Hey ya’ll!
I’m sitting here at my kitchen table while the snow falls lightly outside my window. We actually got let out of work early today because of the weather, although it’s not supposed to pick up until tonight. According to the predictions, it’s going to be a doozy. Up to 30″ in some spots. There’s a driving ban in effect at 9 pm tonight.
I’m always excited to have a snow day. There’s something really cozy about looking out the window and seeing nothing but drifts of white snow as far as the eye can see, and knowing that you don’t have to leave the house for hours. As long as the power doesn’t go out….
Dave and I have already got the extra blankets out, buckets for toilet water, and bottles and jugs in the kitchen for drinking, hand-washing and tooth-brushing water. I don’t know if anyone is familiar with that experience, but it’s quite unpleasant to be without toilet-flushing water.
When I was growing up in Southeastern PA, I don’t remember that we ever lost power from a snow storm. I’m not saying it didn’t happen, but I’m quite certain it did not happen. Of course I can count on one hand the number of huge snow storms we had back then. I only remember losing power during summer storms, and never more than a few hours at a time.
It wasn’t until we moved to Vermont that we had the experience of lost power during a winter storm and for days afterwards. Fortunately in Vermont, most everyone has a wood stove or two in their house that is the main heat source. So losing electricity is more of an inconvenience than a health hazard. We could even bring in buckets of snow to melt and use for toilet-flushing.
Here in Connecticut, we do not have a wood stove, or even a fire place. The last time we lost power during a storm was during the “October Snowstorm” in 2011, when over a foot of heavy, wet snow fell and knocked down trees and power lines all over New England. Our power was out for an entire week. A week! During which I had to report to jury duty! Even though it was October, it was still quite chilly, and we would go to bed wearing thermal underwear under our pajamas, and sweatshirts with the hoods up. Then piled on the blankets and comforters and a cat for good measure.
Luckily, we do have a propane stove, so we can make tea and warm food, which is especially helpful when you’re freezing. We can also warm up water to bathe in, and when you boil water in a cold room, it does help to bring up the ambient temperature just a bit. A little bit.
I’m crossing my fingers that we don’t need all this water we’re stocking up, and that we won’t have to shiver under blankets any more than usual. I’m looking forward to a snug night of cuddling and catching up on reading materials, and perhaps a bit more Zentangling. If it were up to me, I’d hibernate like that for the whole winter!
Enjoy the snow, folks! Unless you’re reading this from a non-snowy place, and then enjoy your normal life! 🙂
Uncommon Heather 