B L I Z Z A R D ! ! !

For those not aware, the NE USA is hunkering down in anticipation of a major blizzard.

Some who live in places without snow may ask, what is a blizzard?

Officially, the National Weather Service defines a blizzard as a storm which contains large amounts of snow OR blowing snow, with winds in excess of 35 mph and visibilities of less than 1/4 mile for an extended period of time (at least 3 hours).

This coming storm (beginning this afternoon) is supposed to be of two days duration with at least 2 feet of snow accumulation.

Here it means, cut firewood (500 pounds cut and ready, enough for 20 loads of the wood (heating) stove, obtain kerosene for the kerosene heater (12 gallons now stored), buy food, goodies, and batteries for a flashlight, top off the cars gas tank, charge all phone batteries and make sure the shovels and the snow blower are ready.

The utility companies are warning that if power goes out, due to the high winds making bucket trucks unsafe, it may be a day or three before electricity is restored.

I feel for those living in houses with only electricity as the primary heat source. I have that too, but being an older home with fireplace and a wood stove, as well as my own small forest, I have a built in resource to which I have added kerosene heaters as an option. Including a big one I call the dragon which belches out an amazing 110,000 BTUs. I don't turn it on often (cause it can consume 3 gallons of Ksene in about 2 hours) but when I do, it heats things up quick. There are also some smaller 20,000 BTU (they eat 3 gallons per 12 hours) units.

Bring it on. I am ready.

The truck is prepped for snow accumulation.



A half hour before a radar map shows the snow will probably begin to arrive.



My wood stove is lit and full. The warmth begins.



Electric heaters are working too.

Where are my apple turnovers..?