White Doom

We've been hearing about the mega storm for a couple days now, thanks to an overactive media.  Twelve to fifteen inches of blizzard-blown snow expected for my area.

The moment I got out of work, I bolted for the shopping area.  Picked up some prescriptions from the pharmacy, then headed for the store.  It was CROWDED--and not even 3:00 yet!  The milk was completely gone.  Got a few things I needed, then stopped at the gas station.  Maybe they'd have milk?  They had exactly two gallons left, and I grabbed them.  Sheesh!

At 3:40, I got a robo-call from the school district.  Due to the impending storm, all school events were canceled for this evening, and all schools were closed for tomorrow.

!!

I've been working at Wherever Schools for sixteen years now, and never in that time have they closed school the afternoon before.  Very late evening and night, yes.  Afternoon?  Never, ever.

It's now 7:15.  The boys are fed, the larder is stocked, and the snow is just starting to come down.  Hard, stinging pellets.  Already buildings across the street are half-hidden in the dark and snow.  The wind is building.

Gonna be a big one.

SCII

THE SHADOW CONSPIRACY II is out!  More steampunk from Book View Cafe!  This is hugely cool.

Here's the blurb, and a link to a free story:

The soul of the poet who would be king still seeks immortality — but will it find a home? And will that home be flesh or steel?  Edited by Phyllis Irene Radford and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff, this new volume is filled with original tales of adventure and intrigue in the age of steam from minds and hearts of the award-winning and bestselling authors at Book View Café.

Get a free preview today.   “Nuthin’ But a Man,” by Philip K. Dick award winner CL Anderson is a new take on the original steampunk hero — the steel-driving man, John Henry.
 

Braving the Strom

A few minutes ago, I bundled up and went tromping around in the Great January Blizzard of '11.  The snow rushed sideways, darting around the houses.  My footprints vanished moments after I made them.  The wind flung a steady stream of snow into my face and stung my eyes.  Trees appeared and disappeared in the near distance like monsters in a howling mist.  I shouted, but the wind shredded the sounds.

It was a relief to stomp back into the house.