Snowmarghedon

That's what the President is calling it.

As I look out my widows this morning, this view toward Indian River looks like a Winter Paradise, doesn't it?  

Trust me, it's not. In the above picture, you can see the railroad tie which separates our dock from the water and, just beyond it, the line in the snow where the water rose over it. Not bad, actually. Not as bad as some of us feared it might be.

We are officially in "Recovery Mode" from the worst storm to hit the Mid-Atlantic states - indeed, in Delaware - in 102 years.

Here in LSD (Lower Slower Delaware), it has almost crippled everything - roads are open but still dangerously slippery. There's a thick coat of ice underneath all that beautiful snow.

This is the view from the door to our deck. I still can't open the door because of the drifts of snow that are against it.

What you can't see  in the shadow is the inch and a half of snow and ice that is on the deck.

The snow drift is up against the master bedroom window. Awesome, right?  Ms. Conroy says it will provide "insulation." I suppose she's right, but it still makes me feel cold, just to look at it.

Here are some more views, looking out to Rehoboth Bay from the "sun room".

The marsh is completely covered with ice and snow. No birds in the air.  No ducks in the water.  Just a very strange silence.

Last night, just before the snow stopped and the wind died down a bit, I heard some Canada geese overhead.  I looked up and there was a formation of about 8-10 of them, bravely making their way somewhere as the wind and snow pushed them around in the sky.

Back to Canada, perhaps.  I suspect this little winter sojourn in a more "moderate climate" has not worked out exactly the way they might have intended.

 

This is the view from the back (street) entrance to the house.   You can see how the snow drifted due to the strong 35 -40 mile an hour winds that were blowing and howling.   

I parked Ms. Lucy True Bug (my car) in my neighbor's yard behind the boat, thinking the boat might protect her from most of the wind and snow.   It was a good idea.  It's going to take me most of the morning just to clear out enough snow to get to her.

If you look closely, you can even see the lines in the snow where the wind left its mark.  I expect to see that sort of stuff on a mountain range in Maine.  But, in Lower Slower Delaware?  I don't think so.

That little indentation to the left of the boat is where there is a yard ornament - a few pieces of drift wood tied together with some rope. Looks sort of 'beachy' and summery - when it's not almost completely covered by snow (and ice).  

Oh, and that "bump" leading from the bottom of the picture to the boat?  That's the path I have to shovel.  Yeah, I've already taken an Aleve.

And these are the stairs.  That I need to shovel first.  Before I can get to the path.  Before I can get to my car, Ms. Lucy True Bug.  Before I can shovel out the high mound of snow (and ice) left by the snow plows.

The Governor of the State of Delaware is scheduled to make an announcement at 3 PM about schools and public transportation.  The estimate is that it's going to cost around $35-40 million to clear everything - before the next storm hits on Wednesday.

That's a pretty hard, cold reality 'wake up' call for those who wax romantic and poetic about the snow. 

I admit, it's lovely to look at, especially from my wee cozy-warm cottage where I have food and running water and electricity and heat.  There are still over 40,000 people in Delaware who don't have those luxuries this morning.  And, those are just the homeowners.  God only knows where those who don't have any homes woke up this morning.

Thank you for all your prayers and wise tips about how to stay safe during the storm - especially when I lost electricity and heat.  When I lived in Maine, I knew all those things.  It was great to have so many of you send me helpful reminders.

Special prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God for all those who were out in the Blizzard, cleaning streets, hooking up electric and cable lines, and keeping us safe.

The morning has warmed up and the Aleve has kicked in so it's time to get bundled up and start shoveling.  It's a daunting task.  I'm planning to take it slow and stop when I get tired.

The biggest challenge is that I don't have any boots here, but I think I've got a plan: 

Plastic and duct tape.

If it's good enough to protect us from "The Terrorists" it's good enough to help me dig myself out from the aftermath of 'Snowmarghedon'.