Let it snow...

Yesterday we experience our first snow storm of the season. I was in West Hartford with my son, Richard, volunteering at the football game concession stand for the PTO.  Actually, Richard had volunteered and I was along for the ride (to get him there and back). I had helped out the previous two games (see separate post) and wanted to give someone else a chance.

We knew the storm was coming but thought it would only rain until later in the evening. The game was scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. The weather was so cold and miserable that I parked myself in the concession booth and chatted with the other adults. When we arrived at the field, 1/2 hour before the game, there was literally no one in the stands. By game time, a surprising number of folks showed up. Prudently, many had brought their umbrellas. Although the pep band did not come, the cheerleader squad did and they dressed appropriately for the weather.

We kept waiting for the officials to cancel the game but they didn't. The picture above is from the start of the game during the national anthem (Ohhh, say can you see....the flag by the scoreboard?). And the weather got worse. Snow Bowl.

During the 3rd quarter there was a tremendous rumbling sound. Earthquake? Jet plane? Thunder? Yes, thunder. The refs postponed the game for 30 minutes and everyone left. We thought that was the end but as we were leaving, we almost got run over by both football teams trotting back to the snow covered field to resume play. The game was broadcast by a local radio station but after the thunder delay, even the broadcasters apparently left. I saw in a local paper on the Internet that Hall High (Richard's school) won, 22-6. It was 22-0 when we left and there was no scoring in the 4th quarter. More photos of the Snow Bowl can be viewed at http://www.photobynewman.com

The "hot" item sold in the concession stand was hot chocolate ($1). A few cups of coffee and several hot dogs (about 2 dozen compared to over 200 during the previous 2 home games).

On the short drive to drop Richard back to his mom, it was apparent from the trees sagging under the weight of wet snow that widespread power outages were inevitable. The media is reporting today that nearly all of West Hartford is without power. School has been canceled for Monday. Lucky Richard.

The 50-some mile drive back to my place was slow and treacherous. Fortunately, there was more rain than snow in my neighborhood.

Today, I drove to the office to try to get some work done on a project that is due tomorrow. Unfortunately, there was no power so I couldn't get anything done. By the time I got home, 4 hours had been used up. At least I got a few things done around my place today.