Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Storm of the Century...

is how the weather forecasters describe every new snowfall we get here.  As it was, my neighborhood wound up with about a foot of snow.  There was some wind along with it, but that didn't make much of a difference here in town.  Out in open country the snow drifted and the freeway was shut down further south.  Folks around here forgot how to drive on icy roads and many spent a fun filled evening trying to get their vehicles out of the ditches.  The tow truck drivers were ecstatic.  Their finances are now looking pretty good.  There were a few fender benders and a couple of jackknifed semis, all of which are par for the course when a storm rolls through here.

Oldest Son told me that the business where he works turned him loose about an hour early the night of the storm.  Said it took him nearly twice as long to get home, but the worst part of the trip was when he got into town ahead of the snow plows.  Said it took him a couple of tries to get into the parking lot here.  Yesterday morning the lot still had not been plowed, so he then couldn't get out.  Don't think he was too sad about having to take a 'snow day.'

Talked to my three youngest Grands on the phone last evening.  Got caught up on all of their activities.  My, but they are busy!!  I surely do love hearing about what they have been doing.  Afterwards I talked to their Daddy, my youngest.  He works for a landscaping company that does snow plowing in the winter.  It is his job to get the contracts and then to manage the crews who go out to remove the snow from driveways, parking lots, sidewalks, etc.  He is also the person the clients call when they think their driveway should be plowed half a minute after the snow stops.  He said that sleep would only be fond memory for the next couple of days.

Me...I watched the snow fall from the comfort of my rocking chair, which is the very best way to observe the latest Storm of the Century.

24 comments:

  1. Best place to be for the Storm of the Century. Sounds just like what happens here when there is a big snow.

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    1. Jenn...That's pretty standard for snow storms here, too. Cars in the ditch, fender benders, etc. Time was, when much younger, I loved the snow. Snowmobiling, ice skating, sledding were winter activities. But these days I would rather watch the snow from the comfort of my rocking chair. :)

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  2. You're right about people forgetting how to drive. You see the news people out by the highway doing a broadcast about how bad it is and people go whizzing by like the devil himself is after them!

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    1. Gorges...Around here folks think that if they have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, they can drive like it was summer. They may be able to get through the deep snow better, but on ice a 4-wheel drive slips and slides like anything else. Let them go. I'm staying indoors. :)

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  3. I'm right there with you. When it snows or, worse, gets icey, I want to stay home. We have snow forecast for Saturday here in the city limits. Yikes. It snows regularly in the mountains that surround Vancouver but only rarely hits within the city limits. Good thing it's coming on a weekend.
    Stay warm and cozy! I have a quick errand to run this morning and then I'll be tucked in the apartment.
    Cheers, SJ

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    1. SJ...Tucked in here as well. At least the temp didn't drop this time so those who have to be out aren't in danger of freezing to death. No more snow for us for a while so things should remain quiet. Well, except for the big front end loaders and dump trucks that were removing snow in front of my building at 2 AM!!

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  4. We only had an inch. But I was very glad to NOT be at MSP anymore. I talked with a friend at Sun Country, they had planes divert all over. He had a long day too. My mind set now is stay prepared for the worse, cause the NWS can't get it right at all during the winter.

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    1. Rob...I heard about the mess at the airport. It has to be frustrating for those who work there, as you know. I agree 100% about staying prepared for the worst. At least that way, no matter what comes at us, we don't have to panic like those who don't even have an extra can of pork and beans set aside.

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  5. amazed how surprised people are that it snows in winter.
    red laura ingalls wilder ad the earlier writers from new england. snow to the eaves was common and nobody was astounded by it. people are so well cushioned that it is no wonder they cannot recognize and deal with reality any more, on any level--political, financial, weather-wise.
    they have no racial memory whatsoever. don't the stories from great grandparents receive a hearing any more?
    the parents are glued to computers and no one talks to each other is my best guess.

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  6. You sort of forget that there is an adjustment to be made when the roads first become slippery in the winter, but many around here forget between snowfalls.

    I think reality is sort of a foreign idea to many - or it sure seems that way. Before personal computers and cell phones, we listened to the stories of our parents and grandparents. Now it seem that the personal contact has gone by the wayside. Although all of my grands love their phones, about half of them also like the stories and occasionally ask me about my life as a child or show an interest in my parents and grandparents lives. I think there may come a time when many will wish they had learned something other than how to install a new app.

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    1. When my son was three or four, he asked me a question about myself when dinosaurs were alive. Yes...I was that old at 24. Another time, he asked me about "when you were little and cowboys rode horses all over" or something like that. Thankfully, I straightened that out.

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    2. Linda...It is funny, the things kids come up with. I like the cowboy remark best. :)

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  7. snow isn't bad if you don't have to go out in it, and if the power, water, and phones stay on. As long as those are good, no problem with enjoying watching the snow and having a good cup of coffee in the comfort of your own home.

    My mom likes to call and chat with us. Helps keep her from feeling lonely.

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    1. Harry...Living in town, it is a rare thing to lose power. The last time that happened for any length of time was when a drunk drove into a power pole and knocked it down. Took some time to put up a replacement pole. The countryside around here is mostly prairie, and when the wind starts whipping the snow around, it can drift up in a hurry. I have seen snow drifts that completely covered cars and others that nearly reached the tops of telephone poles. I spent many years having to go out during snow storms. Now I am perfectly content to watch with that coffee, sitting in my rocking chair, :)

      My Dad was like your Mom. I used to call him twice a week because I knew how much he enjoyed the calls. Now I am the same about calls, especially from the grands. They make me smile.

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  8. sitting and watching the snow fall....feels so peaceful. I love the silence that snow fall brings with it.

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    1. Mary...I remember what it was like, watching the snow fall, when I lived away from town. It was like a soft, white blanket covered everything. I don't know of anything more peaceful than the silence of snowfall at night. I miss that.

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  9. So the snow never materialized. But it's been raining like crazy, even for here. I'm off to see some sun starting Friday for about a week. I doubt I'll be online at all. Just wanted to let you know while I was thinking about it. Dog goes to 'doggy camp' and should have fun as well. Cheers, SJ

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    1. SJ...Thanks for letting me know. I worry when I don't hear from those who comment on a regular basis. Me...I'm in kind of a writer's block thing. Not doing much more than napping and crocheting. And looking for something to post about with no success so far!

      Enjoy your week in the sun. As I recall, Dog has a good time at 'doggie camp.' Have fun and come back and tell me all about it. :)

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    2. hahaha..doggie camp is more then my airline ticket! It's just part of what I budget for for travel.
      It's on 10acres and I pay extra for his 1/2 hour off leash time each day with his 'play group'. Don't think he'll be swimming in the duck ponds this time of year, though. Cheers, SJ

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    3. SJ...Sounds like you found not only a place that will take good care of the dog while you are away, but will let him have some fun, too. I think I would like doggie camp, especially if I could swim in the duck pond!!!

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    4. According to the checkin lady this morning, most dogs only get their feet wet in the ponds this time of year. I gave the ok for him to go on the 'big field walks'. Will be interesting to hear what he does!
      SJ

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    5. SJ...I'll bet Dog has himself a great time at doggie camp. Have yourself a great time in the sun. You will have to let me know all about it when you get back. Dog, too!!

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  10. Just checking to see if you are ok. No posts in 6 days. I need to stay on top of my friends more often

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    1. Rob...Thanks for checking up on me, my friend. The flu really knocked the stuffing out of me, or at the very least, the recovery. I haven't been sick, but haven't been well, either. Tired and no energy. Today is the first day I am feeling somewhat normal, whatever that is!! Hope to have a post up in the next day or two.

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