It is in the 50s, and the snow is almost gone. Today’s tour of the neighborhood will be a mixture of some sad things and some to make you smile. We will take the bus even though it is a short ride.
Of course, we need to take food, but since most food stores have minimal supply, we will be forced to make do with what we could find. For an appetizer, we have some Cheetos that are only a day past expiration. The main course will be a choice of hot dogs and beans served on whole-wheat toast with canned green beans or scrambled powdered eggs and spam served with canned peas. For dessert, we have a choice of an orange popsicle or Hostess Ho ho’s. We still have plenty of top-shelf liquor, and our wine today is Carlo Rossi red or Franzia chablis.
Today’s entertainment is Buck Owens.
Jump on the bus, and off we go.
The first stop is not too far from home. The mountain laurel in our backyard took a hit.
The ice was in the trees yesterday morning with a wake-up temperature of 21 degrees F. ( -6.1 C)
Ice on the bushes. Then the temps went to 57 degrees F (13.8C)
Looks like someone had a hard time stopping before hitting the stop sign. The road was covered in ice.
A bunch of broken juniper limbs.
A snowman still left.
In honor of Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras.
Here’s the mountain laurel all trimmed. The Producer put a tag on its toe, but I got a stay of execution until after the sprig bloom to see what it does.
Palm trees took a big hit.
The deer love the sunshine.
An oak with broken limbs and glare in the photo.
A succulent broken into two pieces. It looks like the weather is going to get better from here and out further.
The tour is finished. Stay and have some more food and drink. Listen to Buck. Enjoy all you Buckaroos. Have a great week.
Fiction Favorites 
Def hard on the palm trees 🌴 & trees in general. Too freezing 🥶
Now imagine the weather like this for 4 months lol 😂 or colder…. this is how I live 😭😭😭😭
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, but you have strong trees and well-insulated houses. Still, I would die there. Today it’s going to be a high of 20.5 C. More my kind of weather. Stay warm, VR. 🥶
LikeLiked by 1 person
20??!! Almost summer haha 😛 2 months to go – & we’ll be “there” too 😂😂
LikeLike
What a shock for Texas, eh? I know it’ll be a long to spruce and repair everywhere – but I know you’ll be Texas Strong! I’ll bet, once the initial shock is over, your laurel will bounce back too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think all will be well, GP. We have survived hurricanes and now a polar vortex. We’ll get through it. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know you will.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was some fast melting! Country music sure has changed since the Buck Owens days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right? This was a look back for sure. 😁
LikeLike
Melting snow is surely a sign that Spring is on its way. Texas so deserves its arrival. We’ve still got mounds of snow everywhere, but the forecast is of sunny days ahead. YAY! Loved your jaunt around the neighborhood and the Buck Owens finish. 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Gwen. Ole Buck is a throwback to a simpler time. Have a super Sunday. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate to see the palms damaged. I’m happy your temperatures are moving in the right direction. It won’t be long until everyone is complaining about the heat. Wishing you all a peaceful Sunday, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is true. I hope all the generating equipment is back before the summer heat. 😁
LikeLike
Ice storms do bring beauty, but at a great expense. Will improved temps, I hope services can be restored to everyone. Meanwhile, Buck Owens is a reminder that Country & Western then is much different than Country music today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the music then was a simple reflection of life just as today’s is a complex reflection.
LikeLike
As you know, nature comes back with care. In a couple of months, I’m betting that damage will be a memory. Thanks for the tour, John. I’m guessing you have a water purifier. I know I do. All the best. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we do have a purifier. Thanks, Suzanne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad that temps are rising once again, John. Know my parents are relieved to see the Mercury heading up. Heartbreaking to see the palms. Take care!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The palms took a real hit. They will come back though. I remember ours on the coast had the same problem. 😁
LikeLike
The devastation is startling, especially those palm trees. Thanks for the Cheetos and hot dogs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahaha. Thank you for coming, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wouldn’t have missed the bus trip around the neighborhood for anything. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jennie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad we’re all on the thaw. Yesterday, I got out of the house for the first time in eight days. I’m not will about winter weather and even less fond of it after this disaster. Remind me I said that when we reach triple-digit temps this summer!
Sad to see the palm trees, and I hope your mountain laurel makes it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Joan. I hope it makes it too. This 73 degree temp sure feels good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is some serious damage. But I did let out a loud laugh with the Mardi Gras snowman. Sense of humour amidst the carnage is good.
Love the stay of execution, as well 🙂
I had to crack up at the snack being served, as well. Hard times and all that 😉 But loved me the Buck Owens.
Stay safe and glad to hear the temps are rising!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wasn’t that snow man cute. I went by it today and it is a bunch of beads in a puddle. Yes we are up to 73 degrees now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Completely adorable.
73…. sheesh. Nuts
LikeLike
How fragile the tropic plants are, my dear John! I’m sorry to see the laurel cut. Nevertheless, you might dry the leaves. 😁😁😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes the poor laurel. We don’t know its future now but we will wait and see.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Plant life definitely took a hit there. The ice buildup is a branch’s worst nightmare. Hope you guys recover quickly down there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is. Thanks, Charles.
LikeLike
I’ve been thinking about you and some of my other Texan blogging friends. The news is full of terrible images and tragedies. Take care, John. I hope that the temps continue to rise and everyone gets their power and water turned on soon. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are doing great, Diana. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Someone should have told those snowmen NOT to open the Ark of the Covenant. Finally, a menu my kids will eat . . . well, the cheeto’s and hotdogs, anyways. I’ll settle for the liquor. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Marc. Glad we got something for them
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad to see the damaged trees and cacti. Glad to hear it is warmer now. Thanks for Buck Owens. I remember him from Hee Haw!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes Buck is an oldie but goodie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This outbreak of winter produced such contrasts: wonderful pictures of ice and snow on the one hand, but immense destruction on the other hand. Thanks for your pictures.
Enjoy a warmer Sunday,
Pit
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Pit.
LikeLike
It’s always the trees that take the big hit. Luckily they do recover. I used to go out and de-ice our Christmas camellia trees because they were so slow to recover and I hated to lose them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t blame you. We contemplated trying to de-ice our olive tree but gave up the idea. It is fine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
All those poor trees and bushes! The palm trees are especially so sad to see. I hope they recover. Can palm trees stand up to weather like that?
I’m glad the worst is behind you, John.
Loved the photo of the deer sunning themselves 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
The palms will comeback. They will need to be trimmed to get rid of the dead leaves. Thanks, Mae.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So good to hear about the palms, John. I was worried.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They usually can sustain some pretty brutal weather. In a hurricane they are usually the only trees left standing.
LikeLike
The tour must go on! Thanks for sharing what you had! Cheetos pair well with chablis. Glad the snow is melting. Yes, if we can survive hurricanes, heat and droughts, we can survive an arctic vortex. Cute snow people. The many palms around here are sad too. Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jo. Glad you could ride along. Sorry about the food.
LikeLike
Those poor palm trees. So glad the temps are rising, John, and an orange popsicle actually sounds refreshing. ☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well is has been thawed and refrozen so maybe not. Thanks, Lauren.,
LikeLike
I’ll bet by today most of your snow, etc., will be gone. Tomorrow, at least. Here, we’re totally thawed. Water pressure’s back, and boil notices are being lifted. We still have one, but I’m sure it’s because of the backup at the state lab. Galveston just had theirs lifted.
You might get a kick out of some of the images of Austin I snagged. Some, including the Bingo card and the Austin snow removal machine, came from someone using the online name “Evil MoPac.” How great is that?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The photos were terrific, Linda. I didn’t know you had another site. I just followed over there too. We have 69 degrees which is more normal. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, my. 69F sounds like heaven! We’re around 60, which is just fine, even without sunshine.
LikeLike
Now up to 73. Heaven
LikeLike
And now comes the cleanup and hopefully a return to more agreeable weather.
Could you pass the Cheetos?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha. Thanks, Marc.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those poor trees! Hopefully, Texas doesn’t go through something like this again {{hugs}}
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jacquie. We hope so too. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s sad to see so much damage, John. It’s hard to believe you’re in the same state as you were when you lived on the beach. Do you know whether the storm got that far south?
LikeLiked by 1 person
They had some low temps and power outages. No snow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Golly, Nature can be really hard on plants and trees, can’t it, John? I’m sorry you had to go through all this, but I heard on TV that Texas typically gets a harsh winter every eight or so years. I guess I wasn’t there long enough to experience it, thank heaven.Can’t say as I’m enamored of your menu today, but I hope the store shelves are soon stocked full!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have been here in Texas for 21 years and never saw anything like this. Thank you, Debbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad it’s warming up for you, John! It’s so sad about the trees but hopefully they’ll bounce back with a little TLC. And thanks for the orange popsicle … my favorite 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marie. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great photos, John. I’ll pass on the food today and go straight to the liquor.:) Love Buck Owens!! Great choice!
LikeLike
Wild! I hope everybody has thawed out and can get the old parts moving in synch again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we are there. It was 73 degrees today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I cringe thinking of palm trees in that cold. Nice to see the deer enjoying the sun. Glad your laurel is getting a chance. Fingers crossed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we will see about the laurel. It looks pretty sad right now. Thanks, Denise.
LikeLike
I will bring my own food, thanks. Sorry, but your menu doesn’t seem to agree with my digestive system, so I will bring a piece of wheat bread with honey peanut butter, and a few slices of cheese. I nearly cried when I saw the palm trees … I hope they recover. I’m glad your snow has mostly melted … we still have a good 8″ on the ground, the top 2″ of which are now ice, thanks to the melting/refreezing process, and I nearly broke some bones yesterday just trying to salt the walkway. That said, I enjoyed the view around the neighborhood and hope to see crocuses popping out in the next week or two. I’m so jealous of your 50+ temps!!! Keep safe and warm, dear friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jill. Yesterday was in the 70s, so I think we are good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
70s??? Did you say yesterday was in the 70s? I was pleased as punch because it got all the way up to 23° here!!! Tomorrow, though, is supposed to get to … I think 34° — a regular heat wave!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s what Ohio gets ya. At least your pipes don’t burst. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope the palms and succulents are hardy enough to come back strong. I loved, loved, loved that Mardi Gras Snowwoman/man!! That was pretty great.
I am happy to know you and the family came through it pretty well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we are very fortunate for sure. Having lived up North we knew what to do to keep the place from freezing. I’m not sure about the irrigation system but that is for another day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those poor trees and bushes. Hope your laurel rises from the ashes this spring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do too, Teri. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t get over the deer just sitting in the yard. I hope the worst is over.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those deer were fine in the cold. Amazing creatures. I think the worst is over. Thanks, Traci.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi John, I’m glad your weather and temperatures are improving. Do you think those palm trees will rebound? Take care.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think they will. When we had a freeze at the coast they came back.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s good and judging by your more recent pictures, looks like the green has returned!
LikeLiked by 1 person