At least the sun is shining . . .

and gloriously! All that brightness reflecting off the snow is shining in our big southern windows and warming up the house. But Group Health Cooperative (our docs), UW Health Sports Medicine Fitness Center (our gym), area schools, UW-Madison, state offices, and the public library system are all closed, along with many local businesses. The three things on my calendar for today were all cancelled and now comes word there won't be any mail delivery.

All of our neighbors put their garbage out, so I guess our great public employees will be going to work as usual. And our newspaper was delivered. I find it all a bit amazing since I've gone to work during many bad snowstorms and dangerous wind chills in years past. You always go to work if your job is at the newspaper or a hospital or the cop shop and a long list of similar places. 

Back in the late 1970s we had a legendary ice storm when I was in grad school. The University did not close. In fact, I well remember driving down my street to get to the U because I had an important exam. I remember it so vividly because there were live wires down on my street that I had to drive around — which gives you a sense of the seriousness of that storm! Though the photo below looks like it's from the 19th century, it is an NOAA image from that storm which was statewide.

But this time around, we've got heat and power, books, digital devices, food, coffee, and a fire in the fireplace. I'm not sure about Mark, but I may stay indoors until Spring arrives!

Comments

[Barbara H.]

I'm glad you've got what you need to wait it out. Hope that stays true and everything moves back to "normal" soon.

[Kristin]

I remember that ice storm! We had power, but my babysitter (I guess today I should call her my daycare provider, though she was more like a second mom) did not. They had a fireplace though, and I remember her cooking over the fire. Jim's family didn't have power in the country between Madison and Verona, and he remembers their family of six living around the fireplace for a week or so. I'm glad you are safe at home, with plenty to keep you occupied. We are not nearly so cold in MO, though you wouldn't know it to listen to everyone!

[Loree / danger garden]

Isn't it a nice feeling when you don't have to go out? I was a retail store manager during a couple epic Seattle winter storms (epic by their standards) and always had to get to work, which was ridiculous because all the customers stayed home.

[Linda Brazill]

I saw a neighbor going to her retail job and I though the same thing. No one is going shopping unless it's for food or gas. I love being able to stay home in this kind of weather.

[Linda Brazill]

Heat and cold are all relative as you know. Folks always complain but not all of them have had experience with the extremes like you have.

[Kris P]

The photo of the drooping power lines is amazing! I'm glad you got to your exams and lived to tell the tale. Other than teacher strikes and massive wildfires in the immediate area, I can't honestly bring to mind any circumstances that lead to school closures, much less buisness closures here. I'd never heard of a stop on postal service until this morning's news reports concerning the polar vortex. However, when it rains heavily, newscasters here do urge people to stay off the roads - but I suspect that's a response to the increasing recklessness of drivers.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

Just hearing about your cold makes my bones hurt. Annie (our dog) was in a pout all day becasue I wouldn't take her for her daily walk this morning. I told her if it got up to 7F I would. It did this afternoon so I did. We only walked down the street, not far. Brrrrr Crazy cold, feels like below zero. Even crazier the temp is to rise 93 degrees this weekend. How can anything live through that? It just makes you realize what amazing creatures plants are. Keep warm.

[Peter/Outlaw]

It's a good thing that you get to stay home, safe and warm from the cold. Dramatic image of the 70's ice storm. Hope temperatures return to normal for you very soon!