AS I WRITE this Tuesday afternoon, a sense of foreboding looms. Grey, with a tinge of otherworldly light, defines the sky. Branches of bare trees lean. Unbalanced. Darkness encroaches, presses upon the earth with an anticipatory heaviness. By the time you read this, my area of southern Minnesota will be under siege with a full-blown blizzard. Unless the weather forecasters are wrong.
But this time the forecast of up to eight inches of snow with wind gusts topping 55 mph seems likely. I’ve already asked Randy to stay home from work because driving 24 miles in white-out conditions would not be smart. Or safe. The National Weather Service warns of treacherous travel, potentially life-threatening conditions. Power lines and trees laden with heavy wet snow could snap.
The weather rather matches my mood. I feel a sense of foreboding on so many levels. I struggle sometimes to see the light for the grey skies, for the oppressiveness that prevails. I wonder what will happen next. What storm is brewing?
During a weather event, I can prepare. Take precautions. Buy bread and milk (note I didn’t write, “buy eggs”). Stay home. Shelter in place. Face whatever comes. I’ve lived through blizzards, wind storms and even a tornado. I am a hardy American who happens to live in Minnesota, next to our wonderful Canadian neighbors.
And so that is the approach I must take. Stand strong against the negative forces. Speak up. Continue to show compassion, care, kindness, love. Hold hope. Understand that blizzards don’t last forever, although this one seems never-ending.
Every single snowplow matters in removing burdensome snow from roadways. Imagine what a fleet of snowplows can do against the deepest snow drifted by raging winds. I’ve seen the results. Roads are cleared. The snow melts. The sun shines. Winter ends. The trees bud green. That is my visual hope during these grey days tinged with an otherworldly light.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
stay safe, do what you can, each person’s action matters, get through it, and as hard as it is to believe it in the midst of the raging storm, spring will come again. beautifully written, Audrey.
Thank you, Beth. After the blizzard started raging last evening, I thought, spring seems a long ways off. I missed the beginning of the “blizzard,” but observed the second hour. Way more dangerous than the actual blizzard we are experiencing here in southern Minnesota today.
LOL! You can do it Audrey! I saw the report early this afternoon about a possible snow storm hitting Eastern Minnesota. Any events like weather, I used yo call home for what was needed to add to the grocery list and anything else. I would then fill the tank up on my car on the way home and park that with what could happen. I recently had to replace a mirror on my truck (long story there) but experience has shown even Texas is not immune to snowflakes – and I now have heated mirrors! God Bless you all and stay save and warm!
A prepared Texan. Good for you, Gunny. Isn’t that a Marine motto, to always be ready? Or perhaps I am confusing the branch of the military.
Be safe. We are getting a winter storm here today and at least just drops rain and not the lovely white stuff. Still the rains here can be dangerous when out on the roads – at times need a Florida setting on the wipers due to it pouring so hard. Just think warm thoughts and that the sun will come out again 🙂 Enjoy your day!
I’m enjoying my day thus far. But then I haven’t been outside yet to start removing 12 inches of snow. “Florida setting on the wipers” made me laugh. You be safe, too.
Trust me – when it rains and pours fiercely here cannot see the front of your vehicle. Like a wet out vs. a white out. With the salt, sand, and sun here I can go through wipers twice a year. The last thing I want is a wiper to not work or goodness no just go flying off – had a driver in front of me have that happen a few years back and of course it had to be on the driver’s side.
Sounds like sheets of rain. Yikes when a wiper flies off during a downpour like that. Be safe, my Florida friend.
Thank you for the optimistic conclusion. We’re just starting our confined morning and trying to see through ice-covered windows. Not an optimistic time.
Ken Wedding
I fully agree on “not an optimistic time.” I’m trying to stay positive through the “blizzard,” but it’s becoming more challenging. Stay strong, Ken.
Such beautiful imagery for our country’s current ‘storm’: take precautions, hunker down, and hold Hope.
We aren’t getting the amounts of snow you are, we barely got a dusting. Stay warm and safe. Hope the weather clears for you quickly. And I hope our country reaches sunny days soon.
Thank you, Rose. I hope the same. We got about 12 inches of snow. We need the moisture. But the snow removal is the part I dislike. Haven’t even started that. The other “blizzard,” well, I too hope it ends soon with sunny days ahead.
So well said Audrey. Multiple meanings for blizzards, for sure. We haven’t made it outside yet…
That was my intention, to show multiple meanings of the word “blizzard.” We spent two hours doing snow removal. And the plow hasn’t even cleared our side street, meaning there’s more work ahead. Makes me want to move into a townhouse. 🙂
It was nice not to have to move the heavy snow…😊
I’m glad you no longer have that chore. Yes, the snow was heavy. But at least the snowblower chomped through it without clogging and I managed to shovel without too much difficulty.
Wonderful post! I’ve been through many a blizzard and have a deep appreciation of snow plows and their crews. And yes, a blizzard is a great metaphor for the present moment of cold and cruelty. Be well.
Thank you. Definitely two meanings to blizzards. I prefer the weather blizzard rather than and other raging blizzard.
How did you guys weather the storms? We barely got a trace on Tuesday but we ended up with a couple of inches yesterday.
This too shall pass!
We got about a foot of snow, which took some three hours to remove. Thankfully the sun is blazing now and the snow is melting.