There are certain verbal clues that reveal, in no uncertain terms, when we have crossed a chronological threshold in our lives. Responding, “Because I said so” to a child’s question is one. Starting any sentence with the words, “kids today” is another. But, perhaps no other statement indicates we are closer to fuddy-duddy than we’d care to admit than one that begins with “back when we were kids.” You know, as in, “Back when we were kids we had to walk 10 miles to school. Barefoot. In the snow. Uphill. Both ways.”

When we learned Monday evening that some local schools would be closed Tuesday because it was going to be cold, we thought, “Back when we were kids…”

You know the rest.