Calm before the Storm

My phone tells me that today's storm will begin at 10 a.m.

Bill said he saw signs on I-90 last night, warning of a winter storm with heavy snow.   

He drove into Spokane to see the Lady ZAGS pull off yet another decisive WCC victory over St. Mary's.  

In the meantime, I stayed home, tending to storm prep followed by ZAG watching. The men also pulled off a decisive victory in San Diego. 

Today, we're hoping that everything is as ready as it can be for the winter storm set to drop anywhere from 8-30 inches of snow. Snow will be followed by cold, some extreme and below zero by early in the week. 

So, yesterday served as a calm and beautiful day to attend to such things as digging a trench under the barn door so I can still close it when the temperature dips and ground heaves.

Not a good thing to have the barn door wide open during the coldest days of the year. 

Yesterday I also wrapped one of our indoor stall waterers with an old horse blanket with hopes that it doesn't freeze up.  It has a glitch which only shows up during cold weather. 

I also prayed, and my prayers were answered this morning when I opened the barn door and saw that CB had not grabbed ahold of the blanket and pulled it into his stall. 

Busy teeth on curious horses often find new toys. He was nice enough to leave the blanket alone. 

Part of my prep for the storm involved going to town to get another bed for Miss Kiwi.  

Since she stays in the garage (incontenance), I want her as comfortable as possible during the frigid weather. 

I'm also a bit concerned about ice-licking Liam.  He needs no balls to fetch or wood to chew on when there is ice to lick. 

It's his winter sport, also one that Bill doesn't always like. 

You see Liam IS a focused dog.  Whenever he tackles a new project, he gives it his all. 

And, when there's a new spot to lick (and dig) a hole in the ice, Liam doesn't like to stop mid-job.  

Bill doesn't like Liam's ice-lickng when it's night and, in Bill's mind, Liam's assigned job is simply to DO HIS JOB.

So, some trips outside take much longer during ice-licking season. 

I'm thinking we need to market Liam, the ice licker.  Could be some local ice anglers might want to take him along to open holes for their fishing. 

In the meantime, I do have concerns.  I have watched the Christmas Story a time or two when Ralfie gets his tongue stuck licking the flag pole. 

Will there be a day next week when one of us goes outside, calls Liam and he does not come?

And, will we search for him and finally find him, will we see exactly why he did not come as he tries to release his tongue from the really cold ice?

I don't know if this stuff does happen, but I do worry. 

Lots to worry about when the big storms come, but it's nice to know that everything that needs to be in place is in place.  There will be enough to contend with, plowing snow and just plain keeping warm. 

For now, in these hours before the storm, it is calm.  It's beautiful.  Yesterday was gorgeous. 

Last night was truly glorious with the full moon casting a blue radiance over the evening landscape. No need for flashlights and actually downright lovely being outside when I took the dogs for their walk. 

No doubt when we get far enough into this spell of winter weather, we'll be suffering the usual cabin fever. 

And, so this morning, I indulge myself and anyone else who wishes to listen to a four-minute You Tube escape filled with a beautiful voice, rainbows, dreams and pretty scenes. 

Enjoy. Happy Friday, and to all who will be enduring the weather ahead, stay warm.