Really Cold Weather Hits The South Hard!

Watching the local news tonight really made it hit home that our winters are getting weird.  We don't usually have the wind chill warnings that we have had or the ones for the next couple of days.  Although we in the Tennessee Valley area (which embraces not just Tennessee but also Alabama...it's HUGE) are not going to be hit quite as hard as other areas, it's still worse than we are used to enduring.  Schools have been cancelled or delayed due to the wind chill that's expected to hit us.  Those of us living at higher elevations are even told we will more than likely get some sleet.  That's very dangerous for an area that doesn't have snow or ice supplies and equipment since it's so rare here.

I watched the areas that are being affected and it goes right down into Florida.  When 70 degree weather can cause people there to don winter clothes and coats, the weather they are being hit with is REALLY tough on them.

I worry about Chewlee, of course.  She takes the bus and has to be down at the end of her long driveway to get it so the wind chill is awful for those kids that take the bus.  If school isn't cancelled, even a delay doesn't mean the wind chill will be any better.  It could even be worse than expected.  I do know she has some good, warm winter things she can wear including a scarf that can help cover her face so only her eyes and forehead will be exposed.  I guess I shouldn't worry as much as I do for her since I know this but I'm a mother/grandmother/great-grandmother.  It's my nature.

I guess my greatest concern with all this extremely cold weather is the shortage of propane.  Even the Beast couldn't refill our big tanks because it wasn't for use to heat our house.  Actually, we used to use it to take the chill out of the house.  It's piped into our propane fireplace in the living room.  Now we are forced to use the baseboard heaters plus a bunch of space heaters.  That brings up our electric bill a hell of a lot!  We haven't had weather this cold all winter but our bill has already just about doubled what it was last year.  We know a couple people on very tight budgets that are going to be in trouble.  The news said that the bill pay help is almost out of money for those people that need it the most.  Scary times ahead for them.  Eat or pay the electric bill.  Hmm!  Wonder what they will choose?

Now that you know what OUR weather will be like for the next few days, I guess I can close this missive.  Love you all and please, please be careful if you have to be outside or drive.   The weather out west is just AWFUL and the wind chill is double digit negative!  They said Montana and adjoining states are looking at a possible negative 50 degree wind chill!!!  Can you believe it???

Anyway, be careful.  Stay warm.  Watch out for older neighbors that you know and check on them if you can.  Treat everyone like you would hope they would treat you.  It's a rough, rough winter we are all enduring.  ***Hugs***