Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Tonight I am writing to continue the account of the Ice Storm/Snow Storm of 2011."
I wrote about our plans and preparations yesterday morning after the first of the
sleet had fallen on Monday night.

Bu Tuesday afternoon we were fully prepared for a major storm event. Candles and lighter were out, flashlights were ready. Don had the generator assembled, set up, and tested with some trial runs. We had some water in buckets and pans. We were ready! Then we had a nice quiet afternoon, truly the calm before the storm. We were almost to decide that once again we were to miss the worst of the storm.

But, about supper time, we began to hear the sleet hitting the house. Don went out and, sure enough, the driveway he had cleared was already iced over. The sleet continued most of the evening. The weather people assured us that sleet was much better than freezing rain, because it bouces off things and would not leave the lethal layer of frozen rain on wires and trees. Indeed, that proved to be true.

About bedtime the wind began to blow, and I do mean blow! Our modular home, bless it, is lovely, but not the strongest of construction. The wind gusted to 40 or 50 miles an hour all night. Our house shook and groaned. We have nothing to the west of us to break the force of the wind. The house was chilly as it always is at windy times, but it did its best and held itself together. We expected that power lines would be down at any moment and we would be without electrical power. However, that never happened. I read until 3:00 am, snuggled all warmly in my bed, listening to the house shake, rattle, and roll all around me.

So this morning the wind settled, the sun came out, and we were presented with a beautiful ice-encrusted world. Just look on Facebook and see all the photos of folks trying to clear their car windows, drives, and walkways of ice nearly 3 inches thick. I think we will still be clearing drives and walks in March!

Friend, Sarah, called this afternoon. The first words out of her mouth were, "So, do you know that song, 'Shake, Rattle, and Roll?' " I laughed because I knew exactly what she was talking about. You see, she lives by herself here in our park.
Her home is surrounded by huge trees and has a flat roof that I'm sure was covered with ice. This is her first winter in a modular home. Bless her, she said she was scared to death. I worried about her, and about Janie, too. This is the first time that Janie has lived by herself through a bad winter. I hope that I have assured them that they can come stay with us any time that they need to.

But, we were never without electrical power! We can thank God for that. A house without power is like a dead thing. I love a living, breathing house. I love all its little noises: the furnace clicking on and blowing heat, the hiss of the humidifier, the hum of the refrigerator, the ticking clocks. I love all the homey little sounds of a living house. I love the soft lights and I love the warmth.

Don and I even got brave enough to take a short trip out this afternoon to see if the casino was open. It was. We thought few people would be there. Surprise! Or maybe no surprise at all. There were quite a few other folks with cabin fever. We played awhile, bought our suppers at the deli, and enjoyed a break from the weather news.

So back home this evening, all seems back to normal. We have put away all the candles and flashlights. Don stored the generator away in the garage. We watched ball games and HGTV. We forgot about the weather. It is supposed to be very cold tomorrow, so I am sure what ice melted on the streets will be refrozen and treacherous. Mayabe by St. Patrick's Day.................