Disaster struck Tuesday morning-before I even had the chance to put the kettle on for my first yummy cup of PG Tips BOOM! The power went out-Ugh!!! I managed to grab a seriously lukewarm cup from the kettle my husband had boiled 3 hours earlier when he got up for work. The reason for my peaceful slumber? A snow day in SA.
Snow in San Antonio
San Antonio does not see a lot of snow and definitely not much that sticks. I did not live here at the time but there was a big snow storm in the 80’s and besides some snow flurries a few years ago there was a beautiful snow day that stuck around for just a day-but I have never experienced anything like the Snowpocalypse. Don’t get me wrong I have traveled to snow-even attempted skiing a few times. Snow and cold can be very nice-but for the moment I leave it where it belongs.
Valentine’s Snow
The snow started Valentine’s Night-it was so beautiful!l There was so much! One of my dogs ran around happily playing fetch and eating snow-my other was not as pleased. The next morning at my own house we measured 4 inches of snow had fallen. The grass was covered, the cars were covered, stunning! Then we started receiving local update texts that the highways closed, and neighborhood streets started closing and then rolling blackouts began. Worse weather was predicted and ice and freezing rain was expected
PANIC!
Everyone started to get concerned as we discovered that the rolling blackouts and cold weather were going to continue as the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas-ERCOT was not prepared for this. WHY? No one else in the country seemed to shut down like this. There were runs on the store-long lines, shelves emptying. Even if people have fireplaces, it’s mid February there was no need to have stocked a ton of wood and to be honest how much wood is really needed in south central Texas. And the driving? The city and Texas were not prepared for that! Then we discovered there were hundreds of thousands losing power. Snowpocalypse.
Power
It was a little like watching dominoes fall. More and more of my friends were losing power. Finally it was our turn. After my lukewarm cuppa I filled my kettle in hope that power would return. I even became practical and prepared some pans and filled my tub in case water went too. Then I did the only logical thing and jumped back in bed under 2 quilts and snuggled dogs.
Rolling Blackouts
Power came on for a few hours then off for longer. Food wise we were good-but we are the electric stove people-when power was on we cooked sausages and warmed them on the fire in foil. We were fine. The scary part-was worrying about others. The elderly needing oxygen being advised to call 911 for emergency refills. Little kiddos sleeping in cars with their parents to stay warm worrying about carbon monoxide. House fires from leaving fireplaces on for heat. We started to realize people around the country were concerned.
So ensued more outages for some, some remained with power, some lost water, then there reached the boil water phase for areas of the city.
San Antonio
The San Antonio that I love jumped into action. Everyone checking on friends and neighbors. Those with heat providing hot meals for others, those with wood providing to those with fireplaces. Those with water were invited to other houses to fill up. We checked on each other and each other’s needs. City centers were being opened for warm places for people to go and places to get a meal as well as local Churches and other organizations. Local Facebook groups offered items like extra milk and so on should another need it. This is my San Antonio.
Snowpocalypse Tea!
As you know whatever happens in life I do believe that all joy, celebrations, sadness or clarity of mind is always shared over a cup of tea. So every time the power came back on in my own home my kettle immediately followed. I filled hot water bottles for the bed, made a pot of tea and filled a thermos with hot water for a future cup. I decided I needed to choose a tea for this Snowpocaclypse. Something to look forward to, to keep warm as well as something to look forward to and enjoy. I chose Chocolate Mint by Harney Tea with a splash of Almond Creamer. This tea tastes just like a warm, delicious Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookie. It was perfect.
So now my power is on (hopefully staying on) and we are all continuing to conserve as much as we can. I sit here right now watching the snow and I am hopeful that the power stays on for everyone and will be restored quickly for the thousands left without it in the city. It seems as though there will be one more day of this crazy winter until the city can open up again. Families still made snowmen and snow angels. They still sled down hills and threw snowballs. There were still some smiles. The Snowpocalypse will surely be remembered in many different ways.
Things I have learned from this Snowpocalypse.
- I should have purchased a gas stove.
- I should always have a full tank of gas for the grill.
- There’s no such thing as too much wood for the fire
- I am glad I own hot water bottles that stay warm all night.
- I am thankful for San Antonians that always take care of each other.
- Luke warm tea is not the best.
- Harney Chocolate Mint tea is a wonderful snowy tea.
Most importantly I am truly thankful for San Antonians that always take care of each other. It is so nice that Alaska came to visit but I would like it to go home now.
Stay warm everyone, check on loved ones, friends and stay safe.