Snowpocalypse 2010 - Scenes from the Frontline

This image drove it home for me--the amount of snow piling up everywhere. Of course, the railing cannot hold all of the snow that fell--but as the wind was blowing off the rail I was presented with this shot of how high the snow was piled.

And it is piled this high everywhere. Trudging through the snow is just that--trudging in every sense of the word.

I found this definition in the Merriam-Webster on line dictionary:

: to walk or march steadily and usually laboriously as trudged through deep snow

they even used what we are going to do later today to define the word.

Monday Musings - February 8, 2010

1. Heard on TV: Pigs have flown, hell has frozen, and the 'Aints have won the Super Bowl.

2. Amazingly--our street still has not been plowed.

3. Snow-mageddon is another name for the snow experience we are having.

4. I hear the airport is going to open for passenger traffic today. I wonder if anyone can get there?

5. We had a great Super Bowl party last night. Four of our neighbor families came over and we all gathered together. It was a party planned in four hours and it was great. At least we didn't have to worry about anyone having too much to drink and then driving.

6. I am amazed at how differently people deal with the reality of being trapped by snow--some chill while others rail against the elements.

7. Despite all of the angst the snow causes---it is pretty when set against a blue sky and as it paints itself onto the tree branches.

8. Hey--speaking of snow--the Winter Olympics starts this week in Vancouver. I heard they were trucking in snow to have enough. We have extra! Free for pick-up!

9. Even the dog is going crazy with the snow--she can't decide where to do her business.

10. Hey--don't tell anyone, football season is officially over! Pitchers and catchers report next week.

Looking out of the crystal window--Another view of Snowpocalypse 2010

Standing in my entry way looking out the window on the front door--I got a very different perspective on the world this morning.

It almost seemed pretty with the stunning blue sky, and the pure white snow accented by the melting driveway and the air cleared by 16 degree temperatures.

Still can't go anywhere--but the scenery gives new meaning to the phrase, "It's a marshmallow world."

Look out, I think the Sta-puff Marshmallow Man has been by!

I had to look at the house on Google Earth to remind myself of how things look when they are not covered with snow.

Snowpocalypse 2010 Update from the Front Part II

Well--the driveway is clean.

But the street is still packed with the 38.3 inches of snow that fell in Elkridge.

It is amazing. We went out last evening in the fading light of the day to capture some images of the results of the storm. As you can see--the sky had cleared and the sunset colors were casting a warm glow over the frozen wastelands that used to be our yards.

To give a perspective of how high we have piled the snow to get it out of our driveway--Chris is standing in front of the pile--and it is above her head. We are all worried about where to pile the additional six to seven inches of snow expected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Makayla is feeling the effects of the snow the most of any of us. She can't break through the deep snow on her own--so every time I take her out she makes a beeline for the end of the driveway and the paths we have all made connecting with the neighbors.

This morning though--the sun is rising--the sky is clear. It is a balmy 13 degrees. And we are ready for the day.

Snowpocalypse 2010 Update from the Front

It is still snowing.

After three hours of shoveling--we are getting more snow. And believe it or not, due to the Thunder Snow last night, Elkridge is leading the region in snow fall totals.

We are over 30 inches now--and there are six more on the way on Tuesday and Wednesday.

We have some cool pictures--that I will be sharing.

Makayla is having a blast in the snow--although she was a little freaked out by the depth of the snow. She loves to follow me in snow trails that I make.

But the driveway is shoveled--we expect the street to be plowed Monday morning. Yup--that's correct--Monday morning and today is Saturday. They are having enough of a problem keeping I-95 open they have not even begun to worry about the side and residential streets.

Note in the picture of the house a miraculous thing. My truck is covered with snow, but Chris' Lexus is not in the picture--for the first time ever--since we have lived here in Elkridge, there is a vehicle in the garage. And we've lived here over 9 years!

Yay us!!!!

Snowpocalypse 2010

We have a new word in the vocabulary! Snowpocalypse. And I heard it first from Jeremy and then saw it elsewhere on Facebook to describe this snow event. And it is.

The region is effectively closed.

Here is Elkridge they are reporting 30 inches--we can confirm about 26 outside.

Chris took these pictures of the storm.

And the snow is still falling--

We have even heard that rarest of weather events: Thunder-snow! Woke us up from a deep sleep as the whole house shook.

And the snow is still falling.

But we are in good shape--we have plenty of wine and cheese.

Oh yeah--we have some food too.


But the good news is that we don't have anywhere we need to be. This week.

The dogs, however, can't figure out where to do their business. That could be a problem.

Follow-ups as they become available.

Idling on the Parkway

Ever notice how a small roadside event results in a miles long backup?

I idled my way to work on Wednesday. Why? And I was going in late due to a snow delay in the morning.

I had no idea except that I got into a line about two miles before the exit and made steady 5 MPH progress--yes it took almost 30 minutes to go two miles.

But, I was not frustrated. I took the time to think about the plans for the day.

I need to use the time I am given to help me keep a handle on life.

But the trip was good in the sense that I was able to notice the snow clinging to the trees like a masterpiece hanging in a museum.

And the bright blue sky which, were it not for the snow, would be enticing me to go lay on a sandy beach and dream of a scuba vacation.

I also was reminded of how rude some drivers are by speeding alongside the line of traffic and then forcing their way into the line. Why can't they wait like the patient drivers? What are they thinking of? Are they working on an ulcer?

So I guess there are benefits to going slowly when we'd rather be cruising at 70mph with our hair on fire.

It is good to be reminded of them.

Cars, Accidents and Closure

An amazing thing happened the other evening. My truck was returned to the stable without warning--but clean, gassed and ready to go.

Patrick and Tina have finally overcome the loss of two vehicles by replacing them.

Thanksgiving began the vehicular crisis with an accident which ultimately destroyed Tina's beloved Scion. The saga of the Scion is still not fully over because the insurance company is being very slow and difficult over assigning a value. I am very distressed over their slowness and poor response because they are dealing with my insurance company. But she now has a great Mazda which is going to see her through many miles of driving pleasure.

The vehicular crisis continued with Patrick's Honda's engine deciding to cease functioning which resulted in him getting a newer Honda. That happened rather rapidly, but surprisingly, he only got his license plates this week.

So this chapter is almost over and my beloved truck is back.

Patrick and Tina stopped by to show us the new Mazda, return the truck, and celebrate nearing the end of this two-month chapter in their lives.

Time to move on--and learn.

Cats--Getting what they want

The cat!

Ugh!

Yesterday morning the cat, Louis, was hungry. Never mind that it was 4 AM--or Oh-Four-hundred when normal people and animals are asleep.

So what happened?

He began to meow. No problem, ignore the cat.

Then he went into the bathroom off the bedroom and began banging the door on the vanity. No problem, ignore the cat.

Then he came into the bedroom and began to meow. No problem ignore the cat.

Then he jumped up onto the nightstand and began pushing stuff onto the floor. No problem, ignore the cat.

Then he woke up the Makayla who began moving around on the bed. No problem ignore the cat AND the dog.

Back into the bathroom to crash the doors again. No problem ignore the cat.

Then the dog stuck her cold nose into my face to announce to me that she needed to got out because she is awake and needs to relieve herself. Consider for a moment the consequences of ignoring the dog and then get out of bed and put on some warm clothes since we keep the house at about 64 degrees at night.

Put Makayla out, bring Makayla in. Give dog a treat for doing her business outside.

Feed cat. Consider the consequences of throwing cat out into the snow storm and forgetting about it. Let cat eat and stay inside.

Put second dog, Zachary, out, bring second dog in.

Stumble to the computer to check for school closing. Call work to check for a snow opening delay. Determine there is a delay and go back to bed.

Go to sleep and dream about not having a cat.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Ice

Maryland is the land of the snow panic forecast.

Just the hint of that awful white stuff in the forecast sends perfectly rational (well mostly rational) people scurrying for cover and off to the grocery store for the essentials of life: milk, eggs, and toilet paper.

This winter, the weather people are playing right into that fear. I think they are trying to stimulate the economy through aggressive storm forecasting!

And it works--at least here.

I remember years where the total winter snowfall was 1 inch. Yes--1 measly inch.

I long for those winters.

If people could drive--it would be one thing, but Maryland drivers are among the worst in the world when it comes to avoiding accidents in bad weather. So even though I can drive--I prefer to stay off the roads because of the crazies out there who like to turn their vehicles into four-wheeled snow machines. Which is fine right up until the ditch ends or a tree doesn't get out of the way fast enough.

The last storm saw Nicole's new minivan stop an out-of-control car with its back end. And that was Saturday. No estimate yet on the damages.

We seem to be averaging one accident per big storm this year. Ugh!

Snow, Ice, Snow. Bring it on and I think I'm just going to stay inside right next ot the warm fire and watch the crazies try to make headway against the elements. Anyone know where the snow plow is right now?