A storm was predicted for last weekend, a huge weather system expected to cut a swath through much of the country from Texas across the Mid-Atlantic and New England, leaving as much as a third of the country snowbound and without power.
A weather report such as this, for anyone who grew up in New England, is a clarion call to start preparing for whatever was to come. That is what Mike and I spent Friday and Saturday doing. Mike must have made three or four trips to Cronig’s for supplies, and ingredients for the soup I started simmering Saturday morning. Wood was brought inside. Wheelbarrows were filled, covered with tarps, and stationed outside our back door. Snow shovels. Snowblower. Chainsaw. Candles. Flashlights. Flashlight batteries. Dog towels. Water. I decided that chocolate was a necessity, so I baked brownies.
A last thought was a cat box for Nelson, which proved critical, as the snow would have been way over his head. Mike kept the porches and paths shoveled before he went off to the firehouse, but snow quickly covered everything, and I went out to shovel again for Abby to get out. The snow was well up to her stomach. After her initial refusal to go out, she finally relented, and I laughed watching her rolling in the snow, then jumping and cavorting across the back yard.
I do love a good snowstorm.
My cousin, Hannah Beecher, sent the following report on Saturday morning from Texas, where the storm began: “I looked out the window this morning and the ground was all white. I was so excited to see snow! So Henry and I went out — it wasn’t snow, but sleet. The ground was a thick sheet of ice! And sooo slippery! So disappointing.” Hannah is well, and sends her regards to everyone. She and Henry, her dog, really miss West Tisbury.
The library sent out an email announcing it would be closed this past Sunday because of the storm, and an announcement about Monday would be forthcoming. Among special programs this coming week, Aubrey Stimola Ryan will discuss the latest science-based information about alpha-gal this Saturday, Jan. 31, at 3 pm; Sunday, Feb. 1, Rose Colored Glasses will perform music of several genres at 2 pm; students from MVRHS Early Childhood Program will provide childcare while parents can Work from Home at the Library from 11 am to noon; there will be a reception for Island Rug Hookers from 3 to 4:30 pm on Friday, Feb. 6. The Climate Book Club has copies of Rachel Carson’s book “Silent Spring” available for members in advance of its meeting on Feb. 22.
Congratulations to Chief Manny Rose, newly appointed leader of the Chilmark Fire Department. May former Chief Bradshaw enjoy his retirement.
I hope everyone saw Paul Karasik’s cartoon in the Gazette. It showed Mal Jones at his most inventive self, so typical of Mal, doing something goofy, and being sure he is prepared for whatever eventuality might arise. Perfect.
I was so sad to hear that Sue Silva died last week. When I read her obit and saw the photograph her family chose to accompany it, I was reminded of how I always saw Sue in my mind’s eye: suntanned, smiling, holding a colorful bouquet of the flowers she grew in abundance every summer, which she so generously shared. She painted those bouquets, too, at Howes House, where she painted every Friday afternoon with her watercolor group. Rest well, dear Sue. My condolences to her family and friends.