One of my favorite authors, John Steinbeck, wrote in his book Travels with Charley, What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.” Oh, how sweet will a warm July summer night be, the kind where sunset lingers until past 10 pm slowing fading to a twinkling bed of stars after the week we've had. It has been a week that even the locals will take note and remember into the future.
I had great intentions this week, some work, some Christmas shopping, some watching the National Finals Rodeo unfold on the late night TV screen. What started out as a normal week, ended with an extended stay in Bismarck stranded from home. It takes a lot for the state to shut down. On Tuesday, mother nature was in a foul mood. On a positive note, I had satellite TV and access to the NFR.
I have a friend from North Carolina who I sent a copy of the DOT road map and asked the question, do you guys follow weather road maps in NC? The answer was no, we don't have to worry about such things. I replied with a laugh, a red map is not good.
Of course in retrospect to any weather we have over the winter, us humans have it pretty lush. The animals out in the elements are the ones who end up suffering the greatest. If cattle and horses can seek wind protection and quality feed they generally can make it through most storms. This one caused some major issues with the amount of snow accumulating around the pens burying cows and horses in the places where they stood. Cattle also have a natural instinct to walk with the wind to seek shelter. Unfortunately this often does not end well, especially if they walk across unstable water sources.
The girls have so far missed five days of school and two basketball games with a third game last Thursday in limbo. Our basketball coach was in contact with us to see how likely it would be to get the girls out. Thanks to Troy and a pay loader, Operation Vollmer Escape was a success. Dave Barry once said, the problem with winter sports is that, follow me closely here, they generally take place in winter.
Since winter does not officially begin for another two weeks, all we can do is enjoy the brisk fall weather and count our blessing for the comforts of a working furnace, Carhart coveralls, and thermal underwear.
I had great intentions this week, some work, some Christmas shopping, some watching the National Finals Rodeo unfold on the late night TV screen. What started out as a normal week, ended with an extended stay in Bismarck stranded from home. It takes a lot for the state to shut down. On Tuesday, mother nature was in a foul mood. On a positive note, I had satellite TV and access to the NFR.
I have a friend from North Carolina who I sent a copy of the DOT road map and asked the question, do you guys follow weather road maps in NC? The answer was no, we don't have to worry about such things. I replied with a laugh, a red map is not good.
 |
| Missing Cows Found |
Since winter does not officially begin for another two weeks, all we can do is enjoy the brisk fall weather and count our blessing for the comforts of a working furnace, Carhart coveralls, and thermal underwear.
Comments
Post a Comment