Snowpocalypse Now

It snowed last weekend. It snowed last night. And today, as the boys (home because school was canceled) trashed the house, they posted a winter storm watch for this weekend. Said "watch" is likely to be upgraded to a warning soon. There is a 400% chance of snow with potential for "paralyzing" accumulations around DC, along the lines of what we had in December.

Crippling I can probably handle. But paralyzing?

Be careful what you wish for.

Is this what it's like to live in Upstate New York, where the lake-effect snows dominate the winter weather? I knew a guy who moved up there with a Pontiac (remember Pontiac?) Firebird, but promptly bought a Chevy Citation to drive in the winter.  (In addition to the Firebird, of course. Chicks don't dig Citations.)

I can see the wisdom of buying a beater car if you're gonna do a lot of snow driving. And this year, we are feeling lucky to own two 4x4s. Normally way overkill, we're certainly putting them to use this year.  But if this snow keeps up and we retain the snowpack, I might have to buy me one of these:

Among its many features, it's "designed for ease in getting in and out and has an "angled back rest for passenger comfort."  I'm sure you agree these are both things worth looking for when choosing a dogsled. I mean, doesn't it look comfy?  Of course I doubt my lard-ass dog could pull it if loaded to its full capacity of one adult and one or two children. Not to mention, that's not even my whole family. We'd have to make two trips. That would probably kill the dog. Which would certainly eliminate that pesky dog-hair tumbleweed problem in my house...

I digress.

All this snow reminds me of the winter of 1996. I was pregnant for the first time with baby Bubta and was closely following all doctor's orders, including to drink lots of milk. (Which may partially explain the 50 pounds I gained that pregnancy. That, and the Wendy's Frostees.) Well,we failed to plan and ran out of milk, and I went into freak-out mode. WHAT IF I CAN'T DRINK MILK FOR TWO DAYS? WHAT ABOUT THE BABY??!

No doubt in an effort to shut me up, Soup Husband Curt strapped on his cross-country skis and a backpack and set off across the back yard, destination the 7-Eleven around the corner, half a mile away. (This was pre-4x4. We had a wee Honda Civic hatchback then, and it was not snow-worthy.) My hero!

Well, he didn't even make it to the street before the deep, heavy snow caused his bindings to break. He left the skis in a snowdrift and continued hiking on over to 7-Eleven and scored the last half-gallon of milk in the joint. On the way back, he had to help some lady who, walking, became stuck in a snowdrift. No, I don't know how that happens, either.

Hopefully, we won't be looking at that scenario again, where the only way to get around is by sled or ski or snoeshoe or foot.  Plus, I'm pretty sure if I did send Curt out for emergency provisions, it would be for a bottle box of red wine instead of a half-gallon of milk. Unless the kids wanted milk, of course.

 

Comments

[Chesapeake Bay Woman]

Wow, that husband Curt really is amazingly wonderful. I will keep on saying it, you're so very fortunate to have each other.

The rumor flying around my office today was your area was expecting 20 inches of snow!

I think you need to buy your own cow.

If you want to get away from it before it gets bad, hop in the 4x4 and bring the family down here. All we're supposed to get is rain. Again. Plus, I've got wine. Boxes AND bottles.

[Meg]

Yeah CBW, it's like a foot minimum, could be more like two. When they start forecasting in feet instead of inches, it's time to stock the pantry. And the liquor cabinet. GAAAAH.

But get away from it? Curt would sooner DIE! He loves this stuff. Plus, his b'day is Saturday. I wish I could giftwrap this blizzard for him.!

[Soup's Mom]

The thing that always scared me about driving in that kind of weather was not that I couldn't handle it (good ol' heavy tank Buick with front wheel drive) but that some jerk macho guy going 70 mph would come at me sideways out of control, and leave you and Bets high and dry. Remember that trip home from Dickinson your first long break? Stopped along the way to fortify the pantry with necessary libations. (We all have our priorities)

[Bejewell]

I have a weiner dog. He's lucky we live in Texas.

[Chesapeake Bay Woman]

At my work today, which has a satellite office up north, they were talking about 20-25 inches where you are. CRAZY!

Happy early birthday to wonderful husband Curt.

[Meg]

Beej, I would agree that's a lucky dog!

CBW - yeah. The're saying things like "one to two FEET." WTF!

I conveyed your b'day wishes to Curt. Thank you for that.

[big hair envy]

The winter of '95-'96 was one of the worst we've had in VA. Much like this year, a snowstorm rolled into town nearly every weekend. No one was surprised when 13 babies were born in our little neighborhood the next fall...;)

We got 12" in December, 18" last week, and are on the line between 4" & 24" for this weekend. Just. Shoot. Me.

[Meg]

I know, right BHE? Our flurries just started and I'm lookin' out the window, wondering if it'll stick. But by this time tomorrow, I'll be all, MAKE IT STOP!

In '96 I was preggo with son #1 and spent a good bit of time marching through snow drifts in downtown DC, trying to get to my doctor's appointments. Good times.