Lynn's Snow-capades: How I Survived Snowmageddon 2023, Part 1

Hi readers…allow me to introduce myself: My name is Lynn. I am a 65 year (young?) mountain woman living high on a hilltop in a cabin my father and I built together in the inspiring and gloriously beautiful countryside of Sierra County.

As you may have heard (or experienced first-hand), we had quite the winter here this year. And because many of my long-distance friends were concerned as to how I was faring and requested I keep them updated; I began chronicling some of my adventures on social media. What began as a few relatively uneventful updates describing our typical snow inconveniences and power outages quickly transformed into the telling of tales of adventures far outside the norms of daily mountain existence. The longer the days of being snowed in ticked by, the more my adventures became wilder, crazier, and even downright magical.

So, after multiple requests, I'm now sharing some of these 'around the campfire' stories here in our wonderful local paper. Since many of the stories have become small novellas, they'll be broken up into multiple installments over the next weeks. In other words: If you want to see how it all ends, stay tuned each week!

Day 1 of no electricity, 7 days snowed in.

Sideways snow, sideways life! No electricity. Snow way above my knees. Picture proof the snow did not necessarily adhere to gravity. But I'm safe, warm, and well prepared. While inconvenienced, I am still maintaining my gratitude that I have a good deal of comfort in an uncomfortable situation.

Day 2 of no electricity, 8 days snowed in

Had the strangest dream last night where an overly zealous pastry chef (Keebler elf?) snuck in and smothered all my trees in marshmallow frosting. And then I woke to this. True story. (Ok...maybe not so true. But this is what happens to the brain when left in isolation, with no electricity.)

Day 5 of no electricity, 11 days snowed in

After a few days of strikingly brilliant blue skies, today we have again returned to blizzard-like conditions -with many more feet of the white stuff predicted. Not so bad being snowed in with nature's beauty all around me, but I have to admit my previously 'perky' attitude is definitely waning on this 5th day of no electricity. Especially given PG&E's latest estimate regarding power restoration. Now they are predicting another 3 days until we're back on the grid.

Really?

That's a bit rough -especially considering I've been snowed in for 11 days now and have already gone through a great deal of my propane and firewood much sooner than expected. On top of that, there's this little issue of my well pump dying only days before the first storm hit. Even with careful rationing, today is the day that I have officially and completely run out of water! (Fortunately, l have a significant amount of bottled drinking water stock-piled.)

But don't throw in the towel yet, Lynn!

No matter what plan/routine I settle into, it appears the forces that be always manage to press me into finding different ways to do my life. So that's what I intend to do now. Time for a new Plan B, 'make-lemonade-and-still-try-to-remain-positive,' game plan:

1.) Do not open fridge and freezer unless there is no other option. Nosh on non-perishable, possibly tasteless, grab & go backpacking-type snacks instead.

2.) Only use generator every 2 days -primarily to power the fridge and charge small battery banks. Battery or solar-powered camping string lights only. No matter how depressing and bleak it may be: Make peace with darkness!

3.) Shovel, shovel, and then shovel some more! What doesn't kill me makes my muscles stronger. Supposedly.

4.) Fill large pots with snow. Melt shoveled white substance on top of wood-burning stove –to be used for sponge baths, once-daily toilet-flushings, and camp-dish cleaning. Only use 3 dishes for every possible food experience.

5.) Don't let the fire go out! Stoke it all during the night while surrendering all previous sleep patterns to the Stove God –who now owns my weary soul!

6.) Most importantly: Pretend I'm camping for an entire month. Keep singing and laughing. And in an attempt to keep my spirits light: watch really lame Hallmark-type shows on my battery-powered Ipad.

7.) Tell myself daily, "This, too, shall pass."

Day 11 of no electricity, day 17 of being snowed in...

Stay tuned next week.

About the author and column: The Mountain Messenger is pleased our local singer/songwriter Lynn Zanetta is sharing from her journal about the snow storms of 2023. We have made every effort to maintain the integrity of the journal entries with few edits to preserve her voice and spirit.