Weather 4 Ducks

The first storm(s) of the year here in Northern California were wild! What a way to start the New Year. It began on Thursday (the 3rd) but it was what hit on Friday that made it real. The largest storm to hit us in a decade they say. The National Weather service warned us just after midnight:

"The 4 inch of rain that fell Thursday ... was just a teaser of storms to come. There's some truly nasty weather on the way today and into the weekend. The valley floor could see wind gusts of up to 80 mph -- rain is expected through Sunday as second and third storms are expected to slam into the state. Before it's all done, there could be more than a foot of rain in parts of California and up to 10 feet of snow in the mountains."

"A rare blizzard warning is in effect for the horseshoe of mountains surrounding Northern California. If you're not in the Sierra by this evening, don't go," Ken Clark, a senior meteorologist at Accuweather.com said Thursday. "It's a life-and-death situation. It's going to be an all-out blizzard."

But I had no idea what we were in for. Really. I hadn't really listened. I figured it was not going to be anything big deal and only half paid the warnings any mind. Thank goodness I nailed the studio stained glass awning windows shut. I don't know why I at least did that. Glad for it though. My beloved Queen Ann door on the studio blew open and the antique wavy glass window panes in it, shattered to bits. I should have nailed it shut like the windows. Hind sight. But who'd of thought to nail a door? I mean, it was locked!

My animals spent most of Friday under beds or in my lap. All of us in the dark. Listening to the howling, hearing things propelled by the wind and praying along with me as I watched the trees out the window that nothing big would hit the cottage. I sit surrounded by some big'uns. Sequoias to both sides that I didn't know could bend like they did. I mostly worried over a huge pecan in my backyard considered my pride and joy. She stretches a good eighty feet across and cradles in her arms a very special squirrel nest.

My reason for the worry? Not even light out yet, winds only at their beginning and ... CRASH. Just down the road the neighbors tree when down. Took out everything in it's path.

I took one look at the damage and was offically in awe of Mother Nature. I started trying to remember what I had read about the incoming storm. Blast! Why hadn't I paid more attention? They had cautioned everyone to prepare.

Something about ... with the expected high winds, expect damage. Power might be knocked out for extended periods:

"City and county officials are preparing for what could prove to be a wet, windy and wild weekend.
A series of powerful Pacific storms is predicted to begin coming ashore this afternoon, bringing torrential rain to the valley, up to 10 feet of snow in the highest elevations, and winds that could produce hurricane-force gusts.
Snow will accumulate above 5,000 feet, but it's not the rain or snow that has local authorities making preparations. It is the potential for violent winds."

"... toppled trees and downed limbs, can knock down power lines and trigger outages. We anticipate there could be people without power for 24 to 36 hours," said Aldrich. "We want to stress for people to be prepared."

::Ahem::
I counted six days here ... No power.
Last Friday's storm brought wind gusts as high as 163 mph on the Sierra crest. Yikes.

I wasn't ready for this big of a storm or one that lasted so long. They said 2 days no lights. Okay, I can do two days. After five ... I sat nights burning candles with nothing left to read in the house. Not even a cereal box was left unread. I still can't tell you how my electronic appliances work (storm or not I staunchly refuse to read how to manuals), although I can say I need to change cereals. After reading the ingredients I need to go shopping. That is the sign of a real storm -- when you run out of reading material leaving time to ponder cereal and ideas of organizing cupboards. Then actually doing it. Eww. Poor me.

At least it's resumed being more of the normal type of storm system now and mostly light 30 mph wind gusts getting everything wet and muddier if that is even possible. My cottage floors are covered in the foot prints of the four-legged occupants. Sigh. Heaven help the cat that might be forced to use an indoor litter box. Oh no. Much better to brave the wet weather outdoors and race back in with muddy feet, slide past me (waiting with the towel), and instead deposit muddy feet on the newly washed bedspread. SIGH.

At this point ... I'd much prefer snow.

On the other hand, the ducks are happy.

=^..^=love, zU

: For the worried Godmommies out there: ChiChi and his girlfriend, Cathy, have relocated into my garden shed ... I discovered them there the next morning after the storm. Curled in a tin bread box on a shelf, the lid on the floor. My garden apron tucked inside where it had been dragged & placed to suit the builder. Noted: A container of black sunflower seed had also been pillaged. That's my boy!

Comments

[Tracy]

Dear ZuZu, I'm so glad that you weathered the winter storm and are safe and sound.

Sorry to hear about your door, but am relieved to discover ChiChi and his girlfriend are cozy and getting on well.

{{Hugs}}

[Donna]

Thanks for the visit to my blog!! MY WORD, I had no idea you were in such a mess! Try to stay safe. Last year, here in central Texas, our power was blown out just the same as yours. 5 days later we had power. The saving grace? We had a small honda generator! Come back soon!

[miss*R]

dear Zuzu.. thankyou for finding me! yes, I move often... but I am loving my new home so I think I will stay where I am for awhile

I turned 50! yes! and to celebrate there is a faery party going on.. I would love you to join but first you need to go here:
faery land invitation

and choose a faery name, then you will be given a key that takes you to a portal where you can enter faery land on the wings of a bird. hope to see you there!

[miss*R]

oops the link didn't work so here is the long link (just copy and paste) xoox

http://talesofinglewood.blogspot.com/2007/12/midsummer-and-invitation-to-faery-land.html

[kim]

so relieved that you and your sweet family weathered the storm and that chichi and his galpal are also safe and sound!!we have been having some awful storms here in ohio too, the wind is incredible and so forceful, i moved all the dogs beds to the middle of the floor and kept the cat in for a few days...mother nature is mad at something.....
love you~

kim

[tea]

We had the same storm here in Ontario. Thousands in some areas are only getting their hydro back now and some still waiting. Luckily here nothing was damaged but a house that was ready to be bricked where my husband works was totally knocked down! Strange weather for this time of year. Only awhile ago we had massive snow and now there`s none in sight.

tea
xo

[Rella]

Oh, dearest Pet.....I am so glad to hear you are o.k...and mortified that I did not know you were in harm's way. Bless the powers that be that kept you all safe...albeit without enough reading material. Glad you had enough candles and stayed warm.

Sending love
xo Rella

[naturegirl]

ZuZu I know of these winds we had
100+ km. winds here and so-o-o-o- much rain it washed away all our wonderful white blanket of snow!!
All my little fur friends that visit the garden stayed away in hiding as did your sweet Chichi!!How sweet that he has a ~~she friend~~
Goodness those ducks are having FuN!
Poor trees!! I do hope there is NOT too much damage at the cottage!!hugs NG

[Art Tea Life]

oh my ! you were one of the one's without POWER for all that time ! oh man. That must have made the storm much much harder to bear. Here we were happy as clams to have rain, but I can just imagine how I would have felt without POWER for days and days...oh gosh. That sounds really really sobering. Sorry to hear, tho I did get a chuckle over the ducks and the kitty dashes ( I did not laugh over the bedspread ! aaa ! ) and of course the warm update of Chi Chi !!!

SO VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOut YOuR DOOR !

That really stinks.

Love ,S.

oh and Ps- I do worry about the trees too. I bet that pecan tree was really really on your mind.

[Jana]

Holy Crap!!!!

Now THAT is a storm!

[Carrie West]

Oh I hope you felt safe!!~ I just wanted to thank you for leaving such a wonderful message on my blog! I really treasure the moment when you stop by!!!!!!~ give ChiChi a cuddle for my if you can!!!! Take care sweet Zu!!!!

[Melissa]

Hi Zu!
It is soooo nice to meet you. Thank you so much for the nice comment on my blog.
Your post really captures what you went through in that storm. I cannot believe it was only a couple of weeks ago. My husband, Fred and I were actually on a short vacation in San Diego Jan. 2-6th.
We watched the terrible storm on the news. We were lucky not to have gotten hit like they said San Diego would.
We spent the rainy Sat. at Ikea and had a ton of fun! We NEED an Ikea in CO!
It is a pleasure to meet you! I will be back often.
:) Melissa