(no subject)

[rivka]

A Blizzard Warning remains in effect until 7 PM EST this evening.

* Precipitation type... snow and blowing snow.

* Accumulations... 10 to 20 inches. Drifts of 2 to 4 ft possible.

* Timing... snow will continue through the afternoon. Gusty winds
will continue into this evening.

* Temperatures... mid and upper 20s.

* Winds... 25 to 35 mph with gusts around 55 mph. Blowing and
drifting snow will reduce visibilities to a quarter mile or less
at times... producing blizzard conditions.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Blizzard Warning means severe winter weather conditions are
occurring. Do not venture outside. This is a life threatening
situation for anyone who becomes stranded.

I read Alex a couple of chapters of Laura Ingalls Wilder's The Long Winter - not the scary part where they're starving to death and burning hay for heat, but an early blizzard. It helped for atmosphere and a sense of perspective. We are warm and cozy inside our food-filled, well-insulated house.

Comments

[eeyorerin]

The part where Laura wakes up as Pa is shovelling snow off of her bed is still vivid in my mind.

[ailbhe]

I was wondering whether you'd read her that. What about the bit near Plum Creek where Pa hides in a snowbank for days, eating all the Christmas food?

[matthewwdaly.livejournal.com]

Reading through your homeschooling blog, I was thinking about how interesting it might be to study the ways that pre-industrial cultures dealt/deal with getting around during heavy snowfall. Katy is very useful, but the snowplow was only invented in 1911.

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Something I didn't realize about winter until I read the History of Euphemia Township is that in southern Ontario back in the 19th century, winter was the time for major travel. The frozen roads supported sleigh runners when wheeled carts would have bogged down in spring mud. New immigrants would arrive starting in November and get moved out to their homesteads over the next three months, while transportation was possible.

[brainwane (from livejournal.com)]

I remember a timepass activity from that book: Laura & Mary competing to recite things. They take turns remembering & reciting poems, if I recall correctly.

[aloha-moira.livejournal.com]

Oh, I remember loving that book. And being jealous that they had so much snow that the sides of the path they cleared were taller than they were... guess Alex is having approximately that experience!