Several of you wrote to me and tell me
"I am LONGING for snow".
Now, while I understand your longing
for the ROMANCE of a snowy day,
the REALITY is sometimes
pretty scary.
I picked my granddaughters up from
school 2 hours early.
There is a lull in the storm.
The first wave of snow has passed
and the snow plows have made
a pass through the roads.
My daughter meets me and the girls
at STARBUCKS
and we decide
to go take a peek at the work being done
on their new home about 15 miles out.
We visit the house and head back to
her car-which she has left
at Starbucks.
I know- surprise, surprise!
I know- surprise, surprise!
I am driving when the storm hits
hard and fast.
I pull into the grocers
so my daughter can get a few things.
She races through the store
and then comes rushing out.
I pull into the grocers
so my daughter can get a few things.
She races through the store
and then comes rushing out.
She cannot keep her eyes open
against the snow and wind.
We continue our journey home.
I drop her off at her car and keep the kids
in my car so that they don't have to get out
and transfer cars in the storm.
I drop them off at their house and head home.
It is usually a 5 minute drive.
This day it takes almost an hour
and I can't see where I am going.
I don't dare stop because
there might be someone behind me.
This is what a white out looks like.
See the top picture on the right?
Squint and you can see a STREET LIGHT.
Do you see it?
Sometimes you get a pocket of calm
where you can see a bit. (lower left)
where you can see a bit. (lower left)
However, mostly you are driving on roads
like the one on the bottom right.
Twelve hours later I look out the window and
see that my deck table now resembles a
SNO CONE!
look that it has, don't you?
AND-
I see that my feathered friends
have made it through the storm
and are back at the feeders
in the morning light.
This was taken through the window
so give me a break on the
photography lessons today.
So-all you Southern gals that want some snow....
Come visit me and I'll take you for a drive....
It will be scarier, and more fun,
than any amusement park ride....
than any amusement park ride....
Pinky Promise!
ps. We'll go to Starbucks!;>)
ps. We'll go to Starbucks!;>)
66 comments:
It would be terrifying to drive in such conditions. Your patio is certainly beautiful and I'm happy the birds are safe. I'm satisfied with an inch or two of snow every couple of years here in the south!
The winds and snow have started back up this morning. Further north, they are under a winter advisory. I'm hoping my commute home from work doesn't take an hour. I can totally sympathize. I love snow. Absolutely love it. But, I hate driving in it.
Oh...I love your description of the storm for those who have never had to drive in one. This is exactly how bad and how quickly a snow storm can get. ♥ Have a wonderful day!
LOVE that picture of your table :) I agree, snow is lovely...but best if you can cozy up at home on the really bad days...
Been there done that, can't wait till Spring. Glad you and the girls made it home without incident.
I can't imagine anyone that has ever had to clean off a car and drive in snow could be longing for it. LOL I would be perfectly happy not to see snow ever again. I am glad you are all safe!
I hate driving in the snow, Diana! I am lucky enough not to be working now so I don't have to go out. My last few years working in NY when we had bad snow I would use my vacation and sick days if they didn't close our office. I started having panic attacks and it just wasn't worth it to me to be out driving in it. Two occasions stand out ~ one job I worked 30 minutes away and a storm took me 4 hours to get home. The second was at a job 10 minutes from my house and that one took me 2 hours to get home. Throw in fishtailing, sliding side to side across a two lane road, and totally spinning around and landing between two telephone poles and I'd say that was a message to STAY HOME WHEN IT SNOWS. : )
You are a brave lady to venture out in that!! But it is so beautiful, love the back yard snow cone!!
Oh my goodness! Wow Diana, what a drive for you! You did get some amazing and beatiful shots. what a snow storm. That photograph of the birds is just awesome. Thanks for sharing your snow with us, love it. I'm so glad you made it home okay, I think I'll pass on that ride! Nervous Nellie here!
Take care and keep warm~
Nancy
I adore the snow cone sculpture in your yard but would definitely prefer a huge potted plant on the table....that's just me. We were suppose to get the major snow but the lake kept up above freezing and most of our day was 'dry' and that night we got a lot of wind and some blowing snow, but it wasn't bad. Driving in white out conditions is very scary and so are icy roads. On the bright side - you were driving so slow that it was ok to take pic....that is the bright side, eh?? Stay in when you can!
I will just let you tell all of us about it! Having skied in whiteout conditions, I remember hoping we were still on the trail. The patio pic is very cool.
My concern for all of you is that you have plenty of blankets, charged up cell phones, and clothing in your car as you travel. xoxo
I'm also happy to see that the birds are provided for at your house. :-)
Those photos bring back memories - not the good kind! We once had to drive a groom to his wedding, from KC to MN. It was a storm much like yours and all I can remember is following a snowplow going 10 mph for hours! That was 20 years ago and we STILL talk about it.
I'm glad you made it home safely.
{lived my first 25years in WI and MN and happily live in the south now:-) }
I'm ready! When can we leave? Ha Ha. Just kidding. Actually, what we southerners want is a soft pretty snow without ice and blizzard conditions. However, even with that said, our area just about completely shuts down even with just a little snow! No lie! For one reason, we aren't equipped to remove the snow here. Many of us have never driven much in the snow and are fearful of it. So we all hunker down and stay home because we KNOW it will be over in a day or so. It NEVER lasts long here. So, it's actually a welcome treat. Our snow rarely has time to collect on the roads and get black because it just doesn't hang around too long. The fools that do get out in it are the ones that cause all the wrecks around here. I'm not calling you a fool, btw. I'm talking about people in my area that can't drive in it and have no business out on the roads. I can't believe how much snow you get! I've never lived anywhere that gets that much, ever! That's amazing. Stay inside and safe if you can. Glad you made it home in one piece!
When I was a kid we lived in South Dakota. The snows were so different than they are here. And I don't even remember the cold. Here, our snows are kind of weird. They're mixed with bits of ice and the snow doesn't stick together real well for making snow men and snowballs. And we don't get much. But, I do enjoy what we do get. If we got it often that would be another story - but it doesn't snow often. It's just a nice break on rare occasions. And everything closes so there really is no place to go.
Scary! Had to laugh at the picnic table, it looks like a giant snowcone, please pour some strawberry flavoring on it and give me a spoon! Glad everyone made it home all right. The sun is shining here, cold but the sun makes it feel warmer. Happy Thursday!
Bein' up here in the upper NE, I know. Snow can be lovely to look at. As long as you are safe and warm and comfy, inside.
We will never forget a night of coming home from dinner... Out of town... In a snow-white-out... Little red car... No knowing where the road is??? Horrible...
A horrible memory...
But it looks Narnia-like in my neck of the woods, this morning. Pretty. Since I'm warm inside.
So glad you were safe!
Tessa~
WOW .. its amazing for us to see for sure. OMGOODNESS can't believe all of that snow on your table. It is beautiful and I imagine scary for sure. I would love to see it someday LOL . HUGS and have a blessed snowy weekend
Well you know I love snow, but I definitely don't want to be out driving in it at the height of the storm! We once came out of a track meet about an hour away from home and found that it had started snowing while we were inside. After only a few minutes on the road, we were in white out conditions. It was very late at night, we couldn't see a thing and I was totally terrified. My husband was driving and he just kept going. I wanted to stop, but there really wasn't anywhere to safely pullover. I have no idea how we made it home that night. ... Sooo much better to be looking out the window from the comfort of a cozy home!
Ok, let me get this straight, Diana. You are driving in white out conditions and taking pictures at the same time?? No wonder you can't see anything:)! I know, I get a kick out of hearing people say they would "love" to have some snow! Well, they are more than welcome to spend a week (or more!) here in the midwest, and I bet they would be begging to go back home!! Glad you made it home safe and sound, I hate driving in the snow!!
Thank goodness you all arrived home safely! I have been in one of those storms a few years ago when we were traveling home thru the Albuquerque NM mountains (we live about 200 miles from Albu.) Very scary!!!! Hugs, Penny
Good Morning Diana, I can understand exactly where you are coming from with those conditions. I have been caught in a dust storm, rain storms, and whiteout condition in my life time and believe none of them are fun. I would much sooner have a nice sunny day. They are very scary and you can't stop for fear that you will maybe be in an accident Plus there are so many people who don't know how to drive in it. I am glad that everyone made it home safe. Prayers and hugs from Your Missouri Friend
You're the expert! How can I tell? You stop at Starbucks and grocery stores. Nothing worse than driving in those kinds of conditions.
Wow that's a LOT of snow Diana!! Glad everyone made it safely home! Vicki
Life in a midwest winter. Yes ma'am.
Well done, I never though of sharing the white out driving conditions. You need to share that with Blissful Whites linky party from yesterday, you still have time.
It's SCARY especially in a Mini Cooper to drive in that, I try to never do anymore now that I took early retirement.
Glad you are safe. Keep it that way, ok? Big hugs.
I'm glad you and your family are safe at home! Snow is beautiful only if you're at home and have no place to go!! Enjoy your snowy day, Gail
Hi there, I have never(even before living in Co.)liked being out when the weather is bad-be it snow or rain. There are days when I do miss a mild winter-but love being near the grands. You are a great Nana to go get the girls and then drive them around.
Hugs, Noreen
I'm packing the family up and staying with you..Just kidding..Oh I don't envy you and what scary conditions to drive in, It's like driving in fog here but the streets are at least clear. I can't imagine. I won't complain about the 80 degree weather here. Hang in there.
XO
Kristin
Well, I think I'll pass on the drive! YOu can keep all that snow. Your snowcone photo is BEAUTIFUL. I'll enjoy your snow that way. ;)
All my bird and squirrel photos are thru the window so no criticism here! Stay warm and safe, D.
Wow! I love your sno cone table! I've never even seen anything more than a couple of inches of snow. I can't imagine having that kind of white out. Scary indeed. Glad y'all are safe. :)
I'm no scarity cat-bring it on...
If this means your buying me a Starbucks Chai Tea, I'll be there in a flash.
Yep, you gotta be a little crazy to live in the North, Diana!
I'm no scarity cat-bring it on...
If this means your buying me a Starbucks Chai Tea, I'll be there in a flash.
Yep, you gotta be a little crazy to live in the North, Diana!
Oh my....that just scares me to death to even think about it! I've been in some bad storms and even some blinding snow but it's been a long time. I don't know how I would cope with it. I'm so proud of you for keeping your wits and getting everyone where they needed to be. Stay warm and safe my friend! Stay home!!! Hugs!
I would love to see you but not under the conditions you just had. I have been through some of them when we lived in Ohio when I was growing up and then when we lived in Illinois when I was married - no thank you - that was enough to last me a life time. However then, many years ago we did not have all the technology that we do now. When it snowed like that you were snowbound period. I will take sunny Ca anyday even when it's 90 in January.
I would need more than a Starbucks to get me home - more like a shot of Vodka LOL Stay warm and safe.
Mary
Try this again. I got an error was told to start over! :(
Yes! That was a fun day! It was fun to drive to work in that. But at least the winds had died down by the time I came hoem. Slippery, but at least I could see! The last week has made for some interesting drives. First fridged cold, ice storm and then a white out! lol. Never know what to expect at this time of year around here. :~
How is the house coming a long? I bet they are so happy to be able to get in and work on it!! I can't wait to see pictures.
I love your snow sculpture. I also have a few like that here. LOL.
Thanks Diana for the invite, but this Southern Girl will stay in Georgia and in my warm home. It is really pretty to see all the snow, that satisfies me. Stay safe driving everyone else around!
So scary! When we lived in Florida we would get torrential rain storms that were blinding. Now that I am in snow country again if it's even predicted, I'm not venturing out! Glad you got home safely!
Wow Diana, you must have gotten more snow then us and we live 30 miles south of you. Like that snow-cone table of yours. The snow is pretty, but it gets a little old after awhile doesn't it. The older I get the less I like driving in the white stuff especially when there are those bad drivers that think they can still drive fast as if there was no snow...honestly, they usually end up in a ditch!!
No, thank you on the snow, my friend. I'm perfectly content with the mild winters here but snow days make great photos, that's for sure.
That white out is plumb scary!! So glad you made it home safely.
no thanks, except for the Sbucks! That looks absolutely miserable and dangerous. Glad you got home safely. be careful, and you can send me some...just a bit on the grass.
Wow THAT'S A LOT OF SNOW.
Merle...............
You are so right! It can be so scary! I am glad you got home safely! Did you form that sculpture on your table??? That is incredible!!! You have a great weekend lady!! From one Northerner to another! Nicole
Now that's a whole lot of snow! When hubs and I visited Door County I told my hubby I would love to live here (except in the Winter). Definitely colder than here. Stay warm and safe my friend!
hugs,
Jann
I would be absolutely terrified to drive in those conditions, Diana! I have driven in some heavy fog before, but road conditions were not a consideration. Then, we have had some heavy rainfall that was dangerous for driving due to very limited visibility. Not fun at all! Take care of yourself, and stay warm and safe! xo Nellie
NO THANK YOU !!
Cannot imagine anyone longing for snow. I long for summer. All winter long. I am long over the 'romance of a snowy day'!!!
You are just plain nuts!! I guess you're used to it..There's no way I would be out in that..Glad everyone is home safe and "sound"..??
Hi Diana, Been there, Done that. This a northern girl turned southern and while I would love to visit you, go for a drive and stop at Starbucks, it won't be when it's snowing!! LOL I do not like driving in snow either. It is dangerous and a white out is awfully scary.
Love the snowcone table. I'll stay right where I am in Texas!!
Stay safe my friend.
Hugs!
Oh, Diana,I have never seen a white out! We have had 8-12 inches in my lifetime in Georgia! Wow, this is amazing! I'm so happy you are safe and know how to drive in this; I don't. We close schools when we have a flurry! I do love your snow cone! This is amazing! I think I'm happy In Georgia!
You're a very brave soul! The most snow I've been in was our first winter in Amarillo...17" and drifts over the 6' fence in the back. One of the neighbors had a VW Bug and the guys dug it out and that's what was used to go to the grocery store, IF they could get there.
I'll come driving with you in the spring, thank you!
xo
Pat
Ha..ha! Good way to explain the terribleness of our northern weather! You were in some very treacherous weather...I'm so glad you made it home safely. Oh, that table...my goodness, how much snow did you finally get?
Well isn't that just the truth of living in winter wonderland. I avoid going out in it as much as possible. Spring can't come soon enough for me!
Being as I was born, raised and have lived my entire life in Minne-snow-ta I totally get it! Been there and done that more times than I ever wanted to and sincerely hope to never do it again! It's all way too familiar plus I was insane enough to drive a school bus for a few winters, nothing like doing that in a blizzard with a bus load of kids. I now spend winters in Arizona...for good! Glad you all got home safe and sound and your patio is kind of pretty... :)
Holy moly, Diana! When did you get that storm? Is that what's headed my way...??!! Eeek! I'm so glad that you made it home safely, though, girl. Wow. I would have been a basket-case!
xxoo laurie
Your a brave lady to drive in that....loved the snow cone on your deck....
I was in Ithaca once visiting daughter at college and the school sits way up on a hill and the dorms are below...they had a storm come in off the lake and I walked out the door in the morning...looked up to where the school should have been and saw nothing...just white...I'll stay in the South thank you and I won't be asking anyone for snow....stay warm and dry :)
I'm glad you made it home. That's dangerous. I witnessed a white out only once in my life. I was looking out my window and suddenly I could not see anything. Not even the huge highrise across the street. I remember being very worried because my daughter-in-law was walking to work. White outs are so scary. I hope never to be caught in one.
Yikes! We drove through a horrible storm in New Mexico once that was a white out and it was very scary! The snow on your deck is beautiful though! Glad you all made it home safely!
xo Kat
No..maybe not. Out here we are having earthquakes and wildfires out of season! Is anything normal anywhere? LOL I am just delighted you made it home without running off the road! YES I AM!!
Love,
Mona
Those are some scary pictures! Glad you made it home safely. I hate driving in snow, and avoid it as much as possible. Love your snow cone table! How much snow did you get?
Now that's whiteout conditions, we have not had anything that severe yet. We normally get around 30" per winter season. You really do have a snowcone looking deck table!! Hopefully you stay safe in the winter wonderland.
Ann
Southeners don't have snows that produce white out conditions :) I would be terrified to drive in those conditions. I used to hate it when I had to go to work in the snow. I still want just one nice snow now that I don't have to go to work.
And schools close here if there is just talk of snow :)
Your deck was beautiful.
Glad you and all the family made it home safely.
Glad you got home, you are cra cra! Love it, heading your way now. Be there in 6 days!
I've driven in those conditions - thankfully, not for a long while - and I know how scary that is! Glad you got home safely. We're expecting snow tomorrow. Hopefully, no white outs!
xo
Claudia
You damn Yankees are crazy! LOLOLOL
Oh my gosh, that is scary to drive in! So glad you made it home safe.
But I still think it's beautiful. Looking outside your house onto your patio would be a winter wonderland for me. :~)
Love,
~Sheri
Goodness Diana, I am so glad that you and the girls got home safely.
I will NOT be asking for that ride in the snow. I prefer the view from your window and watching the birds. It seems like it is coming thru again now. Spring can't come soon enough.
xoxo Ginger
Post a Comment