Blizzard of 2014

Okay, my family and I are bundled down, warm and well-fed, on what is the coldest Arctic blast to hit St. Louis in two decades. We also got pummeled with around ten inches of snow. Now I can remember the blizzard of 1982 and this one, while still severe, doesn't compare to that one. Reminiscing, however, doesn't change what is today.

After watching the snow fall all day yesterday, I'm looking out my windows on a new sunny day and see what the storm left behind. The snow in all its glistening glory covering every surface possible. The high winds have blown the snow into drifts that make the landscape very deceptive. My backyard has been turned into an artist's canvas of lines and dimensions. In one part of the yard, the wind has blown the snow so that it looks like Saturn's rings extending about ten feet into the yard. Closer to the back deck looks like those rice beds in China along the side of a mountain or tiered gardens in Peru. My little tricycle planter on the deck is almost completely covered in snow; the handles peeking out on top.

I spent yesterday cooking and baking so today we can eat without a lot of preparation. Of course, this arrangement won't last long. Tomorrow I will cook some more. I find it both funny and a little comforting that sometimes, Nature (and God) force humanity to stop the hustle and bustle and rest for awhile. This blizzard has achieved that for me. While laundry and dishes are a daily chore that will never go away, cooking on a larger scale is a challenge that can be met when all other obligations are removed. Since I can't get out of my driveway, I make do with what I have in my refrigerator and pantry. I am, by no means, a creative cook, but I am a pretty good cook and with the help of the Internet, I can put together a tasty meal.

Our two cats have expressed their opinions of the snow - they are not amused. Sami took each one out and they wanted back in immediately. Rosie, the stray we adopted, is a small cat and when Sami put her in the snow, all you could see were her ears. Rocky, our older cat, hissed at the snow and wanted no part of it.

Today is going to be spent huddled under blankets, reading, watching movies or surfing the 'Net. Kind of a nice change, really. Maybe we'll face snow shoveling tomorrow. Today, we rest. And stay warm.