Well, it's been a month since my brain has thought about anything but Christmas related events. I don't know if I remember how to do a blog without pictures of trees, ornaments or holiday food!Everything begins to slow down after Christmas and coincidentally, the weather usually is the new favorite topic. They are predicting ice tomorrow and if that happens, life comes to a standstill here in the Ozarks. We have hills and mountains and a lot of curves,
"Meet-Yourself-Coming-Around-The-Corner-Curvy!"
The country roads are two lane and even on a rainy day you'd best not try to take a curve over 20 unless you want to see what's at the bottom of the ravine!
My road snakes and curls as it leaves Highway 12 and goes along the lake. Sometimes when my phone rings or I try to put makeup on as I drive, please don't lecture me...I know you do it too...my tire falls off the pavement. Ker~chunk, a wake up call to not take my eyes off the road for a second. But when the weather turns bad, I can't go. My driveway is straight up a hillside, or when I come home...straight down the hill. Either way it's not good if it's slippery.
I made the mistake last winter of staying in town just a little too long. I was stocking up for the storm. That's an Ozark thing. We drive like madmen to the grocery store when the weatherman is predicting snow, buy the necessities of life...toilet paper, milk, bread, chip and dip, coffee, chocolate, brownies and soup. Anyway, as I left the store the little icy pellets started hitting the car. By the time I was headed out of town the roads were getting very slippery. I was crawling like a turtle as I turned off the main highway and inched my way along Old Prairie Creek Road. My tires spun on the ice and I had to put one wheel over on the bare ground to get traction going up the mountain. The hardest part was ahead of me, going DOWN my driveway. As soon as I turned the wheels I knew it was a mistake. I slid sideways and tried my best not to panic, straightened my wheels and barely let off the brake until finally I eased into the garage.
Praying and driving come easy to me, I do it a lot but this particular day I was sweating bullets while I prayed! ha ha Since then I have vowed to never make a trip to the grocery store in bad weather UNLESS it's a dire emergency, like if I was out of chocolate....
LOL!! Yes out of chocolate would definitely be a necessary drive in the snow and ice. Your post reminded me of my Mom. She lived in Wichita, KS and Anderson, MO for years before she and my Dad moved to Texas. I have lived in Tx all of my life, but everytime the weatherman predicted ice or snow...she would hop in the car everytime and run to the store to stock up on "necessities" lol Love this post, you made my heart smile. Be safe and warm!!
ReplyDeleteHugs ♥ Teresa
Ohhhhhh Girl!!
ReplyDeleteBeen there ....done that!!
Are you sure we're not neighbors??
Enjoy....LindaMay
Oh Joycee! I love love love the Ozarks but sounds too much like Pennsylvania in the winter. My extended family is in PA. If I go there in the winter and drive those curly icy roads I have nightmares for weeks. Serious nightmares. I don't feel all that scared WHILE I'm driving, but deep in my head I must be terrified to have such scary dreams. YOU go get chocolate, I'll keep the fire going till you get back. shiver.
ReplyDeleteLOL hon...out of chocolate!! We live in N. Idaho where the winters can get wicked too. For several years we lived up in the mountains..back in the deep woods..I totally understand what you are saying. Logging roads get very scary with snow! But chocolate..yup had to go out for chocolate.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately..we live in town now and chocolate is just a two block walk away with my Yak Tracs:)
Happy New Year hon..so glad to have met you this last year!! I look forward to more of your fun this! Namaste, Sarah
I live in South Texas! No real worries in winter. We stock up when a hurricane is headed our way!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Lorilee
I live in the Sierra foothills just south of the southern entrance to Yosemite . . . and we do the same thing! As soon as there's a real threat of snow, it's off to the market to stock up. And because the roads here are snakey and slippery, we've been known to experience your slide down your driveway as well. Unfortunately ours happens on a road shared by some 300 neighbors--so it can get a little hairy.
ReplyDeleteAm enjoying your blog as a friend of mine has just moved to Arkansas.
Happy new year!
I so remember driving those hills on our way to Louisana many a time.. Not real fond of them on dry pavement let alone wet.. girl.. you were certainly on a mission..lol.. Thank you for swinging by to say hello. Pop in any 'ole time.. hugs ~lynne~
ReplyDeleteSofunny.....unless it's you. How smart of you to use the ditch for traction. We have ice storms here is OK too; more often now, and I'd rather be in a tornado than an ice storm. No kidding.
ReplyDeleteTHAT DOES SOUND SCARY..ISN'T IT FUNNY HOW OUR PRAYERS COME SO FREELY WHEN WE ARE AFRAID?! HERE, WE JUST LOOK UP AT THE MOUNTAIN, IF IT LOOKS BAD AT ALL, WE DON'T GO! BUT IT STILL HASN'T SNOWED ON US, ALL AROUND US, YES BUT NOT HERE!!! Come say hi :D
ReplyDeleteThat makes me nervous just reading it! I DO NOT like driving on ice...well maybe I should say I WILL NOT drive on ice....Hope you have stocked up for tomorrow!!! I am making LoneStar Caviar today (day late but maybe it will still work) Thanks for the recipe...
ReplyDeleteStay Warm
Nanny
Lol, it sounds like you have your priorities in order for sure. I am so glad you made it safely. Had me on the edge of my seat. Thankfully it is a bit easier going here as far as the roads go we just have to be careful of all the drivers that don't have a clue how to drive on ice or snow.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
I don't blame you one bit - out of chocolate - horrors. I need chocolate too! Come rain, snow, or dark of night!
ReplyDeleteSandie
Oh my Joycee, you've to be much careful these days especially day like this! Take care.
ReplyDelete