stan at his office.

"The strangest thing just happened," I started.

"Looks like a December afternoon here," Stan replied. "Late December."

"Those are snowflakes," I added, starting to shout.

Stan came home, taking longer than usual due to everyone else doing the same.

The reporters, and other talking heads on TV, didn't know much, although the pictures of the accumulating snow were something.

Then the President came on. Along with leaders all over the world were.

When they were done, it basically boiled down to "sorry about that."

They'd been contacted by an extra-terrestrial race that offered to solve global warming in return for being allowed to open resorts that they would visit, adding another benefit for Earth. More tourist income.

None of our great leaders thought to ask what kind of recreation the visitors enjoyed.

It actually hasn't turned out all that bad. Spring, Summer, and Fall are still enjoyable, if a little short.

Stan and I, Kerry and the older kids, have learned to enjoy skiing from October through May.