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Most of the schools in the area have been closed. It snowed all night here, and I think we had about 5 inches. It has melted since then. This morning, it was wet flurries, not sleet, when I let the pets out. They didn’t stay out very long. Too wet. I just shoveled and it’s pure wet snow and slush. A big, yucky mess.
Just up the road, the neighbors don’t have any power. Tree trucks are parked in front of the manse and church, and they’re fixing the electric pole or lines. We couldn’t tell from our place. I think we’ll be okay for the rest of the day. It is predicted that we’ll get rain for the weekend. Yuck! More mess!
Better take some snapshots before it melts.
It’s snowing again! It’s accumulating on the ground tonight. Ugh! Not yet on the roads though. Probably in the higher elevations. So far, schools haven’t called it off yet. I hope they don’t.
This winter has been bad. One person said it’s the worst winter in a long time. My mother reminded me that every time I moved to a new area or state, the first winter I was there was always the “worst” winter ever. I don’t know why. To my own eyes, it was a normal winter regardless of where I moved. I guess winters in Cleveland helped. I’ll agree with that person on one note: that terrible ice storm that paralyzed most of the state in January. Now that was bad.
Two school districts that I work for have had many snow days, most of them were due to that ice storm. Luckily here, we were spared of the ice storm; the ice storm moved north to the next county. We had rain and freezing rain. Then snow. And snow. Home school district were closed on and off due to snow and ice. One week, there were two days of school. Next week, one day. The following week, three days. On and off. It was crazy.
However, students and colleagues in the Farthest school district were not so lucky. They did not have any electricity from 3 days to a week. Lines and trees were down. They were closed for almost a month in January to early February. When I returned there, I saw the damaged trees and limbs in the fields and on the sides of the mountains. It was a mess.
Farthest school district will not be out until June 10th, while Home school district will get out on May 28th. So please no more snow days!!! Such is the life in rural area.
Update: I just saw the weather report. It doesn’t look promising. We shall see. Home school district just closed, and that’s where I’m supposed to be working tomorrow. Am waiting to see if the Farthest school district is open or not. May try to go out there if the roads are clear.
When I came home from work today, I opened the mailbox and found an envelope addressed to me. It was from two former students. In the envelope, each wrote a long letter expressing their new life in high school and sharing how much they appreciate my teaching during middle school. They were so proud that they were able to answer questions about Romeo and Juliet and grammar in high school — all because of their hard work in middle school. They also sent a bumper sticker with the name of the school. I will always cherish these letters. It was the boost that I needed especially after what happened yesterday.
Let me start with describing my job a little bit more. I work in three school districts and sometimes, they have different schedules. That’s the fun in coordinating schedules. I’m going to give each school district an alias to make things easier to explain.
Farthest School District, about 65 miles away from home
Home School District
City School District, about 15 miles away from home
Remember the first snow? Home School District had a snow day, but Farthest School District was open. I still went to work. This morning, I woke up and saw just plain ugly brown mud and grass, wet from yesterday’s rain. I got ready for work at the Farthest School District, but I had a hunch that I should check the news before I leave the house. Lo and behold, Farthest School District is closed, even though there is nothing on the ground outside my window. (Home School District had one hour delay.)
Ironic, isn’t it?
Snow in Our Front Yard -- That big blob of white is the snowflake.
When Rob came home from church, there were white dots on his dark brown hair. I exclaimed, “Snow!?!” “Yes, it’s snowing out there,” said Rob. Hmm… School tomorrow? This school district just canceled earlier this week. Probably not. (Yippie! I can finally catch up on paperwork!) But I’m not keeping my hopes up.
Anyhoo, here are a couple of quick photos that I just shot tonight. I learned that it’s a challenge to shoot in the dark.
Snowflakes in the Light - Again, the Big White Blob is the Snowflake
Two days ago, I smelled snow just like Lorelai of the Gilmore Girls. I knew it was coming. And it came today! Beautiful white sheet covered the ground. White topped trees and bushes. White roofs. Smoking chimneys. Snow-covered cars and trucks.
Local school district announced a two hour delay, which eventually cancelled the schools for the day. Some of the back roads in these mountains are so narrow, steep, and crooked. Black ice were on roads and bridges. However, this was not my day to work in that school district. (Rats!) Since we live close to the major highway, I was able to go to work at another school district about 65 miles away. There, snow was almost no where to be seen. Just a little dust here and there.
I didn’t get a chance to take pictures of the snow this morning. Hopefully, next time.
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