Snowed In

A big storm that hit the Plains really hard dumped a lot of snow on Northern New Mexico. Some say the most in twenty years. The Farmer’s Almanac predicted record snows. At Thanksgiving, when the temperatures were in the sixities and seventies Fahrenheit, I doubted a snowing winter was on the way.

But now that it is here, it’s a record. Highways, stores, libraries, and the post office are closed. Video stores are doing a great business, as are motels for those stranded in Santa Fe.

I counted cat food cans this morning, and made sure to know where flashlights and matches are. So far, only a few flickers of lights, so perhaps we’ll not lose power along the way. My own grocery stash is in good shape.

I’ve spent the last few days trying to keep paths clear for the cats and the occasional human. Last night, when I looked out my upstairs window around midnight, I saw snow continuing to fall. By this morning, the snow was up to a window that’s about two feet from the ground.

Even though this is very light, dry snow, the broom was no longer sufficient. And no snow shovel. So the squared shovel had to do.

First, I cleared kitty paths. When I came inside for a drink of water, I noticed Tiger coming from one of the condos. Snowed in, I guess. All cozy, though. I haven’t removed the snow hats because I know they are good insulation. I think, though, he’s been in the old cardboard box that I made originally. I refer to it now as slum housing, but they all seem to still adore it, so I haven’t removed it. Tiger has other options and he’s in good fat shape for winter, so I don’t see a need to interfere.

The usual six are holed up in the studio with occasional runs and leaps outside. Mama and Rimpoche are snug in straw and an insulated box in the kitty casita aka storage shed.

So far, the temperatures haven’t dipped much below 15 F, so again the main item to track is keeping unfrozen water available.

I spent the rest of the morning with my little shovel clearing part of the driveway so the cars can get in and out. First, though, I got stuck with my SUV and had to dig it out. I had hopes I could use it as a snow plow, but the compacted snow quickly turned to slippery slush-ice. Nothing to do but shovel.

As I write this, snow is falling again. A little while ago, it seemed the sun might peek through. Everywhere is white or gray-white, with the exception of dark branches and the brown walls of houses. Snow on the parapets looks like icing on a cake to me.

It’s a magic time with the usual hazards. I feel lucky to be cozied in with lively cats, some nice food, and yarn to knit. Tomorrow, I may take advantage of the part-shoveled driveway and venture out a little to cast my eye over the landscape. Maybe I’ll see if there is a snow shovel left to buy in all of Santa Fe. Next year, I’ll pay closer attention to the Farmer’s Almanac and do a little preparation for whatever weather it predicts.

From here in snowing Santa Fe, a New Year’s wish for all: May your hearts be filled with the magic of life in the year to come.