It Snowed!!!

Last week was astounding. First they said Houston would get snow, and they only got some ice. The weather people really didn't know what was going to happen. Up here in New Braunfels, we got about a quarter of an inch of snow. This snow had an ice base, so that meant that I-10 was closed in San Antonio, and 35 was closed through New Braunfels. We have mainly overpasses here, so they just closed the whole stretch. It was a magical wonderland and a rarity in this part of the woods. Kids got out of school, parents stayed home from work, and everybody robbed the lids off their trashcans and looked for a place to sled.

 This stuff was very dry powder. I guess it's great for skiing. Son managed to pack enough of it together to make a wee little snowman on top of his truck hood.

 Dog and I took a walk with the camera. This is the view up my road from the gate. I loved how the snow crunched under my shoes.

 A view of the backyard from the upstairs bathroom window.

 An artistic shot of snow and rocks.

 This is from the front balcony down to the front yard. It makes me sigh deeply with contentment.

 Another artsy fartsy shot of yucca in the snow. I knew you wanted to see artsy fartsy. You're welcome.

 But the pipes from the well froze. Three nights of sub freezing temps did a number on exposed pvc pipes. Have no clue why they put them that way. Once I put an electric blanket on the pipes and covered that with more blankets, it thawed slowly. I ended up with some pretty foul water for a bit. It took a while, but I finally got clear water. Add that to the list of things we have to take care of on top of the addition that FIL lives in. It is not insulated. His window unit barely put out any heat, so I popped two space heaters in there and ran a fan blowing into the house to blow out the cold air. After years of living in crappy houses, I found that if you blow air out of the cold room, warm air will return. I managed to get him toasty warm.
How was your cold weather? Sister in Houston found out that heat pumps are worthless in cold weather.

Can I start singing now?

Let it snow, let it snow, let it....What?
Yep, snow, sleet...winter stuff. Right down here on the coast.
I learned a new meteorlogical tidbit yesterday. The last time we got significant snowfall down here was in the early 80s, the year this area got hit by a significant hurricane. It has something to do with the hurricane cooling the Gulf waters.
Well, guess what happened this year. See previous weather posts....
Now today..before the middle of December, they are predicting sleet and snow. The area just north of us is already seeing frozen stuff.
I just don't even want to get out and get on the road with the other commuters (not to mention the icy blast of air).
OMG....the weather map on the morning news is showing slow less than an hour west of me!
crap, I gotta go get bundled up and go play in the street.
Otter: You what???!!!! Let me get this right.....You live on the tropical side of the state, I live in a more temperate region of the same state......it snows west, north and east of me....I got maybe 2 tenths of an inch of desperately needed rain (if you discount the bee that was rehydrated in the rain gauge), and 24 degree temps......and you get snow on the tropical coast????!!! There is absolutely no justice whatsoever!

And it begins

Meet me at the seawall and lets torment some seagulls. Oh how I want to be right there today with the clouds and choppy seas, and cool winds........

We had a couple of 100 degree days last month. But it would cool back down to normal. Of course, it doesn't really matter much since it has only rain a hair over 2 inches in over 5 months.

But today they promise at least 100 degrees and are hinting it may be hotter than that through the week. I hate living in the south in summer.

On the bright side.....I am all alone out here. Hubs and his dad left this morning. Dad is going to stay with hubs this week. He has his sister and her family up there. So hubs didn't take the Harley. He just knows that since he didn't take her, work will slow down next week after his dad leaves and he will regret not having the bike to amuse himself with.

But for me....it's so wonderfully quiet out here. That is, except for the rig going up across the road. I know one is going in on my road, and it sure sounds like it is across the road south of me. I hope if it is, they make lots of noise.....that would be justice for the snippy remarks from the neighbor south of me after I asked her about the heavy construction equipment out my bedroom window.

Oh, and let's hold a minute of silence for Gretchen. She crossed the Rainbow Bridge this morning after 15 years on earth. I am sure she was gladly met by Dad and Buddy.

CubeDog: Yeah, guess what OUR heat index is forecast for today...100-106! I told BigDog to either get to the yard early or not at all. I don't want him dying at home. Can't afford it. He can just go die at work...but then, they have those lovely ocean breezes at work...

???????????

Its National Crochet Month!

You Hookin'?

Otter: Well duh! Hookin a pair of socks out of Tofutsies. I intend to have them to wear at the end of the month. Just finished two purses that I need to line.

Okay, I live on the coast. Subtropical zone...and its MARCH! This morning I watched as a humongous snow sheild slowly inched its way towards my house. I'm wearing a long-sleeved T, my Keltic sweater, wristwarmers, a trenchcoat, and my handmade socks....and I'm freezing. Thank God and Fedex that Mom got her knitted cape Wednesday, cuz I can only imagine how cold ya'll are further north. Ugh, I knew this was coming. Had a feeling that I was going to get at least one more chance to wear my new sweater before God opened the oven door on the south.

Otter: Just got the deep freeze effect this round. Last week the youngest had to rub my nose in the fact that it was snowing up in Mom's city, then called again when 20 miles from home saying it was still snowing. He was bringing it south with him, but alas, only slight flurries...when I blinked they were gone. Got a nice little bit of rain yesterday, still could use some more. I am seriously sick of covering and uncovering plants and living with a jungle in the house!

In other news, I hope they find, and bury, that piece of excrement that bombed the recruiting center in New York. Justice would be to put him in Marine Corp boot camp....and tell all the Marines just what he did. Or maybe turn the patients at Walter Reed loose on him.

Amen sister!!

Snow in North Oklahoma

At this point I was stoked. Love snow! It was later after dark that we did the do-see-do on the highway in Tulsa.
Another post will follow soon.