The Hunker-Down Dance

Some weather, huh? Most of North America is cold--or at least far less delightful than the law allows. The snows had gotten so bad in Chicago that they closed down O'Hare Airport. Then they closed Lake Shore Drive due to accidents and blinding snow. They NEVER close the lake front, but people were stuck for up to 12 hours. They had to do something. Fortunately, they are beginning to recover.

Here in Texas, we braced for ice and got it in sheets. This is one of those days when I'm glad I no longer have a commute. ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) ordered controlled blackouts to compensate for the added consumption of electricity.

Knock on wood, I kept my electricity--but I kept losing my satellite, so computer connectivity was hit or miss. I don't think I got hammered near as badly as my friends west of me. But little things have kept me busy.

I have to visit the chickens more often, break up the ice in their water bowl then add a couple of liters of hot water. The other day I went out and when I tried to open my screen door to get back in, it had frozen shut.

Short of tearing off the screen (with my teeth since my fingers were numb from being in ice water), I was determined  to force my way in. It was touch and go for a while. I was beginning to look like a giant icicle. All the while, the dogs were laughing at me from the inside. Da bums! Never lifted a paw to help me.

Today, I thought I'd share some of my cold weather survival tips. You might have more options in the city, but these are the things I do in the event an Ice Age hits the boonies.

Before the storm

• Make sure all the laundry and dishes are done before the weather changes in case I lose my septic system.

• Go grocery shopping. I stocked up on veggies and fruits, things I'd miss during cabin fever week.

• Gather all my flashlights and place them in easy to reach places.

• If Greg were here, I'd make a few pre-cooked meals. Since he's not, I stock up on ready to eat canned foods in case I lose power.

• Keep my phone charged. It's my only reliable means of communication.

• Fill the gas tank in my car in case I have to evacuate.

• Get cash. Real cash. Not plastic. When power goes out you might not be able to complete a transaction, but they'll still take your paper money.

During Hunker-Down Week

• Fill as many jugs of water as I can--in case I lose my water. Water is not just for me, but all my animals. That's a lot of water.

• Have wood for the fireplace in case I lose all heat.

• Eat off paper plates and plastic utensils when I can to avoid overburdening the septic system with water for washing dishes.

• Engage a hunk to hunker down with me, but since that's not feasible, I'm prepared to read or write--a lot.

Any kind of emergency is always more bearable when you have family or friends about. I've been getting a lot of phone calls and emails lately and it makes me feel all warm and toasty knowing people are checking up on me. Either that or Google Maps posted a picture of a woman slowly freezing to death as she tried to get back into her house. (Yup, that was me.)

Update: Last night, the weatherman said my area might get half an inch of snow. Here's a shot from the front of my house. Sure looks more than a half inch to me. Oy. 

I've got a lot of deadlines to meet, so I'm taking a short hiatus until next week. I'll still be able to visit blogs and Facebook, so look for me to pop in from time to time.

Meanwhile, chip in. What tips do you have when you have to do the cabin fever rumba? I'm laying odds we're going to see a lot of babies in nine months. :wink: