Austin Rain of Terror
Friends | Posted by Jannie on 10 December 2008 @ 7:45 PM 36 Comments
OMG, we woke to funny-looking white stuff on our palms this morning!
Palm TREES, that is.
Here, I’ll let Wade Porter tell you all about it, he does a far better job than I could’ve hoped to. [In his "Old Man Winter holds City of Austin in Icy Grip" post] lol writing!
On 10 December 2008 at 8:00 pm Lisa said,
Haha!! Isn’t it hilarious what passes for “snow” in this city?? The way we all act over it, you’d think an alien spaceship landed on Congress Avenue or something (”Oh my gosh, did you see it? Did you see it?!?”).
Lisa’s last blog post..Snow!! (Sort of!!)
On 10 December 2008 at 10:00 pm TheWeyrd1 said,
Being a born Texan, but not a raised Texan, I always find my fellow Texan’s humorous in their response to a LITTLE TINY BIT of snow…hehehe I almost got stuck in Dallas, because the planes wouldn’t take off in SLEET for pete’s sake! Had to drive to Austin for Christmas in a rental car or stay in Dallas…ALONE. The airline customer service people were warning me against driving in the slippery stuff. Less than 45 minutes later, the roads were DRY I tell ya. Slippery stuff…bah humbug…lol
TheWeyrd1’s last blog post..Make My Monday – Answer to the Bible Thumpers Regarding Gay Marriage Rights
On 10 December 2008 at 10:05 pm Talon said,
Seems Ol’ Man Winter is casting a wide net this year…
Nothing like unusual weather to get people all excited. I do hope the weather isn’t going to continue unseasonably cold because it always has such a tragic effect on agriculture.
Definitely strange to see palm trees with snow! Does sort of make them into sisters of the pines, don’t you think?
Talon’s last blog post..People get paid to do this?
On 10 December 2008 at 10:42 pm Patricia said,
Jannie, we are expected to get big winds and snow this weekend – my youngest is driving home from college…maybe she will wait it out for the weekend and see how it shapes up? I hope so.
I was hoping I could ask you to comment on my current post…Deb is an amazing person…very high energy…does not write…or have a blog….extremely funny…but is in need of a boost…so I put her up in lights and in her Little Mermaid Costume…it’s the best present I could give her…really
Please, please…
Patricia’s last blog post..The Queen of Preparation and an Awesome Mom
On 10 December 2008 at 11:40 pm Abra said,
I wish I got that funny looking white stuff instead of the foot of snow we got… **sigh** I love summer.
On 11 December 2008 at 12:15 am phoenixthebloggingmama said,
Wow too funny I am here in Austin also and I was totally freaked out by the snow last night! lol
Here are a few of the pics I took if you have a chance to look!
http://phoenixthebloggingmama.blogspot.com/2008/12/holy-crap.html
On 11 December 2008 at 3:31 am mojo shivers said,
It looks rather pinkish to me. I would be slightly concerned if I saw that on my palm trees one morning. LOL
mojo shivers’s last blog post..I Don’t Care If Monday’s Blue, Tuesday’s Grey And Wednesday Too, Thursday I Don’t Care About You, It’s Friday, I’m In Love
On 11 December 2008 at 3:54 am Miles McClagan said,
The only funny looking white stuff round our way is off milk…that and some of the more straggly sheep…
Miles McClagan’s last blog post..Hop Swiss Part Four – This kind of moment is only on loan
On 11 December 2008 at 6:17 am CSquaredplus3 said,
I was at UT in Austing in 1984 and 1985 – we had a little of the white stuff then too… (that doesn’t sound too good…)
CSquaredplus3’s last blog post..My brother, my friend.
On 11 December 2008 at 8:43 am Shay said,
I just want to see you laughing in the Purple Snow
Purrrrple Snow, Purple SnooowwWWwwWwwww….
(how come it looks purple to me?)
Shay’s last blog post..Concrete Heartbeat
On 11 December 2008 at 8:48 am Glenn Buttkus said,
What white stuff? The photo looks like purple stuff. Who took the pic, the artist formally known as Prince?
Actually snow in Texas is normal here and there. Even on the gulf coast, below Houston, we saw 4 inches of it two Christmas’s ago. I remember one year when it snowed in Palm Springs and people deplaning at the airport nearly had strokes after fleeing Minnesota and North Dakota to fly there. In the Pacific Northwest we are expected an Artic blast his weekend and into next week. Too many hills around here, make driving a bitch. I hate snow for just that reason. When I retire it will be fine. I will just go back to bed, or not get up.
Glenn
On 11 December 2008 at 9:34 am Jim said,
So you can use a dustrag to take care of that, right? We’ll have to ship you down some snow. You can’t have any fun with that little bit.
Jim’s last blog post..Secret Santa Can Suck It Gift Swap
On 11 December 2008 at 9:35 am Jannie said,
Lisa: I saw that space ship!
And why does it always have to snow at night when we’re sleeping?! Miss all the fun.
Weyrd1: (love your moniker, btw) Ya, it’s pretty funny. Like folks traipsing around in scarves when it hits 40 here.
This Canuck knows from real winter, let me tell ya!
Talon: Ol Man Winter, that Ol Man Winter, he just keeps snowin’ along… Yes, what is a palm but a pine, a thousand or two miles to the south? Plus Texas palms know to be pretty hardy.
Patricia: I hope your daughter will travel safe and sound. Was happy to coment on your post, in fact, expect to see me around your blog nauseatingly much.
Abra
I remember winters with 20 Major Storms. Snow up to the garage roof and such. Can’t wait to get back to it when we move back to Canada! And of course, Kelly actually cries for real snow. 
Phoenix: It was snow. Were you up past your bedtime? And welcome to J.F.! I will look forward to checking out your blog.
Mojo: I actually took that pic in Feb. ‘06, when my camera was dying and putting a pinkish – purple haze on everything. Least that’s what I tell people because the truth would be far too freakish to believe. Thanks for popping by!
Miles: No white custard? No Swiss white chocolate?
C2+3: A little of the powdery white stuff. Sugar? Flour? Baking powder? Salt? The UT pastry club, of course! (Right?)
Shay: I’m dreaming of a purple Christmas, so leave me alone!
Glenn: Artist formerly known as Jan.
I have never been in the U.S. Pacific NW. Or the Grand Canyon. Or to Mount Rushless. I did got to Florida a few times. You go bicycling on them hills in snow-free times? When you retiring? You do Vet rehab, right?
Jim: My mom already sent me a couple cardboard boxfulls. But send more. Sure!
On 11 December 2008 at 9:51 am Heather (How to be a Woman..?) said,
What the heck? Is there salt in morning dew or something? Did you trip and spill a box of mashed potato flakes?
I don’t recognize that substance.
Heather (How to be a Woman..?)’s last blog post..Women like SkinCareRx
On 11 December 2008 at 10:35 am wade said,
thank you for the very kind words. Are you sure that you meant this Wade Porter ?
On 11 December 2008 at 12:32 pm Jannie said,
Heather: Love mashed potato flakes! They dry out my tongue a bit, tho!
Wade: You’re the only Wade Porter I know.
On 11 December 2008 at 2:40 pm Momisodes said,
Wow! Palm tree and snow? A total oxymoron
Momisodes’s last blog post..Curiosity Killed the Parent
On 11 December 2008 at 4:02 pm Maddy said,
That is a very kewl picture – one of my other favourites is somebody who took a photo of snow covered daffodils when they were in england – I have yet to see actual snow
Maddy’s last blog post..I am so embarrassment
On 11 December 2008 at 4:30 pm Mia said,
That must have been mind-blowing! My mind is still trying to wrap around that one.
Mia’s last blog post..Autism Twitter Day is Coming!
On 11 December 2008 at 5:23 pm Jeanne said,
Jannie,
Cool… I’ve never seen a snowy palm!
Where I live, 2 feet of snow on the ground isn’t necessarily enough to declare a snow day for the schools.
It depends on whether the plows are keeping up, whether there is black ice, and if it’s at least about 10 degrees below (as in Fahrenheit, Mrs. Canada).
Oh, and schools usually factor in whether there are whiteout conditions preventing the buses from seeing the cars and the cars from seeing the buses (not to mention they need to be able to see the kids shivering at the bus stops). Plus schools sometimes pay attention to the “wind chill” temperature.
(Generally, if the wind chill hits 20 below, schools will close).
People generally gauge whether it’s safe to drive to work based on which schools are closed and which are open. It could be a nice, sunny day 2 towns over and my house could have near-blizzard conditions (and vice-versa).
Seriously, I know where you live now people aren’t used to snow but it always cracks me up when I hear about school closings in Southern states due to an inch of snow.
In this case, I’m glad you got to see a little snow to remind you of Canada.
I’m just sorry that climate change is probably going to make snow in Texas seem more and more normal. The weather seems to get wackier every year. Where I live, we set heat records every summer now because each year is higher than all of the others preceding it.
Sorry to end on a “downer” but I do worry about our kids’ future when the weather does freaky things like snow in Texas.
Jeanne
Jeanne’s last blog post..Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: How You Can Help Patients With This Often Debilitating Condition!! (UPDATED With USA Today article)!
On 11 December 2008 at 7:10 pm Jannie said,
Momisodes: Ain’t it, tho? It was gone by noon tho. When Kelly was 2 we had enough snow to make a snowman, which she doesn’t rememer and I don’t have a photo but I did take video.
Maddy: Never saw snow, I can’t imagine. It is so freaking beautiful!! (When it’s not its usual pain in the ass.) Depends on how you look at it, I guess.
Mia: I loved it!!! Just last week it was still summer and suddenly winter is here and I feel as happy as a little girl. I skip. I bounce. I am Jannie, hear me roar!
Jeanne: The only time we got a snow day was if the bus couldn’t get through the drifts. Often times it seemed they used our busses as snowplows. (More later — Piano teacher here!) xo
On 11 December 2008 at 7:55 pm robbi said,
Ahhhhhhh, I have the perfect antidote for you, but you must follow the instructions on the bottle very carefully as the cure can be addictive. I shall post a link that you( the funster person)should go to ASAP.
http://www.thegoonshow.net/ Actually I consider it a crime as a fun loving type that you have never heard of these folk, but perhaps it is you are a closet fan and do not wish your addiction to be known in public.Wiki has a nice little article that MIGHT, just might allow some folk live in NA to understand the genius,just one example ” Transference of time. If time causes causes calendars, calendars can cause time. If you drop a bundle of 1918 calendars on German troops in 1916, then they will all go home, thus shortening the war. (World War One, 22nd episode/ 8th series.)” I could use a brain that could think up stuff like that, come to think of it I could use a brain that worked. But I does like the idea (calendars, not brain), let’s do it in Zimbabwe for Mr Mugabe, I really don’t like that man, and his name is Robert, how crass is that!! SNOW ON !!!
On 11 December 2008 at 8:03 pm robbi said,
Hang about, I think I have one here, ear ear wot?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:What_time_is_it_Eccles.ogg one of them goons that’s wot
On 11 December 2008 at 8:57 pm buddhaofhollywood said,
Hi Jannie!
I started blogging 2 month ago, so I’m still learning the trade.
I hope one day my blog will be as professional looking and as popular as yours.
I am really impressed and a little overwhelmed.
What is your secret? Do you have any advice for a old, young blogger?
buddhaofhollywood’s last blog post..Where is the love?
On 12 December 2008 at 3:23 am SnaggleTooth said,
I really liked Wade’s description.
Folks around Florida really hate the chilly conditions too- You all get too spoiled basking in tank-tops!
Saw a bunch of accidents on the news from that- in New Mexico too.
Hope winter warms up for you southwesterners before you have to break down to buy mittens…
SnaggleTooth’s last blog post..Critters
On 12 December 2008 at 6:42 am sheila said,
Is that powdered sugar? lol. How funny to see all these normally warm states getting a bit of snow.
Oh, and I left you an award over at my place if you’re interested.
sheila’s last blog post..She didn’t dance while they starved.
On 12 December 2008 at 7:50 am nikkicrumpet said,
You warm weather people make me snicker. I MOCK you and your pitiful snow! Try New England for a winter month or 6 and see how interesting that crappy stuff is! And if you’re gonna take our snow…could you please send us some “unusual winter sunshine and warmth” so we can giggle and tell reporters how much fun it is to see the SUN for the first time in our lives!!!
nikkicrumpet’s last blog post..***NIKKICRUMPET COOKS***
On 12 December 2008 at 9:22 am Glenn Buttkus said,
Our TV weather folks are really shaking the “snow” stick on our faces today. Over the new couple of days, it seems, we will get some of that whitish crap. It really puts a crimp in my weekend plans, and of course if it continues it will jam things up for the morning commute to work Monday. Yes, I work with sight impaired and blind veterans. I am slated to retire in June 2010, which is actually within sight. Thanks for explicating why the “snow” on the palms is purple. The first several commentors did not even mention it. I thought my color receptors in my retina had gone bonkers. But Shay saved the day by declaring the purple snow alert.
Glenn
Glenn Buttkus’s last blog post..The Reservation Cab Driver
On 12 December 2008 at 12:29 pm Vered - MomGrind said,
Perpetual summer… well, there ARE worse things!
On 12 December 2008 at 12:42 pm karyn said,
I like the snow with the palm tree. How much did you get? Just that little amount of dusting??
Want some of our snow?
On 12 December 2008 at 1:25 pm Cricket said,
We got a drop or two last week. I wish we would get a winter blow out. Every couple of days we get a inch or two of snow and it shuts down the town. Oh well, I would take the small amount you got…even on a leaf.
Cricket’s last blog post..No choice but to use a short cut
On 12 December 2008 at 2:00 pm Jannie said,
Robbi: (If you only knew about my closet!) I downloaded the java player especially for this “what tiem is it” bit of the Goon Show but my system has rejected it, thus me. And now I’m on my 14th beer. But I must’ve seen them as I remember Peter Sellers in a group. And Jim may well have soem on tape, wouldn’t surprise me. I imagine they influenced the Monty Python a lot?
Budda: Wow, professional looking?? Thanks, I guess I must be muddling through afterall. I’m not really sure if I’m popular or not. I just visit a lot of cool blogs and comment, and people come over here too. Here are two links of ladies who’ve done some great articles on blogging how-to. http://cathlawson.com/blog/ and http://bloggingwithoutablog.com/ And write about bra-flinging, that seems to keep ‘em coming back!
Snag: Wasn’t Wade’s post(s) funny?! And yes I do have gloves for the steering wheel. Chillie on them hands.
Sheila: An award, ah thanks! I’ve gotten two others and I HAVE to get that page up and functioning.
Nikki: I tried Canada for my first 26 years! Ah, but I was always one of those weirdos out frolicking all winter. Wish I kenw than what I know now about skin and sun damage. OH well… Can you say chemical peel? (Real not expensive off eBay. Do it yourself variety.)
Golann: JUne 2010 – that’s just avound a corner or twl! And what twill you do after that? (I actually just listened on NPR to the results of a government study that shows of all the 50 states (or 57 according our Obama,) that on computer monitors in Michigan, Washington and some parts of California snow does appear with a pinkish-purple cast to it.
Vered: Yes, worse things indeed, like being out of chocolate, not being able to find your good jeans, being out of shampoo, having a bit zit. This is happening to someone I know at this very moment. I wonder who?
Karyn: We ended up getting .38 cm, which translates into, in our imperial system (which oddly enough, the Original Imperialists have long since abandoned,) 12 feet! (No, just a dusting really, but it hung around on tops of cars for like, 17 minutes!)
Cricket: It would be nice to have some for Christmas, even just a little, eh? BTW: Your new Gravatar rocks! Congrats.
On 12 December 2008 at 11:32 pm Stephanie said,
The “snow” as they called it was really just an annoyance on my windshield the next morning. Having lived in Texas all my life I have never experienced real snow, but would love to at least once.
Stephanie’s last blog post..Photo Phriday
On 14 December 2008 at 11:53 am Jannie said,
Stephanie: I guess in 1984 they had like 6 inches here. IT COULD HAPPEN!
On 17 December 2008 at 9:14 pm Jeanne said,
Jannie,
Here’s a global warming/climate change alert for you…
Tonight Henderson, Nevada is expecting *SIX INCHES* of snow!!
A have a friend who lives in Henderson. For those unfamiliar with the Las Vegas, NV area… Henderson is a suburb of Las Vegas!
Yes, it is snowing there. Quite a bit! I saw pictures on the news tonight. (It was freakish enough to be featured on the local news here in New York).
It’s kind of scary, really.
Sorry to break the “funster” mood…
Jeanne
Jeanne’s last blog post..Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: How You Can Help Patients With This Often Debilitating Condition!! (UPDATED With USA Today article)!
On 19 December 2008 at 8:00 pm Jannie said,
Jeanne: I heard they got some of the fun white stuff over there. Haven’t seen any pix yet tho.