I live in the Heart of Dixie. That’s Alabama to ya’ll outsiders. I guess I live here for a few reasons, one of them being the my ancestors didn’t care too much for cold weather, ice, and snow. Well, we’re about to get all three it looks like. Around these here parts, that means a level of craziness that exceeds even what most Yankees believe is customary (I’m leaving the Damn Yankees out of that group as they live here, too, and won’t go back). In any event, the level of craziness is most evident at “the Wal-Marts” and Kroger. Just ask my former student, Cliff McCollum, who just saw two women arguing over a package of hot dogs (they probably weren’t even all beef hot dogs either).
At our house, Himself and I are obligated to participate in the craziness because living out in the country presents a set of challenges related to this type of weather that my urbanite friends don’t understand. It is inevitable that we will lose power and because we are so far from civilization, we have no city services so we are total electric and have a well. So, for the past two days, Himself and I have been doing our best to be ready for the impending “Ice Storm of Aught and Eleven.”
The most crucial part of our preparedness is WATER! Total Electric + Well = NO WATER. For you city dwellers, that also means NO FLUSHING. Therefore, a supply of water for “the necessary” is…well….necessary.
No power also means (obviously) no lights, no stove, etc…. It’s a good thing we have camping gear at the ready!
Lanterns all over the house...extra batteries where needed, too!
Propane lanterns and camera batteries, check!
Camp stove and coffee pot - priorities!
There’s also a lack of entertainment out here in this kind of weather, so we make sure we have cards, dominos, etc… The age of technology also means making sure the iPods and Kindle are charged!
I couldn't make it without my Kindle!
We also have to make sure we have the kind of foods that can easily be heated on the camp stove. Yesterday I braved the madness and went to the store…not really because of the impending storm, but because the pantry was bare! I did lay in a few more cans of soup and some items that are easily prepared using our camping equipment.
Yum-Yum!
The animals are good to go, and so are the people.
My biggest concern? Will I lost power and/or satellite and not be able to see the Bowl Championship game tomorrow night? SAY IT AIN’T SO!
Lisa Ann
P.S. – my cooking preparations are coming up soon!
Looks like you guys are ready. All the food looks great too. Wish I could have some too. Hope you guys make it through and have power tomorrow night!