February ice storm
A winter storm only underscores my solitary existence. East Tennessee got treated to an ice storm yesterday, followed by some snow. The photos featured here were taken then. Cold temperatures continue today, along with snow flurries and winds. I’m praying that the power stays on. I have no backup heat sources (e.g., fireplace). I’ve already researched where the nearest emergency shelter is located, just in case I have to head that way. I did a web search to figure out how to manually open the garage door. I have food, water, and spare batteries for flashlights, but this girl and her pooch need heat in the house. I’m hoping that it doesn’t come to all of that.
frozen birdseed
There are no neighborly neighbors or teenagers in the vicinity who have offered to shovel the front walk. I’ve been tending to that task myself, working in shifts. Trying to tear off the ice with the shovel was very slow going. And yes, I need the walk cleared so that I can safely take the dog out. My house doesn’t have a rear exit, and I can’t fling her out into the yard while I stay inside (though I confess to being tempted).
frozen daffodil
Frigid temperatures are predicted, going down to below zero. My fingers are crossed that all of this snow and ice mess will melt off this weekend. The grief support group meeting got cancelled yesterday. I fully expect the dog obedience class to get cancelled tonight as well. If not, we’re skipping it. I was supposed to work a shift for a St. Jude telethon on Thursday, but that has been postponed until Thursday next week. I have various appointments on Friday, and I’m betting those will have to be rescheduled too.
frozen nandina
So Angel and I are hunkered down, praying that the power stays on. I hate winter weather like this. I hate widowhood. And I absolutely despise the combination. Enough said…
I'll pray with you. The only good thing about it is how beautiful it is...like jewelry adorning the branches. Beyond that, it is just plain treacherous.
ReplyDeleteI'm saying a prayer that the electricity stays on and you stay warm. Sweet hugs to you and Angel, Diane
ReplyDeletei hope your powers stays on, too! ice is tough on trees and power lines and traffic.
ReplyDeletei laughed at your 'fling her out the back door' visual. :)
My son lives south of Nashville and they have been shut down since Sunday night and so far, they have not lost power....but the bitter cold that is coming will certaily not help matters. Praying that the power will not go out. I would prefer snow any day to ice, although like Vee said, it is beautiful and adds shimmering jewels to our photos...and yours a stunning. You and that sweet Angel stay warm and cozy!!
ReplyDeletePraying all will be well for you dear Donna - looks like you received a thicker coating of ice than we did - hopefully neither of us will lose power in the coming days when the temps. will dip even lower and probably break all time record lows. I wish you had someone who would help you out regarding clearing a path for you and Angel - good neighbors are needed when emergencies arise. One of ours had our front steps shoveled and salted before we were even out of bed yesterday - bless his heart!
ReplyDeleteBe strong - and know I'm thinking of you. This isn't of much help I guess at times like this, and I wish I could do something more positive to assist - but I am praying hard for you.
Love, Mary
On Sunday morning we woke up to no power. We did not have a ice storm but the temperatures were well below zero. We went into panic mode because of our 5 cats, and also the pipes in our house. Luckily, it was only out for about 3 hours, enough to dip the temp in the house to a balmy 50 degrees! I hope your electricity stays on and you weather this storm. Thinking of you and praying for you.
ReplyDeletePrayers to you and Angel that you keep safe and warm. Hugs, Sheila
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, many prayers for you Donna! How I wish I could be there to help you out; please be careful going outside. Do you think perhaps a portable heater of some kind? I don't know what there is out there that doesn't require electricity though.
ReplyDeletexoxo
P.S.
ReplyDeleteThe photographs are amazing, Donna. Love each one!
Oh yes... that kind of ice can be very dangerous. Don't venture out if you don't have to. I hope the power stays on for you. Hugs and Prayers to you!!!
ReplyDeleteI will pray for your safety and for the power to stay on as well Donna. When my husband was away a few weeks ago we had a blizzard and I was here alone. I was a nervous wreck and thought of you and how you are alone all the time now. It's not fun, but I knew he was coming home. The beauty of the ice on the landscape is so pretty though but that poor daffodil. I wonder if it will perk up and bloom after the ice melts. And poor Angel has to trot out for her job in that ice. Hopefully this cold snap will be short lived and you will be enjoying much warmer weather soon. We had an unexpected power outage yesterday for a couple hours and there is a planned one tomorrow for 4 hours on a snowy day!! I don't know what I'll do as I may not be able to drive anywhere to pass the time. Do take care. Praying for you.
ReplyDeleteThis winter has been brutal. Ice storms are the worst. It may make for a pretty picture but that's as far as that goes.
ReplyDeleteI've had my neighbor across the street snowblowing his driveway while I was shoveling mine and do you think he would offer to help me out? Nope. Be careful with that shoveling.
As imagens são lindas.
ReplyDeleteEu não conheço neve e gelo... Estou aprendendo que eles podem ser terríveis!
Infelizmente muitas pessoas não são solidárias. Isto é o lado ruim da humanidade.
Gostaria de ajudar mas ... envio a você o calor de pensamentos de amizade e carinho.
Um abraço!
The images are beautiful.
I do not know snow and ice ... I'm learning that they can be terrible!
Unfortunately many people are not supportive. This is the dark side of humanity.
I would like to help but ... sending you the warmth of friendship and caring thoughts.
Hugs!
Donna, I too am sending prayers and positive thoughts for no loss of power. It has been an incredibly snowy and stormy winter here in eastern Canada. We have massive amounts of snow, but have kept our power, at least so far! I don't mind the snow, but like most people I don't like the ice or the cold. I hope you and Angel stay safe, cozy and warm and hopefully that nasty ice will quickly melt. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI am praying with you - that the power will stay on and you and Angel will be safely warm at home. The ice is treacherous, but beautiful, too.
ReplyDeleteHugs and if I could send some hot soup along, I would.
I, too, am praying that your power stays on and that you and Angel fare well in this storm! You are wise to have a plan, but I hope that you don't need to use it! Warm hugs...
ReplyDeleteYou need us to come get you for the winter? It's 40 degrees here this morning but no snow to shovel. It's pretty much the worse time to be dealing with what you are dealing with. It just adds one more or several more things to your already full plate and I hate that. But for now I guess all we can do is pray for continued power so you can at least stay warm.
ReplyDeleteLove you.
BIG HUGS!
Kim
Yes it sucks being alone sometimes. I panicked about the driveway being full of snow and got someone off of Craigslist to come plow it. I will keep you in my prayers that your power won't go off. I was thanking God all day yesterday that I had it and heat. We have about the same weather as you do but you got more ice :( It's going to be extremely cold here as well. I also laughed at your thought of throwing Angel out there. Your poor plants photo well :) Thank you for posting...you're in my thoughts a lot!
ReplyDeleteOh my....The photos are beautiful but I hope you are safe when heading outdoors?!!
ReplyDeleteAnd it sounds like maybe you will need to make a change to gas somewhere just for the heat when the power goes out...stovetop or a small gas stove somewhere in the house. We have both and trust me, when the power goes out, it's Nice and at least we are warm. I know it doesn't help you now though...
Sending prayer that your power stays ON!!
(((hug)))
Bless your heart. I hate snow and ice! Our home is all electric too, which is not the best thing when the electricity goes out. After being without 3 days last year, we bought a generator and an electric heater that's big enough to heat the living room. Of course, since we are prepared this time, we haven't needed it. Hoping since you are looking ahead, you won't need to leave your home and get to stay warm with Angel
ReplyDeleteDid you lose power? Are you and Angel still hanging out there at home...in the warmth?
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping the electric is staying on!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Hoping to hear from you soon, Ms Donna.
ReplyDeletexoxo
I'm catching up a bit late but I see a post with news that your power stayed on. Your photos are gorgeous but 'chilling'. We get weather like this from time-to-time and I understand the need to have a way out and another source of heat. I'm so thankful you and Angel are OK, but I wish so much that we were neighbors. My sweetheart and I would help you and share hours together waiting for the storm to pass. Praying for you, dear friend.
ReplyDelete~Adrienne~