Snowmaggedon 2021

 Oh my! It has been a YEAR since we began sheltering in place.  Can you believe it?

Inside that year we have also had record breaking highs, lows and fires. In the summer of 2020 smoke filled the air, blocked the sun and rained ash down on us. And we thought it all very scary and dramatic. But wait... there's more!

Last week meteorological forecast was for anywhere between 15 and 70" of snow in and around Boulder. More than Denver, more than the Rockies. We were told to expect the snow storm of a generation and everyone made plans to stay home, eat in, shovel a lot and perhaps lose power.  In short, snow would fill the air, block the sun and rain down on us for an extended period of time, at a good clip. 

Oh yeah... daylight savings started Sunday morning too.

Unlike ash, snow causes major infrastructure issues. Roads becoming impassable or dangerous is only fine if you don't need an ambulance, or need to get to work etc. Heavy snow on power lines and trees lead to damage and loss of power - heat, cooking, lights and all those conveniences (I'm talking about you Netflix) we have come rely on. Plowing and shoveling around condos, supermarkets and anything with a parking lot is subject to priority and in this situation, they couldn't keep up with the snowfall anyway.

The snow actually arrived almost 24 hours late. But it was wet and icy and of mud like consistency when shoveling the first 6-8". Heart attack material (no kidding).

Mark and I did very little shoveling on Saturday - in fact I even went out and showed a house to a client. It was snowing, but not so bad. 

Sunday was different. It started in the morning and pummeled us all day long. We geared up and shoveled 3x on Sunday, trying to keep the snow accumulation to a max of 8" or so. I'm pleased to report that my efforts at weight training the last couple months DID pay off and there's no muscle or back pain today, despite the strenuous workouts of Sunday.

The cats also had a couple of excursions outside, but quickly decided it was beyond their skills (or level of enthusiasm) to wade through it. They brought us dangling snowballs as gifts upon their return and dropped them all over the house. Lovely.

Even though every tree had branches bent and stuck to the ground, drowning in snow and ice, we don't appear to have lost branches and for that, I'm very grateful! It helps to just get out there with a broom and knock some weight off, from time to time too.

There go the patio lights!

As for what happened indoors...

We passed these snowy days with a delicious international menu of homemade food, jigsaw puzzles, episodes of Grey's Anatomy and photography from windows.

Corned beef:

Pizza:

Potstickers:

Strognaoff: 

And... popcorn!

Monday morning brought a beautiful sunrise and featured blue sky. The storm has passed. This is very Colorado. The snow is melting and evaporating as I type. And across the 'hood there are possibly sighs of dismay from those who have relished the chance to cross-country ski and snowshoe their way around the neighborhood in a blizzard. 

This amazing pic is courtesy of my neighbor, Jenny! <3

The folks of Boulder are outdoorsy and adventurous. A storm of epic proportions is considered a gift of a different kind. With it brings the chance to play together, exercise differently, help neighbors and get a different perspective on "beauty".  Besides, we have been weathering a lot together this past year and we're STILL HERE. Still enjoying life. Still grateful for challenges and changing vistas, good health and a great community.