Oh, the Weather Outside Is Frightful

We're in the middle of the weirdest winter storm.  The roads are clear, there is no snow on the ground, but everything is covered in ice.  Nearly everyone we know in our city has no electricity; strangely, we still have it.  (But it's flickering ominously--I've auto-posted a few things, just to be safe.)

The worst part is watching our neighborhood trees.  I'm ridiculously sentimental about them all, and we're powerless to do anything but stand on the porch and watch branch after branch crash to the ground.

Our backyard looks like this:

...and the front yard looks like this:

And we don't even have it as bad as our neighbors, who appear to be about to lose every tree in their yard:

I could just weep.  Actually, since I took the above pictures mid-day on Monday, about twice that many limbs have fallen.  Our trampoline is almost toast.  My kids could weep.

But like I said, I've got Works-For-Me-Wednesday auto-posted, in case our house joins the hordes of other chilly and dark houses in our city.  If it looks all wonky, you'll know why.

And now I'm going to sit by the fire.

Comments

[Amy]

Shannon, stay inside! It's warm, it's safe and you've got a great family to hang out with while you're there!

[Edi]

we are experiencing the same...it's been raining a lot, ice on trees and roofs but the roads are (thankfully) clear. We have not lost of electricity for which I am thankful.

The trees look beautiful encased in ice and frost... though unpleasant to think of losing your trees or having large branches come crashing down (our problem until we had our tree chopped down this summer - too many close calls and concerns about the whole tree coming down on our house or our neighbors.

Hope you don't lose your electricity either!

[jen]

We have had it like that before and it is almost scary.....good luck. And stay warm.

[momhuebert]

Oh, I'm so sorry. Ice storms can be devastating!

[Anna]

Our city had one like that a couple of years ago. Even though it's so devastating, enjoy the beauty... it's one-of-a-kind.

[Prisca]

I have been through an ice storm like this and it's a real endurance test. I'm hoping your power stays on!

[Laura]

Eeeek! Hide under the bed for pete sakes. That looks brutal!

[chickadee]

ice, that's all we ever get here too. it's the worst. maybe there won't be as much damage as you think.

[tonni]

Eerily beautiful and frightening at the same time. I hope you stay warm.....Here in cincy all we are getting is rain, rain, rain....

[biodtl]

Wow! That's really too bad about those trees. We have a giant sycamore in our front yard that I both love and fear, because of the weather.

[Sue @ praise and coffee]

OH my goodness!!
Those pictures are amazing.

Try to keep warm!
Sue

[Susanne]

An ice storm! I'm so sad for those big old trees! Stay warm and safe.

[kellie]

Sending prayers your way!

[Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife]

I'm thinkin' the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe...

[floorplan]

It IS time to weep when great limbs, which took decades to grow, snap off in a matter of hours. I understand!

deb meyers

[Melissa]

We have been through ice storms here in the past. It is beautiful, but can also be heart breaking and definitely dangerous when God is pruning our trees. Stay inside where it is safe. Stay warm!

[Tammy]

Wow, we had freezing rain last year, but not nearly as bad as what you have. Hope things get thawed out soon! I hope you don't lose your power!

[Julie]

Oh, Shannon, I am sooo sorry. There is nothing worse than an ice storm, except and ice storm without electricity.

Praying you survive!

[Fran]

Oh Shannon...these made me want to cry! This happened to us a few years back when we lived in Memphis and it was terrible. I hope everyone heals quickly!

[DT]

I was in the horrific ice storm in the Mississippi Delta in 1994. The sad reality is that many of those trees will be lost and things might never look the same. The good thing is that once the ice starts to melt, cleanup can begin!

[Jenni]

I'm crying over our magnolia, which has lost two big branches thus far. I'm praying it hangs on for a little while longer!

Unlike you, our streets are **treacherous**! Hope your power stays on...ours has been in and out for 2 days. Very tiresome!

Warm (((HUGS)))!!! Enjoy the fire...I know I do!

[Jessica]

We had an ice storm here back in 2003. It was crazy. My small one bedroom apartment was without electricity for a week. Luckily I had great friends I stayed with and was warm. It was no fun. I hope you guys stay nice and warm!

[Not the Queen]

Yikes! I'm glad our winters aren't that bad. That's scary!

[Michelle- This One's for the Girls]

My parents (who live in the same town as you) have been without power for 20 hours.

The ice should arrive north of KC by midnight. I am DREADING it.

Stay warm!!!!!

[Ronnica]

I think it's so crazy that all my friends in Oklahoma are iced in, while we're enjoying 80 degree weather!