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| Rick finding it next to impossible to get the ice off! |
Much like any other winter forecast it started with the usual. "Rain tonight, possibly mixed with snow at times. Windy and cold Thursday with certain snow flurries." In as little as 15 hours, rain turned to ice and snow as the temperatures dropped from the mid-thirties to the low teens. Sustained winds between 35 and 40 mph with gusts up to 76 mph took the wind-chill to places even Ohioans never thought possible. Massive snowdrifts were up over the roof of the family home and "snowed in" took on a completely new meaning. A little over a foot of snow fell that day on top of sixteen inches from a previous storm earlier that same week. According to the Ohio Historical Society, over thirty years later, it is still one of the most devastating winter storms on record.
When I look at the man shoveling the snow and ice, though aged and changed in appearance, I still see the neighbor boy from a few doors up walking down to check in on his girlfriend and her family. The shovel is almost an antique now as we bought it for our first home so long ago. I treasure this time as taking a snow day with a childhood friend, irritating teenage boy, incredibly thoughtful boyfriend, love of my life, and partner who occasionally drives me nuts, is really not that bad at all.
Stay safe, be warm, and enjoy each other,
Denise, Beds 25 & 29
