The first one is always the worst. No one is prepared.
In our area the first one happens before Christmas. That’s when you are busy with holiday distractions. You aren’t paying attention. Then one day there is white stuff all over and the trip to Starbucks is white-knuckle. Boogers!
This year is different. There was no snow until now. It’s mid-January. Rather late in the game. I’m not complaining although the skiers are.
We were alerted to this storm when it was over the Pacific Ocean. We live near the eastern coast of the US near the Atlantic Ocean. That’s at least a week in advance.
The warnings were ominous. Some forecasters were even suggesting we’d need new words to describe it. Snowmageddon was already taken (2010) as were snowpocalypse and snoverload.
There were hourly updates…while it was still brewing over the Pacific. Not a flurry in sight.
This was serious stuff. (With no holiday stories, January is a slow month for local journalism.)
They kept reminding us to prepare so the beloved husband and I journeyed to the grocery store. Our list was modest. We bought milk, juice, fruit and potatoes. Don’t read anything into that list. It’s what we needed.
When we came home we checked to see what we forgot (we always forget something, it’s tradition). We were out of catnip. I had planned to use my snowed-in status to make new catnip mousies. The cats were not happy.
I went back to the store. I stood in line with people who not only had milk, eggs and bread in their carts but also the makings of chili, soups and stews. (Perhaps I should go home with them?)
I had fresh tomatoes and catnip in my cart. We all have our priorities. I saw a few raised eyebrows. (Hey, it’s my second trip!)
A quick stop at our liquor store provided assurance that there will be margaritas. You don’t want to get cranky. (Oops! Too late for that!)
We charged our devices in case of a power outage. (The beloved husband refers to this as topping off the tanks.)
The cars are gassed and there is gas for the snow blower. We are ready.
That is except for my Starbucks run which cannot be done in advance and is cancelled.
Note to all my east coast friends: Stay safe and stay warm!
Kate what an amazing photo, I know to you snow can be a hindrance but to people like us who never experienced a snow fall like this…. its amazing. I often wonder where the birds go in heavy rain. But can’t imagine such frail creatures surviving a snow storm. One more month and you will be in spring.
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Birds are weather-smart and can survive a lot. There is usually a feeding frenzy before a storm. Perhaps they can sense the barometer falling.
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I certainly thought of you when I saw the trajectory of the storm. I watched some Sunday morning news shows that showed scenes that made me cold just watching them. And now we’re even hearing stories of those who lost their lives, and that makes the ferocity of the storm even more fierce. It’s also interesting to hear that you were being “warned” a full week before the storm. Weather radar is helpful in at least getting you out to the store to stock up in cat nip!
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This morning we are having a bout with some freezing rain. It was never predicted. It’s not bad out yet (got my SB) but if it keeps up there will be a layer of ice on top of the lumpy snow. Most of the deaths are from shoveling heart attacks. Scary.
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Kate, sounds like you’re ready to ride it out. Sorry bout the Starbucks, though. Our youngest daughter njust moved to New York. The storm was there to welcome her.
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Now that was a welcome party for sure!
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I can’t imagine being in that kind of weather. But, I bet you’ll be able to take some gorgeous pictures of the snow with your new camera. Of course, that will mean leaving your cozy house.
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Maybe tomorrow. I hope the sun comes out. My husband took some pictures today but I didn’t see them. All the ones I took were during the worst part of the storm and the visibility was bad. Trust me you don’t want to be in this kind of weather.
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Wishing you well and hope you didn’t forget anything at the store, don’t lose power, and other than the white stuff, all goes well!
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It has stopped finally. We are waiting for the official count. It’s around 2 feet. We don’t normally get that kind of snow so it will be a big nuisance for a while. Inside is quite cozy.
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We have COLD and no snow. 30 degrees is COLD for Florida! And windy. If the wind wasn’t blowing I’d be ok. Of course this is the night we have to go out in this COLDNESS to watch Andrew perform with the NWFSO. Anything for your kids you know! Stay warm Kate and have a margarita for me. ~Elle
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Maybe I’ll have a hot chocolate for you!
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We’ve been following the coverage . . . sounds like NYC is in “lock down” with closed roads and open bars!
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Hey, you have to have something to do!
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We in DC are at 22-24″ and snow still coming down hard and heavy. Unlike you I stocked up on junk food so we’re getting by on home cooked meals with a side of really bad for you tasty treats. It works for us. Stay safe and warm!
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Tasty treats! I did have some potato chips this afternoon. I needed salt! We are close to 2 feet too and we were supposed to get 6 to 10. I feel robbed. It has stopped here within the past hour.
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Oh to eat potato chips again! My two severe restrictions are fluids and salt. 1.5 liters of liquid and 1500 mgs of sodium a day. Serious bummer. I don’t like to admit it, but I have no choice… I now munch on unsalted pretzels. I’m ashamed but it’s true.
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There isn’t a lot of junk food that doesn’t have salt! I will savor my next chip in your honor!
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I always feel the person in front or behind me at the checkout buys more interesting things than me. We got up, turned on the Weather Channel, and I began texting friends in DC. Just like Autumnashbough I also began to get pictures texted back of the snow. As a courtesy, I took a picture of the bread aisle today at the grocery store all stocked up. 🙂 Stay safe and warm, Kate!
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You are such a good person. I got a picture of a beach from one of my (former) friends!
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I’m getting great pictures from my siblings on the East Coast. Lots of before and after photos with drifting snow up to 4 feet.
Their biggest worries are their pets. One dog just sits on the front porch, staring. Guess they are gonna find out how long his bladder can hold out.
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You gotta pee in the snow. That’s what makes it nice an yellow! Poor pup.
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We had the week long big bad predictions. Much hand wringing for a predicted 1-3 inches. And then… a flurry. Cincinnati – home of the overblown unstorm.
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Lucky you! Wish it would have missed us!
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I am south of you Kate – north west of Philly. We have about 20 inches right now … can barely see the neighbors. Its a great day to catch up with blogs!
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Yes it is. I don’t normally post on Saturday but what the heck. Anything to avoid shoveling. It’s 7:40 and it’s stopped here. We are close to 2 feet but haven’t heard the official count yet. We get a lot of drifting in our yard so it’s hard to tell.
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We live in the same neighborhood! I did a double take on your photo because that’s the view out our front door, almost exactly. Hoping that you’re safe and warm, despite what your photo shows. The forecast here was for 6″ of snow, but we got none… much to the chagrin of the TV weather authorities.
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You are so lucky! I’d box it and send it if I could!
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Snoverload . . . that’s one I haven’t heard before. Love it! Stay safe and warm, Kate.
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and I don’t care to hear it again! At least not in a forecast!
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About ten inches in the ground and only a dozen or so more hours to go..:)
Stay safe.
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I think I’m south of you. We have about 14 inches and it is snowing like crazy. “They” said it will stop somewhere between 4 p.m. and midnight.
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“They” don’t hold a lot of my confidence..:)
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I’m with you there.
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I thought of you when I saw The Weather Channel broadcasting from Philly this morning. It’s always beautiful the first day or two, but then you want it gone. Stay safe, Kate!
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Supposed to be above freezing starting tomorrow with Wednesday in the 40s so I’m hopeful it doesn’t hand around.
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