Stormy Weather

I was born and raised in the northeastern part of our country. It wasn't until I married my Good-Man-Charlie-Brown (we'll be married 14 years on June 4th!!!!) that I became a mid-western transplant.

For the most part, I have adjusted to this area. I have gotten used to people actually being friendly to one another. I've gotten used to having doors held open for me and having people thank me for holding the door for them. I know what "the smell of corn" smells like. I've adjusted to the lack of "real" hills in our area.

I've adjusted in so many ways ...but I don't think I'll ever adjust to the storms that so commonly come with Tornado watches and warnings. I rather miss the t-storms of the northeast. Those I could sit and watch roll in on us and marvel at the clouds... sit in awe of the awesome power of the storm.

I vividly remember sitting in the dark in front of a huge picture window with my cousins and friends watching a storm move across the Adirondack mountains. It was awesome. And while the thunder was loud, it was oddly relaxing. It was like watching a fireworks show put on by nature. I miss that kind of storm watching.

Here it is different. It's hard to marvel and sit in awe. Here, we are glued to the local t.v. station and to what our local weatherman has to say about the weather headed in our direction. Our weather radio alarm begins its cacophony that keeps us on our toes. And on evenings like tonight, rather than sitting on the front porch watching the storm move in all its awesome wonder, we cower in the basement, watching and waiting for the storm to pass over... praying we escape the tendrils of violence otherwise known as tornadoes.

We're out of the basement now but my children are "camped out" in the living room because being upstairs... at the top of the house... is just too stinkin' scary. And I DON'T BLAME THEM!

Nope. I don't think I'll ever adjust to that... that and missing conjunctions! LOL



PS... I'm working on something new that I hope to share with you next week! I'd hoped for this week but... well ...life got in the way again. Here's a small peek... hehehe

Living SnowGlobe

The poor weatherman! The forces of nature are proving very difficult to forecast this season! We've had forecasts that have caused us to change plans and appointments only to have the storm peter out. Last night we were told to expect a dusting, possibly up to an inch of snow this morning. Imagine my surprise when I woke up to a solid 3 inches of snow instead.

So when the light, fluffy snow so rare for this area started falling, I grabbed my camera, stuffed my feet into my boots and ran out the door!



Brrrrrrr! Hello! Clearly my brain had not fully booted yet!

I immediately ran back inside, down the basement stairs and quickly jumped into my cover-alls. After slapping a hat on my head, I resumed my sprint out the door with my camera!

This is the kind of snow my Upstate NY memories are made of. This kind of snow was awesome to ski in! Or for that matter to just lay on my back and let fall on my face and eyelashes. It's a peaceful kind of snow.



This kind of snow is beautiful! And I love this haflinger in all his goofiness! You must click on these pictures to get the full effect! (Click a second time) I left the files fairly large so you can see the snowflakes and ice on his whiskers!



Another beautiful "window":


Now if the pony and the weather will cooperate with me in the morning, I'll be a happy camper! ;)

Wacky Weather!

Today, let's talk about the weather! Not because I have nothing better to tell you about. On the contrary, I could tell you more of the story of Feinding Wisdom, or I could share my thoughts about elephants, or deep thoughts brought on by current conversations, or life, or share fun memories (waterskiing anyone? ;) ). But today, let's just talk about the weather because, I'm telling ya, folks!- IT IS WACKY!!!

We've had snow and record cold in the same week as record highs in January. Tornadoes in January along with thunder snow (Now there's something I'd never experienced growing up in the northeast!) followed by subzero windchills. February is starting off in the same pattern.

Last week, I made an appointment to take my mare, Pholly, to the vet for her booster vaccinations. I called on Monday for an appointment on Friday. By Wednesday, the forecast was for a BIG snow storm (6-10+ inches of snow & blowing- it's BIG for this area). I debated it for about..... oh.... 60 seconds or less... and decided NO! I didn't want to haul my favorite horse in the whole world 30 miles on the heels of a snow storm. (We only got 4.5 inches of snow- oops! Even the weathermen are scratching their heads)

So I rescheduled the appointment for today (Monday) as the forecast was for temps near 50 degrees and rain. I can haul in that NO SWEAT!

HA!!! Did you hear the forces of nature laughing at me? HA!
HA! HA!
HA! HA! HA!

We woke up to THICK FOG!!! It was so thick this morning that it appeared we were in a world all by ourselves- granted our neighbors are spread apart by 20 acres or so, but we can usually see them!

Did I haul?

YES! I DID! Truly, I thought the fog would let up and likely burn off thru the day. (Did I consult my local weatherman?- no...) I was wrong.

Visibility was awful! There were times I couldn't see more than 50 feet in front of me. The really dangerous part involved intersections. You just couldn't see them until you were upon them. Stop lights! You didn't know whether they were green or red until you were practically under them. That's BAD!

It's particularly bad when you're hauling a horse trailer with your favorite horse inside. The solution was DRIVE SLOW and use flashers coming up to intersections- approaching them in preparation for a red light. Even more worrisome was the cross traffic. Thank the Lord! I waited to make a left turn onto a busy highway until everyone was stopped. A mini van never slowed down and came thru the intersection far after the light had turned red. I have no doubt the driver didn't see the light until the last second. They blared their horn as the horrific realization came to them. No one collided and I can only hope the impatient soul behind me (NO ONE wants to be behind a horse trailer) realized the value of a little patience! ("Patience on the road keeps Patients out of the hospital.")

Others weren't so lucky. Local news is reporting several fatal auto accidents.
Fog Causes Fatal Crashes

Do you know what the weather is supposed to be like in a few days?

That's right! Back to snow!

Wacky I say! Just plain WACKY!