Stand back! I don’t know how big this gets! — Yesterday we were hit with winter storm Jonas. We were predicted to be on an outer band with less snow. Something happened and we got hit big time. It started hours earlier than predicted, snowed harder and lasted longer. It reminded me of grammar school when the snows seemed bigger and somehow better although that might have to do with sledding and no school. This one was a doozy. We broke all records at 31.9 inches. Now it’s going to hang around and be annoying. Nothing is worse than dirty snow.
Move over Superbowl – Prior to the storm we had a week’s worth of hype. Along with all the yada-yada about storms, there were recipes and food suggestions for the storm. When I was at the grocery store, folks were treating this like a Superbowl. I saw everything from chicken wings to stew, chili, seafood and all the junk food. I was good. I bought fresh fruit and veggies. What is wrong with me?
The birds know – The critters that really know what’s going on are the ones who live outside. The birds have been emptying out my feeders and water, stocking up on food. There was a large flock (maybe 24?) of robins that came around Wednesday. I have crabapple trees, juniper and holly bushes and fresh water. All the supplies they need to wait out the storm. They wanted tiny sleds and ice skates but I had to draw the line somewhere.
Withdrawal – There was no Starbucks yesterday and probably not today. (Maybe later today…..) Even if the roads are better there is a 6 foot bank at the end of my driveway compliments of the snow plow. I’m not really complaining. Our guys do a good job but it’s still hard packed snow that has to be moved before we can get out!
Did I buy that? – Every once in a while I will buy something that I already bought and didn’t like. I don’t remember I bought it until it’s too late. I was looking for something at Amazon and zeroed in on a specific item. A little box came up and told me that I bought it last January. Really cool!
So how was your week?
More than 31 inches of snow? That’s just incredible! And i’m really fascinated with your report that the birds peppered for the big freeze. That instinct is really interesting! Too bad you can’t stock up ahead of time on Starbucks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I tried stocking SB but it’s not the same. Day old coffee is not really good and the steamed milk can curdle.
LikeLike
Out here in California we’ll take all the snow we can get—dirty or otherwise. Maybe subconsciously you’re sticking to a New Years resolution to eat healthier this year. My dad used to tell us you could tell what kind of Winter you were going to have by the way nature dressed the animals. For example; if it was going to be a wet and cold season the dogs and cats would grow thicker fur. Aren’t we people animals too—so where’s my fur? I think your caffeine habit is going to result in your husband being handed a shovel and his being told to get busy—”Starbucks needs me!” Who would have ever thought that Amazon could save us money—amazing! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
California really looks good today.
LikeLike
Feels springlike. Gorgeous day.
LikeLike
So jealous! We are at 37 degrees and THAT feels warm for us.
LikeLike
I don’t blame you. Our youngest daughter just got a job back there and was there in time for the big storm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s our welcoming committee. Some communities have a Welcome Wagon. We have Storm Jonas visiting the newbies.
LikeLike
LOL. Much more exciting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the kitty in the window and your whole memory bank of images re Jonas!
LikeLike
Hope you are still enjoying your snow!
LikeLike
My week was not as cold as yours and no snow, but it was cold enough! I would probably hibernate for the winter if I had to move 6 feet of snow to get out of my driveway. You would think in this day and age they could think of another solution to dispose of all that snow while plowing the roads instead of at the end of driveways! Lol! Stay warm today Kate… ~Elle
LikeLike
Some places have a huge gizmo that melts the snow. Trucks pick it up on the streets and take it to the plant where the gizmo is. Last storm we were running out of space to put the snow. Our temperatures are predicted to moderate this week so I am hoping for a lot of melt. The main streets are good but at every intersection there are huge piles that you can’t see around. Snow is so much more fun when you’re a kid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is. I don’t believe we ever had a problem with snow while kids in Alaska. On the other hand, I’m sure my parents did not join in that mindset.
That sounds reasonable to me. Pick up the snow and take it to be melted. Great job description…snow melter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember those kinds of storms when I lived in Ohio. Every few years we have snow and ice here. We had snow last year stores were closed for days. Where I work we were closed 4 days one week then a week later closed for 3. We should be ok this year. We won’t have floods and snow the same year…I hope. Morgan is beautiful…and perhaps spoiled? Hope Starbuck’s opens before you go into withdrawal.
LikeLike
Starbucks opened this morning (Monday) thank heavens! Morgan spoiled? More than Teddy? You have to watch out for gray cats.
LikeLike
OMG, your Amazon experience used to happen to me REGULARLY back when Radio Shack was a store still worth going to. I remember being in there for like an hour looking for the exact audio cable I needed (my connections were always complicated), only to find that when I got home I later saw I had the very same thing sitting in its seal lock bag from a previous visit. At least you had a pop-up window letting you know!
LikeLike
I remember the real Radio Shack. I even bought components (do they call them that anymore?) for my stereo system there. It’s sad to see change. They have closed most of the stores in my area.
LikeLike
The Super Bowl can only be a letdown after this.
LikeLike
I don’t know. There was excitement in this house today! At least we have enough food for it.
LikeLike
I agree that the birds know when bad weather is coming. But it does sort of run counter to how we human beings use the phrase “bird brain.” 😉
LikeLike
Sometimes “bird brain” trumps “people brain!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hurricane parties have a big fan base….I guess it is only fair that blizzards have the same.
Strawberry Pop-Tarts are the biggest sellers before a hurricane, I wonder if it is any different?
LikeLike
I saw more high fat junk food than sugary stuff. Maybe they thought they’d need the fat to fuel shoveling! Pop-tarts? That’s no where on my list.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a love/hate relationship with winter. A good snowstorm can be cozy, fun or annoying, depending on my mood. Our storms tend to come in March and by that time I’m really, really tired of winter. Glad you weathered the storm unscathed.
LikeLike
I hate snow in March! I like the concept of a slowdown with outdoor work. A slight change of season would be good too. I can do without all this snow and the extended cold weather. It spring came in February, I’d be good. Sometimes it takes until May to see warm weather.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The last few years we’ve even had chilly weather in June . . . ugh!
LikeLike
Us too! I hate to write it down just in case it’s bad luck…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, they told us 4-6 inches and we ended up with 28. How does that happen? I want that job, to be so wrong and still be able to come to work the next day.
I dont know how blizzard parties started but I’m pretty sure they’re here to stay.
LikeLike
I know! We were 6 to 10 (I was hoping 1 to 3 myself). Where is that damn party anyhow?
LikeLike
Well, I guess it’s good that Amazon has a better memory than we do. So sorry about your snow. I’ll admit I was jealous when I saw the pix starting to come in. Daughter is in NYC and it looks so pretty. But you’re right, it will hang around all dirty and annoying, so that does make me feel better. Thank you!
LikeLike
I can send some out to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s so nice of you! I’m sorry but I’ll have to decline as I have nowhere to keep it and it might confuse the bunnies and birds in my yard!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok, stupid warm-weather person question: where do the poor little birds go when it is storming? So sweet that you kept Morgan’s view clear. I sure wish Costco had one of those pop-ups to tell me not only that I’ve purchased the item before but also that I returned it for such and such reason. It would have saved me multiple repurchases of a rice maker.
LikeLike
Ah a rice cooker. I have looked at them a bunch of times but there’s only two of us and most of the cookers say 6 cups. That’s a lot of rice! The birds retreat to safe places out of the wind — like pine, fir and spruce trees, evergreen shrubs, nooks and crannies on buildings and trees. They find places.
LikeLike
I’m with you, dirty snow…yuck! It’s beautiful the first day, but once the clean up begins, I want it gone too. Hopefully you’ll get your Starbucks later today, Kate…for your husband’s sake. 🙂
LikeLike
Made an SB run at noon and they were closed. The website lists them as open. Sigh! I hate the ruts and hard banks you have to climb over and the little bits of ice that take you down.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bummer! I’m sorry, Kate.
LikeLike
Me too. It wasn’t a great trip. I made my husband come along for support (or in case I got stuck).
LikeLiked by 1 person
My week was less snowy than yours! Wow, a 6 foot bank of snow at the end of the driveway. I can’t even imagine having that stand between me and Starbucks!
LikeLike
My husband dug us out but Starbucks was closed. Maybe they couldn’t get any workers to come out. The roads are ok but many sides roads aren’t plowed. Depends on where you live.
LikeLike
I love winter! I just don’t like the cold, ice, and snow! 😀 That’s a whole lotta snow!
LikeLike
Not a big fan. There is a lot of doing nothing punctuated with periods that require a lot of work. This was one of those. Pretty though.
LikeLike
I love how Amazon knows more than I do; great random 5 Kate, glad you’re cozy and warm looking out at all that snow! 🙂 MJ
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, all that snow…
LikeLike
I’m hoping for pictures of cardinals with the new camera! Or do they only hang out as far north as DC/ Virginia?
LikeLike
They are out there too along with Chickadees, finches, juncos and woodpeckers. Probably others too. The sun is out so maybe….
LikeLiked by 1 person
THE SNOW…had no idea he was named Jonas, and it was a whale of a storm, cleverness not intended. I gather being treated to Morgan’s striking profile is at the behest of your new camera. Love you kept clearing the snow out of her eye line.
We got hit with an avalanche, and all the Starbucks are closed here as well. But did that stop me from foraging…NO…Hot and Crusty whose coffee tastes just like their was open and prospering… I guess when you never close, being a 24 hour joint, weather doesn’t effect you.
Unlike me, who while crossing a snowbank, fell headfirst, a doorman having to come pick me up like a side of beef putting me back on my feet…sometimes I think I run on batteries because did I even stop? Nope, just kept on going.
Love the random 5
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I have this picture of you with you head in the snowband and your feet sticking up. No point in hanging around. You gave the doorman his first giggle of the day. You should get the batteries that bunny has! As for Morgan, the snow was coming down so fast I kept a very small area open next to the door so I could feed the birds. It was like turning the TV on to a marathon series. She was there all day occasionally meowing her approval or not! Our SB is open but I am snowed in. It’s too far and dangerous to walk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m looking out the kitchen window at a blanket of pure glistening snow, shadow and light. So still and beautiful. ❄️
LikeLike
It is beautiful. Still? Not so much. There are all kinds of snow clearing machines making quite a racquet in my neighborhood. The birds are out in flocks with their feathers all puffed up. That is a sight to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its still quiet with us. The road isn’t cleared yet … even the birds are low key. Take care!
LikeLike
Everything is quiet right now. It’s surprising. There are a bunch of neighbors who haven’t dug out (or been dug out) yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
God I love reading your blog
.😊
LikeLike
Thanks! I love readers! It’s the readers who inspire me.
LikeLike
Robins? In January? I thought they disappeared for the winter and reappeared once they got the all clear from Groundhog Phil.
Sounds like you made the right purchasing decisions for you ~> Margarita fixings! Others made sure they had everything they needed for a pre-SuperBowl party.
LikeLike
The last few years the robins haven’t migrated and I don’t know why. The last two winters were brutal. This one is not so bad until yesterday. They drink a lot of water. I have to fill my bird bath at least twice a day. The liquor store was crowded too. People had carts full of stuff so I’m sure everyone was in a pleasant stupor last night.
LikeLike