AN EARLY (WHITE) CHRISTMAS – BISBEE, ARIZONA

Wild weather in Arizona yesterday.  A mighty wind caused a dust storm on I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson, and three travelers died in a resulting pileup that closed the freeway for much of the evening.  Cochise County had a “strong wind advisory”, and the weather forecasters mentioned snow as a possibility in Bisbee. 

While this was going on, the Cochise County contingent of our family gathered at Sydney’s and Frank’s house for an early Christmas celebration.  My cousin Rosanna (Paws and Hooves Ranch)  is leaving on Christmas Eve to fly to Cincinnati to visit her daughter and SIL (Joy and Greg), and we happily accommodated our schedule to hers. 

Since it is an hour long drive from the ranch to Bisbee, we gathered early so everyone could be back home by dark.  Sydney and Frank had a Christmas tree decorated in the living room, garlands here and there, the table beautifully set.  Soon the wine corks were popping, the cooks were jockeying for position in the kitchen, and the non-cooks (and cats) were wandering through looking for handouts.  As always, the food was outstanding, and we came away with a new recipe, described by Sydney as “Brussels sprouts for people who don’t like Brussels sprouts”. 

The wind was whipping dust into the air when we headed home in the waning daylight.  Queen Mine RV park, and especially our site backed up to the mountain side, was well protected from the strong winds and we slept soundly.  When we awoke to what I thought was light rain, we saw a different world… white Christmas!

Luna loudly declared her intention to go outside, and jumped out onto the step when Odel opened the door.  Whoops!   After a heavy application of fleece accessories, it was my turn – I wanted a photo of this unusual-for-us situation.  I know what the words “wind chill” mean, but had forgotten the reality of their physical expression.  It was COLD, COLD, COLD out there.

I snapped three quick photos, then hopped back inside, where we have the electric heater going in the bedroom and the new Kozy World propane heater blazing in front.  Whew!

The sun should be out soon, the snow will be gone, and those welcome solar rays will warm the still-chilly corners of our little home.  It is something I can happily savor – when it happens once a year.  :)