So the much ado wasn’t about nothing.  The sustained winds are up around 40 mph.  Fortunately, the gusts really haven’t happened.  It is just a combination of strong winds and LOTS of snow.  That translates into drifts.  Zina just made an attempt to go out to the barn to check on the critters (that you cannot see from the house right now).  The pioneer woman couldn’t get there and got turned back.  Of course the dogs think its a hoot.  So far we have 4 to 6 foot drifts and can only get out of the house via the basement door.  We are told to expect another 7 inches by midnight.  Oh boy!

I can understand completely, how, in generations past,  it was possible to get lost just going out to the outhouse.  You dress like you are wearing a space suit and venture out into the unknown.  It’s a Mars white-scape.  There is about ZERO visibility.  There is nothing left to do now but wait it out.  It’s supposed to be in the 40’s on Friday.  Which, of course, will bring … floods.

My only regret is that I haven’t gotten the new water catchment system hooked up yet.  This storm would have filled the 1000 gallon tank all by itself.  We haven’t lost power; although it wasn’t for lack of trying.   The inter-webs are very slow.  I guess smoke signals don’t travel well in a blizzard.  I canned 22 quarts of roast, weaved a bit, and Zina has been working from home and sorting through boxes as a result of our house consolidations.  This isn’t the biggest I’ve been through, but the drifting and white out conditions have been impressive.