The waiting is wearing me down

The "crippling blizzard" which is forecast for coastal Maine hasn't shown itself yet. It's not due until this evening, in fact, or maybe late this afternoon, and will play itself out tomorrow afternoon.

If it arrives at all, that is.

I've seen too many major storms forecast for Maine, only to learn the storm has gone out to sea before reaching us. I know I should be thankful for that, but we do need a good snowstorm, and I love the beauty of fresh, deep snow on the landscape. A chance to do some snowshoeing and cross-country skiing wouldn't hurt, either.

I remember several years ago a storm such as this approaching one was predicted for Maine. I had visions of being able to leave our house only by crawling out second-story windows. The storm, however, proved to be a puny little thing. We could still use our normal routes of exiting the house!

So we'll see what happens. Meanwhile, we're getting a smaller snowstorm, unrelated to the big one, this morning. Several inches have fallen and the snow continues to come down steadily. A 19-car pile up has closed Interstate 295 near Falmouth, so this "little" storm isn't to be taken lightly at all.

My nerves are slightly frayed. The blizzard has been forecast since Monday, each updated forecast being a smidge more hysterical that the one before it.

Ken spent much of yesterday gassing up the tractor, snowblower, and generator. I got up at 5:00 this morning, because I never can sleep late if a storm is approaching. I decided I'd better do a load of dishes in the dishwasher, wash two loads of clothes, and make a beef barley soup. So those tasks are done. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get out the vacuum cleaner next....

I was supposed to go to Boston with a couple of friends today. That trip had to be cancelled, of course. The annual Valentine's party that my sorority  throws for the residents of a local nursing home, scheduled for tomorrow, has been cancelled as well. I'm disappointed by that, since the seniors enjoy the party and the killer Bingo games we play, games which result (due to, shall I say it? a little cheating on our parts) in every senior receiving two, sometimes three prizes. Also, yesterday I baked the shortbread Valentine cookies for the party.

The entirety of coastal and somewhat-inland Maine has been cancelled for today: schools are shut, meetings are called off, even businesses are closed.

We'll see what the world looks like tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, I have my knitting.