NOR'EASTERS

The term is now used by "hip" weathermen as a buzzword for any big rain storm that meanders up the Eastern seaboard and hits the cities where the TV men are. But a real Nor-easter has certain characteristics that separate the real ones as something apart. Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring all bring them and they can be rain or snow or a bit of both. The blizzard of '78 was a real one. So are the storms hitting us in 2010 in February and March. They have met every standard. Eye-like formations. Winds from the North-east. Hurricane strength.

When I was a kid I did a lot of sailing. Naval JROTC high school. Had my own little boat. Raced it on the weekends at the local yacht club. When I was around thirteen my Pop signed me up for a summer sailing camp that raced dinghies and sloops. I remember the day I was crewing on Tommy's M-scow and a Nor'easter kicked up. Fast. Tommy said, "Fuck, that's a Nor'easter." And came about and headed for the dock. First time I heard the term. Never forgot it. Spent the rest of the afternoon watching a geyser hit the windowed porch of the Beachwood Yacht Club.

I learned then, that when the winds blow the rain and snow from the Northeast, pay no attention to what the weatherman calls the storm, just head for cover.

L. Lawless