Winter

Winters here are tough. That's to be expected.  But some winters are more than the usual tough. Enter 2013-14.   Last winter was tough, in that it was LOOOONNNNGGGG.... we had snow-fall until May.  This winter is tough because it is cold.  Lake Superior is nearly frozen over, we had 75 consecutive days below freezing (much of them below zero!) and we had lots of snow early in the season which hasn't had a chance to GO AWAY because its been so cold.  Of course, the snow has decreased since the lake froze over - no more "lake effect" snow, so those numbers have tapered, and we're currently at about 265" for the season.  We've got a whole lot of 'season' left, though.  Currently, we're in the midst of a blizzard, with gusts of wind up to 55 mph, and about 8" of new snow, making visibility pretty rotten. This will be followed by yet another polar vortex, where in the high temperature next week is expected to be around -2 or so.  The frost level is going to 85" below the ground, and many communities, Chassell included, are on mandatory "let the water run" orders, because pipes are breaking in record numbers.  A local community declared a state of emergency because its water main is freezing.  My husband is about maxed out with snow removal, because after awhile, where do you PUT the stuff?  I have gotten stuck in our drive way more times than I care to admit,  and yesterday did my own personal "triple lutz" in the middle of the highway on the way to work.  Driving a sedan in the heart of snow country is risky business. 

I have a feeling the kids will be going to school til July, because they've missed so many days this winter.  Rob and I both have been sleeping in red union suits at night. 

It takes a truck-load of sisu to live here in the Copper Country, that's for sure.  Character building weather, that's what we've got.  You're either as tough as what the skies throw at you, or you crumple and move.  Right now, we're on the brink of the "crumple and move" stage, but... we'll make it.  We always do.  And then, we'll do what we do best; scoff at the rest of the country who think that their winter is bad.   And drink more wine.  

You can't beat us winter.  You can try, but you won't win.  We're tougher than you.