Wisdom is “just [keeping] a waffle constantly within arm’s reach.” The Charlie Brown reference had me laughing like Elijah Wood laughs when asked about wigs.
Caradharas and the waffle gun were my exact two favorite things about this piece, too. It is so very interesting to read about other people encountering my own normal everyday weather as a Minnesotan.
I was incredulous about ice storms in the South, but after going through a few I understand why they are a big deal. We had to evacuate once because the condo we were staying in lost power, as did much of the city, and we had no way to heat it. In Colorado we have gas fireplaces that are independent of the power, the condo had nothing.
The other thing is that no one seems to have any idea what to do about it. We saw men shoveling dirt onto the snow and ice and that was it. They didn’t have equipment to remove it and no one seems to know how to drive in it. So while the roads are not super treacherous, the experience is… If presented with an option of driving through a snow storm in a more northern state or an ice storm in the South, I would pick the snow storm… Given the frequency of these storms it would seem like a plow with the ability to layer road salt would be a wise investment.
It's almost absurd to prepare for such a rare event in mild climates. And yes, ice is MUCH worse than snow! (We get less ice here because ice requires melting. But we do get it sometimes, and it is far more treacherous than snow.) We only maintain fleets of plows here because it makes sense economically on a large, predictable scale. We are accustomed to the phrase "hunker down." Our trees are used to constant winds.
Can you hear me laughing in Tennessee? I have lived through some southern weather, but never as eloquently. On a trip to Atlanta to meet our newborn granddaughter, we became stuck on the interstate as the highway beneath us turned to inches of pure ice. You described it perfectly!
I had to laugh about your 2021 reminiscences. We were in Memphis for that storm. We had just arrived from Colorado and thus had no groceries. My husband struggled to find anywhere that was open and still had food. All of the restaurants were closed because multiple pipes had burst around the city and water pressure was so low that there were water boiling advisories. Fortunately we kept power that time. (Less lucky in 2022). My husband was supposed to start work, but most of the hospital had closed except for emergencies. So we watched people try to drive around the round about on Mud Island from our window. Many people got stuck that day.
I’m assuming since you posted this that you survived? Did this storm live up to 2021’s epic expectations of pocket dumps and icy fountains (Anna’s photo is lovely!)? We were homebound for a number of days, mainly because people here in East Texas are as good at driving on ice as you all. I know my skills have slipped in the twelve years since I lived up north.
I was hoping to find an update at the end saying you have survived the recent storm with all your waffles intact.
I could absolutely picture your doomed walk in my mind's eye... like a scene from a Donald Duck and Goofy episode.
Wisdom is “just [keeping] a waffle constantly within arm’s reach.” The Charlie Brown reference had me laughing like Elijah Wood laughs when asked about wigs.
“Do you vear vigs.”
I knew I wouldn't have to explain. I had so much faith in you.
How I wish I could’ve witnessed your walk! Also love the LOTR reference in the title, and the soft, delicious gun in a holster.
Caradharas and the waffle gun were my exact two favorite things about this piece, too. It is so very interesting to read about other people encountering my own normal everyday weather as a Minnesotan.
I was incredulous about ice storms in the South, but after going through a few I understand why they are a big deal. We had to evacuate once because the condo we were staying in lost power, as did much of the city, and we had no way to heat it. In Colorado we have gas fireplaces that are independent of the power, the condo had nothing.
The other thing is that no one seems to have any idea what to do about it. We saw men shoveling dirt onto the snow and ice and that was it. They didn’t have equipment to remove it and no one seems to know how to drive in it. So while the roads are not super treacherous, the experience is… If presented with an option of driving through a snow storm in a more northern state or an ice storm in the South, I would pick the snow storm… Given the frequency of these storms it would seem like a plow with the ability to layer road salt would be a wise investment.
It's almost absurd to prepare for such a rare event in mild climates. And yes, ice is MUCH worse than snow! (We get less ice here because ice requires melting. But we do get it sometimes, and it is far more treacherous than snow.) We only maintain fleets of plows here because it makes sense economically on a large, predictable scale. We are accustomed to the phrase "hunker down." Our trees are used to constant winds.
Can you hear me laughing in Tennessee? I have lived through some southern weather, but never as eloquently. On a trip to Atlanta to meet our newborn granddaughter, we became stuck on the interstate as the highway beneath us turned to inches of pure ice. You described it perfectly!
Love this so much. ❤️
Now that sounds like something worth writing about!
I had to laugh about your 2021 reminiscences. We were in Memphis for that storm. We had just arrived from Colorado and thus had no groceries. My husband struggled to find anywhere that was open and still had food. All of the restaurants were closed because multiple pipes had burst around the city and water pressure was so low that there were water boiling advisories. Fortunately we kept power that time. (Less lucky in 2022). My husband was supposed to start work, but most of the hospital had closed except for emergencies. So we watched people try to drive around the round about on Mud Island from our window. Many people got stuck that day.
I’m assuming since you posted this that you survived? Did this storm live up to 2021’s epic expectations of pocket dumps and icy fountains (Anna’s photo is lovely!)? We were homebound for a number of days, mainly because people here in East Texas are as good at driving on ice as you all. I know my skills have slipped in the twelve years since I lived up north.
Loren, I made it! It wasn’t half as bad as 2021.