I Wonder as I Wander

I wonder as I wander around my house, just how much longer will this confinement be!?  Rather than cabin fever we're experiencing shotgun fever...  Southern Louisiana is experiencing a winter storm.  All of the bridges and roads are closed due to a layer of ice coating the roadways.  All schools and nearly all businesses have been closed since Tuesday, and Mayor Landrieu is still asking that everyone stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.  All is relative when it comes to the severeness of weather.  The northern states are experiencing negative temperatures and several feet deep snow drifts, and southern Louisiana has a layer of ice on the roads, cars, and steps of the houses, yet people in both regions of the country react with the same amount of caution.  It has been an interesting experience indeed.  Give us southerners over 100 mph winds and a good solid storm and we're right at home- we know what to do.  But throw some cold temps our way and a bit of snow and ice, and we're lost!

A few tidbits that may prove interesting to you: the homes down south are mostly elevated at least a few feet, thus exposing the pipes of the homes to the elements.  Pipe bursting is a concern in cold temperatures any where, but here there is next to no protection for them.  Insulation is also a rarity in these homes, so the cold seeps its way through walls and floors much easier.  Many of the old southern homes were designed to keep the house cool in the hot weather... well let me tell you it doesn't work the other way around. 

On a lighter note, the New Orleans city officials have been doing a great job keeping things moving and keeping our residents safe.  Believe it or not, come Friday and Saturday we'll be basking in 70 degree weather!!  Spring will be here soon enough, and this will all be a fond memory.
In the meantime, we southerners get to cozy up in our homes and await the thaw that may or may not come tomorrow :)  We shall see.