Snow Job

I live in one of the areas in the Northeast that got socked by the "Valentine's Day Storm". That's what they're calling it. How quiant. Guess it's a bit better than "The Blizzard of '07" which is what I'm sure they'd be calling it if it hadn't hit on the 14th. It's hard to tell from the photo (taken from the front porch) but there's a good 18" of snow on the ground. The Blazer (not pictured - hubby had it to go to work) got stuck the night before because the snow was deeper than the ground clearance available. He was in his (male - sorry, but it kind of is) glory that he was allowed to be out driving when the roads were closed (Cop.)

You might also be able to see in the photo that the road is only plowed to the driveway across the street. This is because they hired a private plower - or maybe their daughter is dating him - I don't know... anyway, we get included by default, but the road does continue past our house. My inlaws live up there, and they have serious health problems. If not for the 4wd, even with the plowed road, we'd be going no where. The city trucks finally showed up yesterday afternoon. Apparently, the plow got stuck and had to be dug out by a backhoe. Lovely. All these wonderful city services and a 25% tax increase this year. (and next year, and the year after that, too.)

But, at least we were home, snug in our warm house with food and milk and plenty of pet food! At least we weren't one of the MANY poor souls that got stuck on 81 or 80 or 78 for days. DAYS. The National Guard was called in to help dig out and to give out blankets and food. They didn't close the on-ramps to the highways - they let people continue to get on the highway. I'll be putting certain items back in my truck! (Taken out to take the labs up to the lake - K would eat anything left in the back with her!) Blankets, extra gloves, water, a shovel, cat litter. All the stuff that I learned should be in the car in the winter growing up in New England.

Oh well. Enough bitching. Gotta get those kids bundled up and send 'em out to finish that snowfort they were working on!