Blizzards bring out survivor in all of us

It may take a blizzard every few years to keep man’s survival instincts intact.

It’s really amazing how today’s weather forecasting techniques can extend several days into the future and has the ability to predict within a few hours of when a specific weather event will occur or start.

Because of the high accuracy of weather forecasting, I was able to better prepare our home for the big blizzard that occurred here yesterday.

For the first time in several years, I actually had the time to take metal outdoor patio furniture inside to protect it from the ravages of winter weather.

I also took inside other outdoor recliners and loungers that were still on the dock at our pond.

I removed outdoor water hoses from the outdoor faucets and took the hoses inside, too, like you’re supposed to.

Since we have more big trees than Yosemite National Park, I had the time to finally mow a few acres of leaves that had fallen and piled up to make the yard look nice for winter.

And I was happy that I had already placed several small bales of hay around our dog’s house and pen.

I also found our snow shovels before we actually had to use them this year.

Yes, when the blizzard hit, I was content that I had done everything I could do to be prepared.

Just a couple of hours into the winter storm, however, I became depressed.

When the lights flickered and then all of the power went out in the house, I realized that I had forgotten something.

I had failed to bring in firewood for a fire in the fireplace, just in case there was a power outage and we had no heat.

Surviving in the wild like in the Jeremiah Johnson movie? I think I’m out of practice for that, but the blizzard was a rude reawakening. I’ll be ready next time.