The Real Blizzard of 2010

On November 23 there was a large, very cold, storm that was being forecast. Business closed, college night classes and activities were cancelled, the public were urged to stay off the roads and be prepared. It had been years since a blizzard warning had been issued.
It was a great opportunity to take look at our own preparedness and see where we were lacking. I thought to myself, there probably are not many times in our lives when we are given a warning about an impending emergency situation. But here we were and we should use it to learn and prepare for something that may happen with no warning.
The blizzard blew in and the Arctic cold came with it. We were lucky, we didn't lose power and because so many took the warning serious there were no real serious accidents and many said it was a big hype over nothing. I believe it was real and could have been a real disaster had the warning not been issued and heeded by so many.
And then the forecast for a warm storm with 4 days of  rain started. After 2 days it turned to snow on the farm. And it snowed and snowed for almost 36 hours straight. We had over 18'', schools closed and we shoveled and dug and had a snow day. At our home this will be remembered as the real Blizzard of 2010.
I am grateful for the two Blizzards of 2010 that reminded me that we may not always be warned of imminent danger, because we have already been warned to always be prepared.

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas

The weather man said it was going to rain for 4 days. I was thinking we may need an ark. Then I thought to myself, "wow if it was cold enough to turn that rain to snow all those days, we may have a real blizzard." After 2 days of rain it turned cold enough to snow.  We are going on 12 hours, it hasn't stopped, 8" and counting. It is beautiful, peaceful and is starting to feel alot like Christmas.