Zombie Snowpocalypse

a/k/a #BLIZZARD2016

We've been calling it the "Zombie Snowpocalypse" because of the state of things here in the days leading up to the big snow storm.  It . . . was . . . crazy!!!

Although the weather people had been talking about this storm almost a week before it blew in, too many people waited until the last minute to prepare.  The closer we got to the storm, the more dire the warnings became for our area . . . "expect 20-30 inches of snow" . . . "blizzard conditions with wind gusts of 40+ mph" . . . "shelter in place" . . . "have at least a three-day supply of food on hand" . . . "expect the power to be out for days" . . . "worst storm to hit the DC-area in 100 years."

It was sobering to see how quickly the supply "system" we take for granted can break down in times of impending crisis.  Grocery store shelves were quickly emptied.  Basic supplies such as eggs, bread, meat, fresh produce, cereal, batteries and bottled water were gone, with no hope of replenishment before the storm.

Parking lots were full and the stores were packed with wild-eyed, inconsiderate people (the "undead," or zombies, in my analogy) frantically rushing about to grab whatever they could get off the shelves, pursuing their own self-interest without much concern for their fellow man.  Oh, the humanity!  Sadly, some opportunistic people even viewed it as a chance to profit off other people's unpreparedness.  The news reported that someone in a nearby community was selling loaves of bread for $20!

And trying to find "camping-type" supplies like a small propane canister for our tabletop Coleman cook stove?  Every Walmart, Home Depot and Dick's in our area had been sold out for days.

Gas stations either had lines down the street or were closed because they ran out of gas.

What was happening?!?

Let's just say it was a good warning shot over the bow as to how quickly things can deteriorate in times of crisis, especially in an intensely populated urban area.

In any case, back to the historic storm!

As predicted, we were right in the crosshairs.  It started snowing on Friday at about 12:45 pm.  It snowed steadily all afternoon, and we went to bed with a few inches on the ground.

And we woke up the next day to about 16-18 inches.

We got busy shoveling, knowing that there was more to come.

The winds kicked up to blizzard proportions on Saturday, causing near white out conditions.  The hubby and I couldn't resist going for a walk at the height of the blizzard, just to see how bad it really was.

Sometime after we went to bed on Saturday night, the snow stopped falling, the winds died down, and the storm shifted out to sea.  We woke up to brilliant blue skies and a winter wonderland of 28-29 inches of snow on the ground!

Since we only have one snow shovel, we took turns and shoveled snow for the better part of the day today.  

The clean out is going to take days, but at least we have clear sidewalks, a clear driveway and a path to the single lane the snow plow made on our street.   

As the sun sets on this frozen winter wonderland, we're counting our blessings that we survived the "Zombie Snowpocalypse" (and especially that our power stayed on throughout the entire storm!).  School has already been cancelled on Monday and Tuesday, and OPM just said Federal offices will be closed tomorrow, so we're celebrating by kicking back and watching "Snow Day."  Huzzah!  

Colonial Christmastide

As we "shelter in place" and watch #Blizzard2016 out the windows (and while we still have power!), it seemed fitting to finish up a blog post from a sunnier time we had last month in one of our favorite places.

Nothing beats Christmastide in Colonial Williamsburg!  Gramma J. was here visiting and hadn't been there before, so we jumped at the chance to take her there and show her the sights.

As luck would have it, the weather was spectacular!  The temperature on our first day was 77 degrees with warm sun and a light breeze.  We've been there in late December before in unbearable cold, so we were very happy to be comfortable and warm.

We've already written a LOT about Colonial Williamsburg in previous blog entries, so I'll spare further details other than a few comments to narrate some of the photos we took as we strolled the grounds, hot apple cider in hand.

Gramma J. enjoyed the tour of the Governor's Palace, and Samuel took some cool pictures of the arsenal in the entryway meant to impress visitors to the Palace.

There was also ample time over several days to stroll around and see the beautiful Christmas wreaths and decor.

We also ate a couple of nice tavern meals.  The wait at Chownings was 2 1/2 hours, but we had some interesting entertainment to help pass the time.  A young man popped out of one of the upstairs tavern windows and gave a soliloquy on the virtues of hasty pudding.  And Eric, an aspiring fifer, especially enjoyed hearing the nice gentleman play some period tunes on the fife.

The Capitol looked beautiful illuminated by cressets at night.

One new thing we did was to attend one of the organ recitals in the Wren Chapel on the William & Mary Campus.  Gramma J., a pianist (and occasional church organist) loved hearing the light and bright "Roccoco" style of the Wren Chapel organ (English origin, circa 1740) emphasizing flute and woodwind instruments.

The Bruton Parish Church was also offering "A Sermon for the Season," which was meant to depict what an 18th-century sermon during the holiday season would be like.  The minister was a little stern, but Gramma J. was brave enough to pose for a picture with him.

Although the rest of Colonial Williamsburg was depicting the year 1773, the Wythe House was set up to depict the year 1781.  Wythe, a lawyer, had temporarily moved from his home while it was occupied by 15-20 French soldiers, including the Marquis de Lafayette himself.  The Marquis very graciously took time away from planning his seige of Yorktown, where Cornwallis was dug in behind heavy fortifications, to visit with us for a bit.

Our youngest and the Marquis had quite a conversation about military tactics, and he was kind enough to pose for a portrait afterwards!

He also got a quick portrait in with Patrick Henry after having some dialogue about who might be a good replacement for Lord Dunmore as Governor of Virginia.

Our oldest son, feeling very at home in the 18th century, entertained us as he practiced his "18th Century English."  Here's a flowery example of a text he sent while standing in line waiting to refill our hot cider cups at the Raleigh Tavern:

Although there is no electricity at Colonial Williamsburg (at least that the tourists see), it doesn't lack for illumination.  Here are a few pics of the courthouse by day and by night.  

Stay tuned for an inevitable blog post about #Blizzard2016 . . . once we survive it and get back on the grid!  

Lincoln's Cottage

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that counts.  It's the life in your years."

-  Abraham Lincoln

On the recommendation of a local friend, we took advantage of a free Saturday to check out Lincoln's Cottage, which is located on the grounds of the "Old Soldiers' Home" (now called the Armed Forces Retirement Home).  

During the Civil War years of his presidency, President Lincoln would move his family each summer from the White House and the swampy, humid, disease-ridden city to this home on a hill three miles north of the White House.  He would "commute" into the White House each day on horseback or in a carriage, initially without a security detail, and later, reluctantly, under the escort of soldiers for his protection.

This place was much grander than a "cottage" in my book, but apparently that term was--and is--used widely for any abode that is not your primary residence, no matter the size.

Me 'n' Abe

There is something magical about seeing where someone has lived, walking in their footsteps along the same squeaky floorboards, sliding your hand along the same handrail, looking out the same windows.  It definitely adds a depth to what you can read in dusty, musty old history books.

The visitor center is committed to presenting and preserving Lincoln's Cottage as a "Home for Brave Ideas," which is a fitting tribute to the importance and quality of thinking Lincoln did in this peaceful retreat.  

If you get a chance, I would highly recommend visiting this special place.

Artillery on the grounds

Christmas Blessings

Among our many blessings this Christmas (yes, in addition to our family and friends, ever faithful and tolerant Spike is definitely one of them!), we were lucky enough to attend a Christmas service at the Washington National Cathedral.  

We decided to give it a go, thinking that the services would probably be packed and we wouldn't get in, but much to our amazement, we did!

We chose an afternoon service on Christmas Day, "The Blessing of the Crib: A Service of the Christmas Lessons and Carols," which was following by a Christmas Day Organ Recital given by the Washington National Cathedral organist.  We arrived early enough to get seats right in the middle of the nave, at the transept, which gave us an unobstructed view and a guarantee of "surround sound" for the later organ recital.

The Cathedral was simply but beautifully decorated for the holidays.

Decorated stoup for holy water

Wreaths adorned the pillars

Gramma J. had arrived earlier that week to spend the Christmas holiday with us, and she had never seen the Cathedral before, so she was able to walk around and tour the church beforehand, even making it down to the crypts to see the display of Creches (Nativity Scenes) from many of the states as well as countries from all over the world.  

Holy Spirit Chapel

One of our favorite stained glass panels

Looking at the back of the church

View looking toward the altar

Closer view of stained glass in the apse

One of the many small chapels down in the crypt

Joseph of Arimathea chapel in the crypt

The organ recital was amazing!  I think the organist used used every single one of those 10,600+ pipes.  It was thunderous at times but quite delicate at others.  The selections ranged from familiar ones like Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite and the Christmas Oratorio by Bach to other lesser known works.  We emerged from the Cathedral feeling extremely festive and satisfied.

Christmas selfie of the churchgoers

We drove home along Embassy Row and enjoyed seeing varied lights and seasonal decorations along the way.

We hope that your Christmas blessings were many and your troubles few . . . wishing you much love and happiness in the new year!