Massive Winter Storm

Immense. Powerful. Massive. We are part of something impacting tens of millions of Americans -- a winter storm that is reaching from New Mexico to the New England area. Not any snow, but lots of sleet and freezing temperatures. While the storm is massive in size, we have not had any issues - the Texas grid is holding up (they did learn lessons from 2021)!

SATURDAY - Day 1

We had rain off and on all day Friday into the night, and then the temperatures dropped below freezing in the wee hours of Saturday morning. We woke up to a cold overcast day and sleet on the ground. We enjoyed a lazy day and prepared chili and vegetarian soup.

It didn't feel right to do nothing all day and on a Saturday night, so we invited ourselves over to the Jayroe's house for game night. They said "skate on over"! A few hours of Escape the Dark Castle and Code Names was just what everyone needed to break the monotony. 

The world was so still and quiet on the walk back home. Danielle said it felt like Narnia...lamppost and all!

Noche Mexicana

SUNDAY - Day 2

More sleet, a little bit of snow and even colder temperatures allowed everything to freeze solid overnight. Church was moved to an online, interactive, engaging service. We hunkered into our bunkers for another day. While it was colder, it was a brighter and cheerier! (Neat how the snow on the ground reflects the light so much making everything luminous.)

We didn't want to be bunkered in all day, so we invited ourselves back over to our friend's house for lunch, board games and football.

After escaping the dark castle, crushing Scattegories and watching a former The Colony high school football player help advance the Patriots to the Super Bowl, we all headed outside for our walk home.

MONDAY - Day 3

School has been cancelled (just like last year, despite the lack of snowman-making snow) and my office is closed, though we are required to work from home. I'll try to focus while Jeff and Danielle enjoy their chill day (pun intended...). Limited sun and not enough warmth to melt everything until Tuesday...

The sun came out, so the frozen block of ice is starting to melt back into slushy sleet -- now capable of making mini snowmen!

TUESDAY - Day 4

Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our students and staff, all LISD campuses and facilities will continue to be closed Tuesday, Jan. 27.

While it is not typical to make determinations this early, guidance from the National Weather Service and Denton County Emergency Operations indicates the amount of freezing precipitation our area has received and the prolonged periods of below freezing temperatures are too significant to fully melt until temperatures rise above freezing.

 

Trixie managed to keep her blanket on all the way outside!

WEDNESDAY - Day 5

Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our students and staff, all LISD campuses and facilities will continue to be closed Wednesday, Jan. 28. 

This decision came after consultation with our Safety & Security and district Facilities teams, and in coordination with surrounding school districts, as well as emergency response agencies and local officials. While many major roads are beginning to clear, our district spans more than 127 square miles and several of our suburban and rural neighborhoods remain inaccessible. In addition, our staff and families live throughout the DFW region, where road conditions vary widely and many areas are still experiencing significant icing and limited mobility.

Side note: While we endure cold temperatures, it is nothing compared to what is currently happening in Minneapolis, MN. A second American citizen was unnecessarily shot and killed by federal ICE agents. I can't even...this has got to stop. "Officers appear to discover and remove the firearm after Pretti is pinned facedown to the ground, and 10 shots are fired soon after." Video shows an agent shoves Pretti to the ground while Pretti is faced the other direction. Zero threat.

Also, thankful to be part of the United Methodist Church:

The United Methodist Church deplores the use of violence, fear, separation, and intimidation as a means of creating social order. Such means do not build beloved community. We reaffirm our longstanding commitment to the sacred worth of every person and to the way of peace taught and embodied by Jesus. We stand against the separation of children from their families. We detest the inhumane, evil actions that are perpetuated by governmental authorities.