It was so wonderful to be there, safe at home, sheltered from the winds and the cold. – Laura Ingalls Wilder, American author (1867-1957)
There was something about the Prairie for me-it wasn’t where I had come from but when I moved there it just took me in. – American author of “Cowboys Are My Weakness” (1962- )
As I write this the weather people say cold, rainy, possibly ice and snow will greet us later in the week. We’ve done what we can to protect the homestead. The propane tank is full, if the power goes out, we’ll still have heat. If it lingers awhile, I may try heating soup on the fireplace or making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The cabinet doors stay open where there are waterpipes, we’ll drip water faucets if necessary. A slender sheet of ice has already covered the lily pond. The goldfish are okay so far. They float suspended under the ice. The greenhouse is heated. We can only hope and pray all will be well. Night temperatures are predicted to drop to a low of 22 degrees.
Ice and snowstorms are not uncommon in the sunny south. Over the years we have a few. History reports in 1940 temps dropped to -5 degrees in Jackson, thought to be the lowest ever record. Tupelo temperature dropped to -3 and Greenville hovered at zero for several nights.
1994 announced the Delta Ice Storm. On February 9 temperatures ranged in the 60’s and 70’s until the cold front arrived. Freezing rain and sleet shut down flights at the airport and were unable to resume until the 16th. Power lines were downed, trees were iced over, as were phone lines and utility poles.
Official updates popped up on my phone with information from the National Weather Service issuing a winter storm warning in effect until midnight CST last Friday night. To include heavy mixed precipitation, snow and sleet. Accumulations may be up to 3 inches and ice accumulations up to two tenths of an inch. This warning is for portions of north Mississippi. Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Plan for slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact Thursday evening and Friday morning.
On Thursday we gathered flashlights and distributed them across the house in case of power outages, we had blankets, a short supply of water bottles, and warm clothing. Wilhelmina, the cat, will remain inside as the sunsets.
Since I’m not sure about the inclement weather as to the date this column will print if you’re reading before the winter weather, please be ready and safe. You should read this column hopefully after the winter storm has moved through and all is well. God bless you and yours.
Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].
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