The Winter Storm That Wasn’t

The thunderous crash of disappointment was nearly deafening as we woke this morning to find that absolutely nothing particularly exciting, weather-wise, had happened overnight. The picture below will show the piling drifts of snow, downed trees, and utter devastation that didn’t happen.

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The wind, though, blasting down from the north is cruel, biting, and relentless. The birds, with their feathers turned inside out, are attacking the feeder like a swarm of locusts. Is that a sign of harsher conditions to come? Probably not. The wee things are just hungry I’m thinking.

It’s nearly impossible to talk about severe weather in these parts without thinking of the Blizzard of ’93. Now, there was a storm! April 1993 it was, and Spring was just making her appearance. It was the first time in my life I’d ever heard of “thundersnow”. At the time I thought it was a new word, coined by our local meteorologist, James Spann. The Blizzard of ’93 is a name write large here, and in an impressive font.

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Trees and power lines were down. My parents didn’t have power for 17 days. Mother Nature was pitching a hissy fit, and nothing was safe from her wrath. The streets and interstate highways became an angry snarl of stalled automobiles and trucks.

004-highways-blizzard of 93

The thundersnow was an interesting phenomenon, accompanied by eerie green lightning and winds with the power of a Category 3 hurricane. Astonishing amounts of snow fell in great, fat flakes. The official measurement in Birmingham was 13 inches with drifts 5-6 feet high. That storm system, at its height, stretched from Central America to eastern Canada.

002-infrared-blizzard of 93

And then? Well, in typical Alabama form the temperatures climbed back into the 60s F within a few days and Spring marched in, showing no signs of embarrassment, as if nothing at all had happened. It left us all with many stories to tell, though, I can tell you!

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Now then, let me invite you over to Amazon to pick up a copy of New Yesterdays. It’s a thrilling book that you’ll be sure to love. Just click either of the red links and, Poof! A new window will open. The only thing you have to do is walk through and lay down a wee bit of coin, thereby earning my undying gratitude!

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About Ol' Big Jim

Jim L. Wright is a storyteller with a lifetime of experiences as colorful as the characters he creates. Born and raised in Piedmont, Alabama, Jim’s connection to the land, history, and people of the region runs deep. His debut novel New Yesterdays is set in his hometown, where he grew up listening to stories of the past—stories that sparked his imagination and curiosity for history. Today, Jim lives in Leeds, Alabama, with his husband Zeek, a tour operator who shares his passion for adventure and discovery. Known affectionately as “Ol’ Big Jim,” he has had a diverse career that includes time as a storekeeper, an embalmer, a hospital orderly, and a medical coder. There are even whispers—unconfirmed, of course—that he once played piano in a house of ill repute. No matter the job, one thing has remained constant: Jim is a teller of tales. His stories—sometimes humorous, sometimes thought-provoking—are often inspired by his unique life experiences. Many of these tales can be found on his popular blog, Ol’ Big Jim, where he continues to share his musings with a loyal readership. Jim’s adventures have taken him far beyond Alabama. For seven years, he lived in Amman, Jordan, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. His time there, spent in smoky coffee shops, enjoying a hookah and a cup of tea while scribbling in his ever-present notebook, deeply influenced his worldview and his writing. When Jim isn’t writing, he’s thinking about writing. His stories, whether tall tales from his past or imaginative reimagining is of historical events should read from his past or imaginative reimaginings of historical events, reflect a life lived fully and authentically. With New Yesterdays, Jim brings readers a rich tapestry of history, fantasy, and human connection. Visit his blog at www.olbigjim.com to read more of his stories, or follow him on social media to keep up with his latest musings and projects, one of which is a series that follows Bonita McCauley, an amateur detective who gets into some very sticky situations. His book, New Yesterdays, can be found at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.
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2 Responses to The Winter Storm That Wasn’t

  1. Hard for us up in Michigan to imagine a big snowstorm in your neck of the woods. Weather is pretty wild at times.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Ol' Big Jim's avatar Ol' Big Jim says:

      It sure is wild, Tim! We get a really big one (for us) maybe once in ten years.The rest of the time it’s rather temperate. In fact, I haven’t even had a jacket on this year.

      Liked by 1 person

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