January 2024
I will begin by offering heartfelt sympathy and support for our friends, family, and neighbors in the Perry community as they grieve in the aftermath of the recent shooting tragedy. May we not forget. May we not return to our normal activities. Rather, may we use our voices and seek action to secure changes in policies and values to prevent these horrific events in our state and nation.
The twin snowstorms and ultimate declaration of a blizzard in January 2024 will long be remembered. Wind chill temperatures of minus 41 degrees will establish records.
Iowans, and people in general, like to “talk” weather. The harshness and extremes of climate change currently occupy everyone’s mind. This storm will create numerous experiences and become stories told to the next generation.
We reminisced with our family members by phone on Saturday.
Gary and I both recalled an event when we had cattle back in the ‘70s. The snow was deep and had drifted so high it covered the fence, and the cattle could escape the lot. The wind was strong from the northwest and the cattle started running. The herd ran about two miles on the roads south and east of our house before we got them stopped. My husband recalls that same winter the snow tunneled around their eyes, causing them temporary blindness. He could easily approach them brushing off the snow so they could see again.
The winter storm my mother Margaret always talked about was the Armistice Day storm in 1940. She was raising chickens and the day started as a warm late fall day. The chickens liked to roost in the evergreen trees in our grove. The weather change occurred so quickly that chickens roosting in the trees froze and fell to the ground.
My ‘70s snowstorm experience occurred when our son David was about 4 months old. I had worked as a nurse on the day shift at the Dallas County Hospital in Perry. A storm moved in about noon, with the weather promising to get worse. I felt I needed to get home to my family. At the end of my shift at 3:30, I had difficulty leaving the parking lot because of drifting around my car. The hospital administrator was able to physically push me out of a small drift, and I started for home. I drove slowly and was feeling pretty good about my driving skills when I came to the Angus corner. It was black ice, and I promptly spun in a circle and landed in the ditch.
I was in a panic until I observed a Department of Transportation bladed truck approaching. I cast aside all my judgmental preconceived notions about getting into a truck with a male I did not know. I jumped out of my car and asked if I could ride with him. He practically took me to my parents’ door who lived north of Rippey on 144. I was able to call Gary. As he needed to care for the livestock, he asked our neighbor if he could bring David to her house. He carried David across the road to the home of Barbara Royce, who cared for him.
I have just read that the Iowa Highway Patrol and Sheriff Williams both advised persons to stay home; yet the sheriff helped 40 individuals stranded in cars on Saturday, Jan. 13.
Iowans, we need to listen to the advice of our law enforcement personnel!
Snowplow drivers, be cautious. You are greatly appreciated.
Readers, be safe.
This storm will pass, and people who endured it will have experiences and memories to share with the next generation about the twin storms of January 2024.
~Mary Weaver writes VIEW FROM MY WINDOW from her home in rural Rippey.
