Awaiting the Storm

 Where I live in Central Indiana, USA, hasn't had much precipitation this winter of any kind.  According to the weatherman on my favorite tv channel, we are 16 inches under the norm, so far.  It appears that we are going to be putting a big dent in that deficiency this week.

Perhaps I should preface my comments by saying that my ability to drive is just about the only independence I have left.  Ice/Snow mess that up, so I have learned to compensate during the winter by watching the weather forecasts and getting my immediate needs taken care of before the other shoppers empty the store shelves.  In other words, I find ways to "shelter in place" for a few days when weather threatens. 

I also should mention that I live right in what is called the "I-70 Corridor".  It's a weather line that often follows the path of I-70 through the state.  My house is probably 1 1/2 miles north of I-70 in Plainfield, which often leaves us with the admonition that we are on the dividing line between rain and frozen hell.  We'll see, won't we? 

We are expecting a "high impact" winter storm for the rest of the week: rain, changing to freezing rain (ice), changing to lots of snow for Wednesday night and all day Thursday, then unseasonable cold for a couple of days, which means nothing's going to melt for awhile.  Am I ready?  I think so!

My pantry and freezer are full.  I have stocked up on my vices, which should keep me through the storm.  I have told people who rely on me for transportation that I won't be driving anywhere for a few days.  My gas tank is full.  My oil lamps are full of lamp oil, and (I think) my big flashlight lantern still works.  I have arranged for snow removal for me and my neighbor.  Everything is set...right?  I hope, with that kind of preparedness, the storm will just be a gully-washer rain storm, but the likelihood of that, based on the confidence of NWS forecasts, is slim to none.

What I DON'T have is a battery-operated radio or a mobile charger for my cell phone.  Worse yet, I don't have an alternate source of heat in case the power goes out.  (I will not be buying a kerosene heater.  So many people die every year from carbon monoxide or fires caused by those things.  If the power goes out and the going gets tough, I'll vacate to...somewhere!  With help, of course.)   Please pray to the Power Gods to keep "us" electrified through the storm!