After snow that had remained on the ground for nearly three weeks due to freezing and sometimes sub-zero temperatures, this past Wednesday we had a meltdown and rain. I was caught on the road home to my farm behind a huge fallen tree.
Luckily, state road workers showed up and eventually cut and cleared it out of the way.
You can see how high the creek was to the left of the road in these pictures. There was flooding in many places, and it just got worse overnight going into Thursday when I woke to no power, no phone, and over four inches of snow on the ground.
I’d moved my car to the bottom of the driveway on Wednesday night.
Gamely, I went down to my car Thursday morning, went to great effort to clear it off, and pondered my ability to actually drive anywhere.
My chances weren’t looking real good. Especially since it continued to snow all day. These pictures were taken in the morning. By afternoon, there was nearly a foot of snow on the ground.
My neighbor Andy came to plow the road with his four-wheeler, but I think he was just entertaining himself. We hadn’t seen a real snow plow here all day, and the four-wheeler plow wasn’t really solving my problem. And I had a problem. I had to get out. I’d been called to testify as a witness Friday morning at a courthouse in Ohio. Because of the distance, I was being provided accommodations for Thursday night. If I could get there in the middle of the worst storm in West Virginia all winter. There was flooding, deep snow, ice, trees and power lines down across the road, power and phone outages everywhere, and not enough snow plows to clear the roads as fast as the snow was coming down. If I was going to get there, I was going to be in for an adventure. Having made the decision that there was no way I was getting there under my own steam in my car, a representative from Ohio was sent to fetch me. They arrived in a four-wheel drive at my farm after dark, and the trip back out involved narrow cuts between fallen trees, skirting flood waters, and power lines dangling so low across the road we barely got under them. It was dark and icy. We passed a snow plow in a ditch and reached the interstate–which was little better. I’ve never seen the interstate in such bad shape–snow and ice everywhere, cars and trucks in ditches along the way. We slid at one point, and right after, an 18-wheeler passed us. If the 18-wheeler had been beside us when we’d slid, we would have crashed. I was never so glad to see the bridge over the Ohio River at the state line. As soon as we crossed the bridge, the interstate was instantly clear. Either there is some magic in the air on the other side of the river or they were keeping up better in Ohio with their plowing. But in any case, the rest of the trip was easy from there. It was nearly midnight by the time we arrived at our destination, and I was just thrilled to be alive.
On Friday morning, I held up my hand in an Ohio courthouse, swore to tell the truth, and testified. It was surreal. I was actually asked to point out an individual in the courtroom. (They really do that. I thought that was TV stuff.) I was questioned for what I believe was about 30 minutes by two lawyers and a judge about certain experiences and knowledge that I had which pertained to the case. I looked someone in the eyes who I hadn’t seen in six months, and I did not flinch. I thought I might feel emotional when I locked eyes with the individual I was there to testify against, but all I felt was a moral obligation. I told the truth, and when it was over and I left the courtroom, I texted Morgan and told her about it. She said, “I’m proud of you, Mom.”
There were times in the past two years when I didn’t feel as if my daughter was proud of me. And I wasn’t proud of me. I was involved in a relationship that wasn’t good for me. But on Friday? I was proud of me again and so was she. I would ride through the dark on an interstate of ice all over again for that feeling. It was worth it.
P.S. The drive home was much easier. I was deposited safely back at my farm by my ride. Please understand that I can’t discuss the case, so please don’t ask, thank you. I can only discuss my feelings about it. When I got home, my power was on and my phone was back. And all is well in the world again.
glasslass says:
Sorry you had to go through that, been there and was not fun. We are all proud of you for all your strength. But next time you buy a car please get an all wheel drive or at least a 4 wheel drive. I have the same car as you just a year older and my roommate has 4 wheel drive. We got 15″ of snow. She backed out and did all the running around and my car sat. Could not go forward or backward. Next car will have something that keeps me mobile.
On March 9, 2015 at 10:30 am
Jersey Lady says:
We were worried about you since we had not heard from you. We have been worried about you in regard to the Ohio thing for quite a while. Happy to hear that is now all in the past. Well done, You! Yes, Ohio does know how to keep up their roads. I agree that you need a 4 wheel drive. Hugs
On March 9, 2015 at 10:35 am
DeniseS says:
Nothing like having your self-esteem restored along with knowing you faced a daunting situation with truth and integrity.
On March 9, 2015 at 10:40 am
Pam full of joy says:
Thankful you are safe and back to your own self again….I have not been good with choosing fellas. My younger sister once said to me “Your chooser is broken.” Boy, was she right!
Anyway, if such a desire comes about again for me, I have developed particularly good friends both male and female. Now having learned from my experiences the word “run the gauntlet” comes to mind–not for me mind you.
Enjoy your thawing winter. :sun:
I always look forward to your posts.
On March 9, 2015 at 11:12 am
Starfish says:
Wow……what an ordeal, all of it from the weather to court. I am proud of you too Suzanne although nothing compares to having your daughter be proud of you. Glad you are back home, take care and know that you did good and that it’s done!! You are definitely a strong and beautiful woman! 🙂
On March 9, 2015 at 11:55 am
glgoolsby says:
Great weather is on its way… I live in the mountains of Tennessee and you seem to get our weather a few days later. Yesterday was beautiful and in the 60’s everything has melted and a little soggy but the sun shone bright and was even able to get outside and clean up some branches that the ice storm had knocked down. You should be proud of yourself… YOU are much stronger than you give yourself credit for.
On March 9, 2015 at 12:04 pm
denisestone says:
Wow Suzanne! Sounds like you have more adventures to write another book about. I thought all of your personal relationship hardships were done when your relationship with 52 ended. I didn’t realize that MMIO was causing you grief as well. Sounds like the basis of a good book or maybe a movie…
Glad that you are okay and stronger for the experiences.
This means the next love will be worth all of the hell that you had to endure to get there!
Best wishes!
Denise
On March 9, 2015 at 1:08 pm
AnnieB says:
I’m so sorry to hear of your troubles, both weather-wise and relationship-wise. But I am very happy to hear you did the right thing and feel good about it!
On March 9, 2015 at 1:28 pm
Sue, a Florida Farm Girl says:
I think all of us can do what we have to do. You stood up when it was called for.
Sorry for all the weather. You guys north of us got pounded. I missed the 5-7 inches that fell here ’cause I was where it was warm and sunny!
On March 9, 2015 at 1:33 pm
beforethedawn says:
Wow Suzanne. So glad you made it safely to OH and back. Whatever happened/is happening, you are brave and strong and you have support.
On March 9, 2015 at 2:05 pm
Louise says:
I know it’s not the same a family saying it but your readers are always proud of you. You are an amazing lady. Glad you are safe and the snow is melting. Have a great day Suzanne.
On March 9, 2015 at 2:22 pm
marrypoppinz says:
Did Precious get to go with you to Ohio?
On March 9, 2015 at 3:36 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Yes, she came with me. I was afraid if the weather or roads stopped me from coming back that she’d be alone too long, so she came with me!
On March 9, 2015 at 3:42 pm
milesawayfarm says:
There is nothing like standing up for yourself to make you feel proud. Good for you. Sure sounds like you really need a 4WD truck with studded snow tires. Hate to think of you having an emergency and not being able to get out. I lived in Colorado, with lots of snow and a steep driveway, for 10 years. I always hated that feeling of being trapped. Glad it all worked out OK.
On March 9, 2015 at 4:04 pm
ticka1 says:
wow that was an adventure – glad you are back home. Why do those magically weather lines/boundary happen – been through stuff like that myself. Did all the animals survive at the farm?? hope things are back to normal as they can be.
On March 9, 2015 at 6:13 pm
RosieJo says:
You did good! You really did.
On March 9, 2015 at 7:11 pm
yvonnem says:
I knew something was up since you hadn’t posted in almost a week. Glad you are ok, and glad this is behind you. :heart:
On March 9, 2015 at 7:34 pm
sesamekaren says:
Wow…..glad you’re home, safe and sound! You need to get started on the sequel to CITR!you certainly have many more adventures to add. Precious is precious,hope it stays warm….prefer naked dogs! Did you see the story on facebook of the geep, a goat and a sheep fell in love….the result was a baby geep…I would have thought Shoal would be a better name! Welcome back!!
On March 9, 2015 at 7:38 pm
sesamekaren says:
Oops…. shoat!!
On March 9, 2015 at 7:40 pm
California Paintbrush says:
I’d like to hear about that adventure from Precious’ viewpoint! Where did she stay while you were on the stand?
I just might have to have a workshop for you in sunny CA: How to soak in the hot tub, Picking flowers 101, Tour the beautiful SF Bay Area, etc. We could only serve you California wine . . . we are rationing water here.
But then what would you do with all your animals stuck in the winter weather. :sun:
On March 9, 2015 at 8:44 pm
WvSky says:
Welcome back Suzanne (I really know how to pick em) McMinn! 😆
On March 9, 2015 at 9:01 pm
trudyh says:
That’s great that they sent someone to get you. I had no idea courts did that.
On March 10, 2015 at 8:25 am
Joell says:
:happyflower:
Suzanne–good for you, you are woman, and we have heard you roar nothing like legal revenge to help wounds heal.
Hopfully the weather is improving and the sun will shine again, in all aspects of your life.
Precious came to you are the right time.
Take care.
On March 10, 2015 at 4:12 pm
angiemay says:
You are a strong woman, Suzanne! Way to go and we are all proud of you 🙂
On March 11, 2015 at 2:25 pm
lesliedgray says:
For whatever it is worth, I am proud of you too.. I am glad you made it home safely.
On March 12, 2015 at 3:01 pm
holstein woman says:
I just looked at the old post about the road to the old farm in the snow. No matter how much it snows you are better off where you are and I for one am very happy for you.
On March 14, 2015 at 11:13 am