Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Flozzard

I heard someone coin this phrase today regarding our blizzard and flood - sounds pretty apt to me!

Well, the winter storm they had warned us about certainly came roaring in last night. We have had several inches of snow already and it's falling pretty steadily again along with 20 mph winds. Our office was open for a few hours and they sent us home at 11 a.m. So many roads are closed for us and now with the blizzard, we only have one way out of our development and it's compacted with snow. The scary part is that this side road has ditches full of water that if you should happen to slide off the road you run the risk of going under. Not good ... I took it nice and slow on my way home.

So far, the snow and the wind hasn't caused much damage at all to the dikes. I listened to the daily press conference by city officials and they seem pleased with how the levees and dikes are handling the stress of the recent storm weather.

I'm settling in with the kids today (they are back now that the river has receded some) and just put a chicken in a stockpot to cook all afternoon long (chicken noodle soup or knoephla soup - such decisions!) We'll pop in a DVD, I'll read a flew blogs and we'll spend the day inside safe and warm.

12 comments:

Roses and Lilacs said...

I'm gland to hear the river has gone down a little. I guess this snow can' t be good but you probably are taking one thing at a time.

I hope you're able to rest and relax. It has to be stressful waiting.
Marnie

Lynn said...

Thank God the river has gone down, but all that snow!!! This is suppose to be spring.Hope you are getting some rest!!

Connie said...

I've been keeping up with the news, and so happy to hear the river is receding and the dikes holding.
Sounds like a great way to spend the day...including the chicken soup! :-)

Susie said...

With all you have been thru a good, relaxing day with kids and dvd's sounds great. Hopefully your stressful days are disappearing.

Iowa Victory Gardener said...

Hi Beth,
I'm glad you all are safe and warm and that the water is receding somewhat. Still, a "flozzard" has got to be a new one for you folks, though hardly an enviable distinction!

I checked your radar a few times today and it looked like the snow was letting up somewhat, but still ... you don't need any more! Especially with that 2nd crest predicted for April. This is beginning to look like the long haul for you folks, so hang in there!

My vote was for chicken noodle or chicken tortilla soup ... what did you end up making?

I forgot last night to tell you how much I like your header photo... Monarda is one of our favorite plants in the garden!

PS ... my word verification made me laugh: "whitie!"

Beth said...

Roses and Lynn: Yes, the river is slowly going down. This morning - we had some very encouraging signs: Roads were opening up, the National Guard was no longer stationed at each corner and best yet, they have suspended the 24-hour dike patrol! I think all those prayers are working ...

Connie and Susie: My day at home was very good yesterday and very relaxing! You can just tell that everyone's stress level has eased some.

IVG: We are still preparing for the second crest and dikes will still be in place. Some area still look like a war-zone but we'll put up with that for a few weeks yet and that's OK. We are all safe and we didn't have to evacuate! Yay!

Whitie - what sweet irony!

P.S. I took a family vote last night for supper and we went with knoephla soup - which is a delicious chicken-based German soup with dumplings. The perfect comfort food ....

Kerri said...

Hi Beth, It was so nice to hear from you! I've been thinking of you with the floods and then the big snowstorm in the headlines this past week. Oh what a time you poor upper mid-westerners have had!
I hope everything settles down for you very soon and that you'll be able to get out into the garden and plant those seeds.
Thanks for sharing the events with us. It's fascinating to read a report of those scary times by someone who's actually experienced them.

Johnnny said...

Hi Beth: I like the word Flozzard or even Floozard. It's rare to have an epic flood while at the same time get hit with a heavy wet blizzard. The other word I liked was StockPot. Kit just made some chicken stock a week or two ago. After skimming off the fat, she put it into an ice cube tray so now we have stockcubes to enhance homecooked meals. Just for a touch of Spring, I recently bought Kit a pack of Lemon Basil seeds. More later, Johnnny!

Beth said...

Kerri - It's not even over yet. City officials said that the 2nd crest could be higher than last week's! At this point, we'll just take it one day at a time and wish for spring.

Johnnny - Tell Kit I bought the Bush Morning Glory seeds already. I'm just excited looking at the package. It's obviously been a long winter ...

Johnnny said...

Hi Beth & Friends: Regarding the "reflood", I think we should refer to it as "The Second Coming of Crest", or if you prefer: "Crest's Second Coming". Either way, it could be apocalytic! Regarding the slow changing of the seasons, it seems like this winter has been especially long. To help spring along, yesterday Kit planted those Lemon Basil seeds in a medium-sized clay pot which is now sitting in the sun by our south-facing sliding glass doors, covered by some clingwrap to emulate a warm climate. Johnnny

Beth said...

Johnnny - that gave me a big chuckle. The "second coming of crest" - you're a funny dude!

Kit said...

I think Fargo should have a winter concert extravaganza and call it CREST FEST. It could be huge!

For Easter, we should probably all sing "Crest Is Risen" at church.

Oh, the pun possibilities...

Beth, I'm so glad you're going to plant those Morning Glory bush seeds...mine came from seed as well.

Also, I'm looking into this CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) membership where you get a crate of freshly picked organic vegetables every week! Johnnny has the info if you're interested. Everything from broccoli to raspberries! Kinda cool.

Good luck with the second coming!