Isn’t snow pretty?
Generally, it’s pretty until you have to go out in it and then it turns all grey and disgusting and you don’t wear your cute shoes because they’ll get ruined so you wear your basic black shoes that look slightly orthopedic and pretty soon you lose your will to live.
Yeah, that kind of snow is pretty great.
And then there’s the kind of snow that’s wet and heavy and coats the trees. And breaks the trees. Breaks the trees allllll over your yard and neighborhood.
That’s the kind of snow we got.
Look! So pretty!
Uh, this is our backyard.
Uh, this is our patio and our house.
I didn’t get a good photo of the front yard. But it looks sort of like this:
It’s a lot of branches and tree paraphernalia.
So, that is fun enough. But right about the time trees started raining from the sky, we lost power.
The first night, it was quaint. Look! We’re camping! In our house!
The second night was not quaint. Look! We’re freezing! In our house!
By the third night, I was overcome with exhaustion and despair. We schlepped our 27 dogs to the home of some kind friends who, despite having white carpet, insisted that we all come stay.
My Guy and I collapsed immediately and slept like it was going out of style. I had no idea how draining this whole “no power” thing would be.
Yeah, we were cold. But it was the uncertainty that was stressful. Would the crews get to us today? Or in three days? Where were we going to sleep that night? Where could we go eat where they wouldn’t mind us loitering so we could warm up? Would I ever be able to wash my hair again? This may sound overly dramatic, but it gave me greater empathy for refuges and people displaced from their homes. They should all just come stay with us. Our yard looks like a stick factory exploded, but we have heat now.
I’m so thankful for the crews working overtime to get the power back on. And I’m astounded by the utility’s social media. Those poor people were doing the best they could to keep everyone updated and provide as much information as possible. And in return? The comments were TERRIBLE.
My Guy could not stop reading the comments. He’d occasionally moan or laugh, and I’d ask why he kept reading. His response? “I’m learning how to be a better person. By not being like these people.”
There were a lot of comments from people concerned about their fish tanks. Uh, if you live in the Midwest, you know severe weather is just part of the deal, so you should have a plan B for your fish, man.
But my favorite comment? “I NEED POWER RIGHT NOW. I HAVE TROPICAL BIRDS.”
I don’t even know what to do with this.
I am ruminating on it as I cook all the foods and wash all the blankets and use all the appliances. We’re expecting another storm tonight, so I’m trying to prepare.
Y’all should move to the Midwest. The cost of living is low. Dunno why.
6 Comments
Oh NO!!!! Life with no power?! I have not experienced that in ages and I would not do well. I mean, sure the snow is pretty till it makes you freeze your butt off and wrecks your stuff and interferes with your transportation and peace of mind and eventually makes you call mercy. I assume I am nearing old age because I just cannot tolerate these Chicago winters like I could when I was a youthful 45. Glad your white carpet friend took you in. And the shoe thing- I totally get that! Nothing worse than ugly shoes due to weather, not just poor fashion sense.
We just got the soul crushing snow too. Why do we still live in the Midwest?
I’m always astonished at people’s crazy high expectations in situations like this. Your Guy is handling that correctly–learn how NOT to be based on their example.
Having once survived a furnace free night with a newborn one January years ago in Wisconsin, I feel the pain of COLD. It’s just SO vital to have heat in winter. Going without sure makes one appreciate it. Hope the next storm isn’t so destructive for you.
Nothing sucks the fun out of a good snowstorm like a power outage. Or the neighbor’s dog sneaking into your house during a power outage and relieving himself on your living room rug so that you step in it, in the dark. Good times.
Oh no!!! I have not dealt with a power outage in a very long time. (knocking on wood here). What a pain. So glad for you that you have the white carpet people to welcome you and your herd in. I hear you on the ugly shoes in the snow issue. I hate compromising a cute look for sensible, winter-proof shoes. We got about 5 or 6 inches on Saturday. My biggest gripe about the snow is that it interferes with transportation and therefore makes it hard to be places on time – I have enough of a struggle with that to begin with! Guessing your rates are too high for me, because your art is top notch and clearly pricey as Hell.
So I look like a looney tune. I posted my initial comment but when I looked back, I didn’t see it and I thought ‘damn phone- shoulda just waited till I was on my desktop’ so I commented AGAIN. I sear I have not hit my head lately.