BLIZZARD, Feburary 2011

Yesterday I was in class when I got a text from the college saying that the college was closing a 5pm. There were ice warnings all over the place and in some spots K-10, the highway between Topeka and Overland Park had been closed due to accidents where people had forgotten how to drive in icy conditions.  Choir wasn't canceled, just abbreviated and folks were told to stay home if they thought they couldn't make it to rehearsal safely.

By about 6:oo this morning we had just a light dusting of snow with a thin layer of ice underneath.  My Darling Fiance (DF) had just gotten a job and is doing training all this week so he had to go in to continue training this morning.  I wasn't happy about him going in, but if he didn't he'd have lost the job.  The company isn't known for their compassion when the weather threatens people's safety.  The last time the company actually closed and told workers to go home was at least 5 years ago for an ice storm that left over 1 inch of ice on everything.  Took over an hour to chip enough ice off the cars to just get in them. Nevermind trying to see out the windshield.

So now we have a blizzard.  National Weather Service says, "Snow will remain moderate to heavy at times through this afternoon with significant accumulation expected. Winds will combine with the snow, frequently decreasing visibility to 1/2 mile or less. Periods of near zero visibility will occur at times, particularly in parts of east central Kansas. Strong north winds will also bring dangerous wind chills of -20 to -30 degrees, and cause considerable blowing and drifting of snow through the overnight hours. The combination of heavy snow, reduced visibility, and bitter cold make this a very dangerous winter storm." Yay. (insert sarcasm here) Just what I'm looking forward to, 10-13 inches of snow.  I have no winter boots.  Plus, if I should fall, especially onto my left knee... well... just call 911 cause there's no way I will be getting up.

Here's just a few images of snow at our place. The top two are out the front door and the third is out the back door.  The back door is more protected from the wind so it looks clearer than the others which I took with the wind blowing in my face.

The dog is enjoying the snow, but that's because the squirrels are running around trying to keep warm and find their nuts.

The cats, on the other had, are not very happy.  It's cold and they don't like it.

It's times like these when I wish I was back in Florida, enjoying the sunshine, being able to go swimming in a lovely pool or relax in a lovely hot tub and enjoy the lovely fragrance of Night-blooming Jasmine growing right next to it.  Ahhhh, what bliss!
 Makes me envious of my girlfriend, SEJ, who lives in the St Pete area of Florida.

Blizzards do have a purpose besides making life very inconvenient for people living in the area where it is occurring. They let you know Mother Nature is still in charge.  We may have all the technology in the world, but Nature rules.

Just discovered that our area has had snow accumulation between 8 and 10 inches.  I got a text both from my college and the bus system I take to school that they will both closed again tomorrow.  Good thing I don't have any classes, though I messes up our plans to go to the indoor community pool.  Drats!!