January 4, 2009
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SUNDAY GOOD NEWSThank god that’s over. For now anyway. There’s still two more months of winter to get through. They kept calling it the Arctic Blast here in Portland, Oregon and it hit my life the Sunday before Christmas. Twice a nearby friend got me to the store to get yet more supplies I didn’t predict I’d need but the rest of the time I sat in my house alone with my 4 cats crossing our fingers the power wouldn’t go out. It did early on for half an hour and I discovered the electric company has a dandy computerized system that told me right away how many homes in my area were hit and that they were working on finding the source and expected to have it back on within the hour. After that I bought little battery-operated lights you can tack to your walls and press when the lights go out so you don’t have to worry about setting your house on fire with candles. They were even cheap. Many times I crunched out to the bird and squirrel feeders in knee deep drifts during those 5-6 days. I pictured them huddling in tiny crevices somewhere when they weren’t foodseeking. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were solitary except for a neighbor who brought a plate of cookies by. Family time had to wait till Monday the 29th for my daughter whose highway was shut down in between our cities and New Year’s Eve day for my son and grandchildren. Altogether we had 18.9 inches last month, the most in 40 years. In fact, the previous record for snow on the ground on Christmas Day in Portland was only an inch. All the counties around me, including mine, declared emegencies. The airport was a zoo. By the time the snow began to melt, I had pretty much achieved meltdown too. It taught me a lot. About preparation, about patience, about fear, about my physical limits, and about love. Yes, love. Holidays are always Love Tests anyway. By the time my family finally reached me, each of them brought gifts of the spirit that were unique and irreplaceable. We held hands around the table briefly before we ate our meal, a few tears were shed, and once again a New Year beckoned.
Deep Thought: “Many people do not realize that the snowshoe can be used for a great many things besides walking on snow. For instance, it can be used to carry pancakes from the stove to the breakfast table. Also, it can be used to carry uneaten pancakes from the table to the garbage. Finally, it can be used as a kind of strainer, where you force pancakes through the strings to see if a piece of gold got in a pancake somehow.”
Today I am grateful for: The times I feel safe.
Guess the Movie: “The report read “Routine retirement of a replicant.” That didn’t make me feel any better about shooting a woman in the back. “ Winner: buddhacat. Movie: Blade Runner, 1982.
Thousands Join March to Protest Against Israeli Action
by Tracy McVeigh and Ben Quinn
Protests against the Israeli offensive in Gaza became heated last night when up to 5,000 people gathered outside the country’s London embassy. (Rest of article here.)
Comments (49)
That’s such a good idea about the electric company informing people right away about what’s going on. Sorry your Christmas was so trying but it all turned out OK.
I thought our wild birds were cold but now I see what really being cold is.
I wish you warmth and a good new year.
I wish I had taken pictures of my street during our recent “Arctic Blast”. I also wish I had purchased some of those stick-on lights. Thank goodness our power never went out. I am more than glad it is over. Glad you are fine.
Good to hear from you and that you survived the Blast. We had a version of it up here in the Seattle area as well. Also, Hubby and I got stuck in a blizzard in Eastern Washington….not a long experience, thankfully but it altered our plans and was just scary enough.
My daughter and her boyfriend in there in Portland and couldn’t even leave their parking lot to get up here for Christmas.
I couldn’t believe how much it snowed in your area. Glad you made it through okay.
2008 was a rough year all around.
Sounds like you had quite a storm. I’m glad your power didn’t go out for long.
It is so strange as I asked a friend in Langlois how much snow she had. None, just rain. Maybe she is too close to the ocean.
Wake up call to me to call my two cousins in Portland. And that reminds me I really have to call my sister and aunt and uncle in Florida. I even remember the radio saying something happened in “Lake Oswego” which I believe is where one of my cousins live.
The pictrue looks lovely, but seeing all the snow in the street makes me think that a snowplow will be here soon, which helps with traffic, but then means I have to shovel a big berm. Of course, if your city is not setup for regular snow removal, then that picture looks like a lot of trouble. Thank good ness for neighbors that help you get out, cats that keep you company and warmth from continued power.
Blade Runner. One of Ridley Scott’s (and Harrison Ford’s) finest. I love that movie. (“I only do eyes.”)
I’m glad it’s thawing out now. What a whallop you got!
Yes, Blade Runner!
I was inordinately pleased to see you had posted an entry. You post so rarely that it’s like a surprise present. I really enjoy the days I get snowed in, for about 1 day. Anything over that and I start getting a little panicky. Even though I live smack dab in the middle of a large residential area and could easily walk to anything I might ever need, it’s the thought. I’m glad you had such a lovely time with your family.
i would now call you a survivalist. so much snow. and i have not seen any. but we rarely get any. now i am glad for it.
Hello! Yes, all is well. You are on my protected list, so you should be able to see my protected posts. I was just asking for input about graduate school for my son. He is only a 1st year college student but I wanted to make sure he is doing what he needs to do so that when the time comes he can get into grad school.
I was reminded that the GRE test is important as are his grades and recommendations.
It is always nice to see a post from you.
My kids were praying for a White Xmas. Better watch what you wish for huh? I saw you stopped by and wanted to come say hello.
I am so glad you only lost power for a little while – I always feel we will somehow be all right as long as the power stays on. When we had the bad wind storm over the summer and lost power for days, (weeks for some), it was awful, but at least it wasn’t freezing outside! I bought some battery-powered lights thenm too. Candles are pretty, but they are not fun to read by.
Nice to hear from you!
I live in the suburbs of Chicago. It’s a 5 – 6 months of the year deal here.
I hear you are dealing with flooding now. I hope that doesn’t affect you. Take care!
Being a Washingtonian …the snow we had for Christmas was way too much…if we see no more snow this year oh well. The amount of rain we got last week also hope that doesn’t happen again for a very long time.
Beautiful post.
Wow, I didn’t think Oregon got that much snow. What a scary situation.Glad the electric stayed on most of the time, I always worry about folks losing power in winter. Hope the rest of the season is not as severe. Your holiday celebration sounds like it was poignant & full of Love.
hi what a sight for Virginia eyes last week i was photographing Robins & picking Forsethia ti fill vases today it is -15 with wind chill sadly we do not see much snow anymore & according to the Farmer’s Almanac none is on the horizon when not so long ago a picK such as your was the norm here in the mountains sounds as if your New Year began on a sacred note blessings beck
thanks for stopping by & commenting. i won’t complain about the snow here now — it rarely ever gets that bad. we’ve been feeding the birds & consequently the squirrels, too — they’re definitely having a tough winter. take care.
That’s quite a snow. Reminds me of many snow storms from my past. Mom has been shoveling snow all winter. Here, it’s not so bad.
Glad to hear you are safe, well and as warm as you can possibly be!
Hope 2009 is treating you well
LOVED the deep though! that was great!
Howdy! I noticed that you stopped by the Campfire earlier, and I wanted to drop in and let you know that it was great to see you there, and you’re welcome back anytime!
Cowboy
I love snow. We get a lot up here in Canada. But the power almost never goes out, and nothing really happens because of it. The streets are kept clear mostly, and everyone is happy.
It would suck if the city wasn’t prepared though.
Happy to hear from you, has the snow melted yet? We had a strange snow squall here this morning. It lasted five minutes and then the sun came out.
You’ve been in my thoughts and I’m hoping your life is giving you good health and all around love and security. Funny how some of us seem to connect in a special way across space, though we’ve never been face to face.
I send you a warm hug and wish you a blessed February–no matter what! Remember, we’ve had ground hog day, Valentine’s Day is upon us, President’s day, many, many birthdays for people we do and don’t know!
Whatever, dear heart, I hope you are comfortable and well. Peace and patient perseverance be yours!
Affectionately, Charlotte
Your turn will come ;-0
Hello! How is it going with you? Has your weather finally improved? We had some lovely warm weather. We are back to seasonal weather but that is ok better to have 30s than below zero.
Take care! Hope all is well!
Hope you’re still keeping warm.
thank you for visiting!
thanks for the advice. Let’s hope girl A doesn’t find out about girl B or vice versa. That would make me look like I’m playing the both of them when I’m really not.
ryc, yes the Summer of Love was short but the intense feelings are still with me today. I was living on Treasure Island Naval Base at the time. My father was in the Navy so that’s how I ended up there. I went to school in San Francisco and the feeling in the city at that time was pure magic.
ryc, yes, I’ve been told about the IMAX theater and I have no plans on going to one. The gang went to see the latest Batman movie at an IMAX theater but I watched it at home on DVD.
OH GADS!! I remember that week. It was SOOOO snowy and yucky. That’s why we had to haul down our 24 year old pine tree in the front yard. I wrote about it on my blog.
Enjoy the weather today. I hear it’s going to be 80. FINALLY!
Yes, in southern California (San Diego) our jacarandas are beautiful this time of year, but our skies are usually gray and the weather is often referred to as June gloom.
Hello, thanks for stopping by today. I am hoping you don’t STILL have snow there but have some pink lilies to enjoy in person! : )
looks like its been a while since you updated…. Thanks for visiting my site. Hope you enjoyed reading some of my works
The Signature Of A True Human Is The Smile He/She Brings On The Face Of Others.
LonelyPoet
Dear Lionne,
Doesn’t look like you’re updating. I’m sure the snow has gone by now. Neat hearing about light strips that tack on the wall.
Thank you so much for dropping by my blog and leaving a comment on my June 22 entry.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
What a treat to see this snowy picture after suffering through a 95 degree day! Believe it or not, I love winter.
I’m glad you had a great time with your family even if it was belated
That was startling to see–we’ve had some of the hottest days of the year–it kind of felt refreshing to see the snow!
happy birthday back atcha!
Thanks for stopping by my site today!
I hope all is well with you!