I awakened this morning around 6 am eastern standard time, after the first snow storm of 2017, I got out of bed and headed straight for the nearest window. Last night we lost power due to a winter storm (is it winter yet?). This storm was unanticipated…I say that because although it was mentioned, things went on pretty routinely. No school closings, no salt trucks, no job closings, the regular routine.
I dropped my grandson, Daniel off at school at 7:30 am and received a notice at 10:00 am that school was closing early. It was already raining, then sleeting, (rain mixed with snow) but now it was a steady downfall of snow, but small flakes nothing major.
I went to Walmart after I dropped Daniel off at school but there were no crowds in Walmart to indicate a major snow storm. There wasn’t the typical shopping activity that usually happens in Atlanta at the very mention of snow when for some reason everyone buys milk and bread! I didn’t shop in anticipation of severe weather, I just picked up a few things.
But when I got the notice to come to the school for Daniel because school was closing early, I knew that this slight dusting of snow was about to become more than I and apparently anyone else expected.
I picked Daniel up and dropped Him off at the house and went to Home Depot for some salt to de-ice the walkways and driveways which I knew would get icy. I didn’t get firewood, flashlights, batteries, candles, generator or anything else that someone expecting a major snow storm would get.
I expected more ice than snow. Since I’ve been In Georgia, I’ve only experienced two real snow storms, most of the storms have been more ice than snow.
Today’s storm was definitely more snow than ice…I’d say judging from my yards and cars maybe five to six inches of snow! It is a winter wonderland. I haven’t seen this much snow here ever!
Walking the dogs last night in the snow and hanging out with Ava and Daniel (both 3 years old who didn’t understand why the lights were out) made me think of how many people (and animals) depend on me. They all piled into my office on blankets on the floor to wait for the power to be restored. The dogs ate milk bones and the kids ate cookies and watched Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig on my iPad.
Thank God for tea light candles (which I have in abundance) it was pretty cozy in my office and everyone felt safe. The light from my laptop and the candles were enough.
We all finally went to bed. This morning when I awakened, the power was restored and it was still snowing. I hope that everyone made it home safely yesterday and last night.
My thoughts this morning after looking outside at the beautiful snow fall is that none of us has the basic gear like Timberland boots, hats, gloves, coats, that we had when we lived in New York!! This is too much snow for Georgia!! I hope that the kids get a chance to build a snowman!
