By: Todd Wheatley

On sunday Feburary 14th light snow flurries persisted most of the day to deliver a total of 6" of very fine DRY SNOW. The air temperatures continued dropped into the single digits and bottoming out at 0F. Wind chills were well below zero and delivered the coldest weather in nearly forty years. The winter of 1983 brought several inches of ICE followed by a month of very cold temperatures. The DRY SNOW made driving conditions so much better.

Ultimately a week and a half of projected freezing weather and DRY SNOW versus (1983) a month of single digits and many inches of ICE makes this winter much more managable. Power outages notwithstanding. Our house was fortunate to escape both the rolling one hour power outages and the longer outages felt in some areas. As a result we were able provide refuge for the oldest step-daughter and grandson. While we bought extra food in anticipation of being "snow bound" we didn't plan for company. Thankfully the food is stretching since stores and fastfood places are closed due to power shortage.

Even if the outages would have hit here we were in a good position to get by. This house is nearly 10 years older than our previous home so we have a "wood burning" fireplace instead of the "for looks only" gas fireplace that we never used once (in seven years). Unfortunately our current fireplace was designed with a "for looks only" approach. Consequently all the heat goes up the chimney! When you add the danger of chimney fires having a fire "for looks only" is pointless and expensive. Sadly the fireplace has lost its charm and usefulness. Although we still have a couple of cords of wood for some "chilly" nights.

Furthermore as a veteran cost cutter, former boy scout, and doomsday prepper, my wife and I would be cozy in most circumstances. We chose not to burn a fire and allow the figid cold to come down the chimney as the fire died out. Then, of course, came the issue of wood supply ... TEXAS ICE brings trees down. While SNOW keeps wood on the tree and going up the chimney at the same time.

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(addendum 02-21-21) The winter storm brought Texas into national news given the statewide problem of power outages and freezing temps all the way to the coast. Frozen water pipes and a crippled water distribution system are the issue now.

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