It was the end of October. Cooler temperatures had effectively rescued the country from the sweltering summer heat. The once-lush trees had shed the last remnants of their colorful leaves, letting them float easily to the ground. Winter was just around the corner. I expected heavy snowfall this year. And so it came. Snow attacked with a vengeance that November, blanketing my little town in no time.

One day, the temperatures hovered around the low 40's. I don't know what prompted me, but I thought i...