This second storm of the winter left behind 18 to 24 inches and drifts that were much larger.

Even though the calendar says it’s now officially spring, one look outside says otherwise. The last time I wrote back in November, we had just finished our first blizzard of the 2008-09 winter season.

While we’ve had lots of cold winter weather with some glimmers of nice weather in between, we experienced our second blizzard last week leaving 18 to 24 inches of snow behind and three snow days home from school and work. Then our third blizzard struck earlier this week when 12 or so more inches fell, resulting in two more snow days stuck at home waiting for the weather to quiet and the plow to come.

After both recent storms the plow left only a single-lane swath cleared down our nearly three-mile stretch of gravel for the first 24 hours or so. That made for a harrowing couple of trips to town. I hoped and prayed I didn’t meet any oncoming vehicles as there aren’t very many driveways or side roads on which to pull over. The school bus didn’t want to have such an adventure on our road; we had to meet the bus at the highway or take the girls to school both days immediately following all three blizzards this winter.

Now we’re facing another winter storm warning for tonight and tomorrow. I stocked up on milk and diapers yesterday, so I guess we’re ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at us. At least this time of year we know it won’t be around for too long … if it would just stop coming!