impression

Driving home in snow yesterday. Not yet dark, but less visibility than dark in the pervasive whiteness. Full bluster, gusts of wind made snow-visible and alarming to motorists high on the Tappan Zee superstructure over the Hudson. Highway 287 through Westchester County slushy, snow cover starting to deepen. Merritt Parkway, covered with snow, no plows yet, heavy traffic. Cars all traveling in the fast lane, hood to trunk like processional caterpillars at about 20 miles per hour. Few cars in the slow lane, only the most frightened or the almost incapacitated hot rod.

I got the unverifiable impression that all the swerving, risk-taking impatience had been blown out of us. Every one on the road seemed to be settled into traveling in a way that met the common interest. At an optimum pace, the right distance apart, with only very gentle braking, for miles.