Break the law … Murphey's law, that is

Spectrum, by Laurie Thomas

As soon as the sidewalks or the roadsides are clear enough of ice and snow to seem safe, I start including a daily walk in my routine. I have different routes that I enjoy, but most days I walk from my house to my husband's work, a distance of about two miles. I don't use headphones while I walk; I like to listen to the sounds around me: Birds, vehicles, airplanes and such. Besides, my mind is full enough of chatter; thoughts, ideas and imaginings that entertain me as I walk. Today I was thinking about Murphy's Law.

The dictionary says that Murphy's Law is "An observation: Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." I was surprised when I read that, since as I was walking I was formulating my own definition and it wasn't quite the same. My definition of Murphy's Law is this: An action that brings about a dreaded but not unexpected additional experience.

In other words, it didn't really ever matter how often I mopped the kitchen floor when the kids were young. What I was always sure of was that as soon as I did mop it, one of the kids would surely spill their milk sometime that very day. "Murphy's Law," we moms lamented. Other examples include: Just as sure as you finally get the roof re-shingled the Matanuska wind will start blowing at 100 mph, or, as sure as shootin' if you get that credit card paid off the transmission in the vehicle will go out. That's Murphy's Law.

So, today as I was walking down the streets of Palmer, shivering as I went and wishing that the weekend sunshine would have held a few more days, I thought again of Murphy's Law. I know that the reason we had that last huge snow storm was because my friend Anne's husband took the snow plow off the front of their truck. That was the last weekend in March and he was sure that spring was here; he wouldn't need to plow the driveway of their rental units any more this season. Surprise! That's Murphy's Law. And I will have to admit that on April 15th, I was doing some cleaning. We have what we call "the boots and shoes area" and it was overrun with winter gear. There were insulated work boots, snowboard boots, snow pants, Columbia coats, hats, gloves, gators and face masks. And the lighter weight spring things were coming out of the closets and showing up there, too. It was becoming a home-hazard. So, I sorted, packed up and put away the winter things. Murphy's Law strikes again: Another snowfall on April 16th! It is a sure thing that if you pack away the winter gear it will snow again. Just as sure as giving away baby clothes brings on an unexpected pregnancy and waving good-bye to a new adult leaving home flashes a neon invitation to the older siblings to move back in.

So what can we do to counteract Murphy's Law? Never mop again? Keep every stitch of clothing the babies ever wore? Make the youngest stay at home forever? Those may be possible preventatives. I've gone into the attic and unpacked the winter things … and I am hoping you all will, too. I am past ready for the summer sun to start thawing out my winterized bones. Please, put your snow tires back on, get your snow machines out of storage, put the shrink wrap back on your boats and giant tarps back on your motor homes. Do whatever it takes to avoid the wrath of Murphy, whoever he/she is so we can have summer.

I say, Murphy's Law needs to be broken!

Laurie Thomas

lives in Palmer