WOW

Another 4-5" of snow here overnight. Daycare was closed and Danelle stayed home with the kids. I adventured my way into work after waiting for daylight. The truck did great with chains and 4 wheel drive, but it was slow going. I passed through a couple neighborhoods in SW Portland that didn't have any electricity. We've been very fortunate so far in that regard, knock wood.

I left the office at lunch time and made my way home after helping folks get unstuck. the snow stopped around mid day. Not supposed to get any more tomorrow, but the snow isn't going anywhere soon, so I'll work from home, probably for the rest of the week. It was a very vibrant winter wonderland on the way home. The two neighborhoods without power in the morning had their electricity back and people were walking everywhere. In the road. Guess it was easier for them to walk in the packed snow than on the sidewalks with 1' + drifts. Some on skis and snowshoes too.

Back at the house, Kristin and Kellen are really enjoying playing in the snow. We went out for a while this afternoon. They each investigate the snow in their own way. Kristin dives right in and enjoys measuring the depth with a wooden ruler. Kellen is more passive in his approach, though he did really enjoy 'sledding' down the top of the snow pile at the side of the driveway that we created from shoveling. Most people here don't even own shovels since it only snows usually once a year and then melts fast. I think we're the only house on the block with a shoveled driveway.

Danelle escaped to the grocery store in the truck after I got home from work. She'd been stuck home for several days and needed to get out. She was able to get us set up for Christmas dinner later this week. I think she enjoys driving the truck as much as I do. She commented on the 'moguls' in the road. They're large ice-bumps on top of the sewer manholes. The snow melts because the sewer is warmer, but then the water freezes into big bumps. Since only the highways get plowed, our streets are filled with moguls.

Dusk was very pretty tonight. Snow everywhere, on the trees, yards, houses, roads. Kind of glowed in the end-of-day light.

Looks like the midwest is getting hit with a nasty cold spell. We hope everyone is staying warm!