Always Learning, Ever Growing: Eastern Washington Vs. Southwest Virginia

At this time last year, approximately 80 inches of snow had fallen in Spokane and there was still about 4-5 feet still on the ground. Roofs collapsed, roads had snow on them all winter, some piles were one story high, and kids had numerous snow days. It was rediculous! There was more snow in Spokane last winter than there ever has been on record. On the other hand, Roanoke (and the surrounding areas) had one snow storm which dropped about an inch. If I recall correctly, it was mostly gone the next day. Scroll down for pictures of last year's comparisons.

According to my sources, the Newport, WA area (about 40 miles north of Spokane) has had about 12 inches of snow total this winter. There may have been less in Spokane. A typical winter has at least 30 inches total for the winter. So far we have had anywhere between 20-30 inches in southwest Virginia! That's in just two storms! The theory is that I am the one bringing the bad weather to Virginia. If you knew all the bad weather patterns that have taken place in Roanoke while I was here since I started visiting three years ago, you would think so too! I don't have pictures of this year's snow falls...just imagine none in Spokane and 10 inches in Virginia!

On a completely unrelated topic, Will threw his back out today. It was feeling sore all morning then as he was getting ready to go to work, he twinged it somehow and there it went! His back goes out every couple of years but it has always been his lower back, affecting his ability to walk. This time it is in the middle of his back and his arm movements are affected. The muscles seem to tighten up to the point where it feels like he can't breathe well. He can't lift a single thing and has a difficult time getting up and down. Has this happened to any of you or do you know someone who this has happened to? What did you do? We have been putting a heating pad on it and he is just resting as much as possible but gets up to walk around every now and then so he doesn't get too stiff. It seems to help when pressure is put on his back. I have been hugging him all day and squeezing my arms around him where the pain is. It takes almost all the pain away while the pressure is there. I don't know what else we can do to put pressure like that on it all the time. It would probably help though. Thankfully Isaiah has been a gem while I have been taking care of his daddy. Please pray that Will's back gets better quickly. He needs to get back to work. Thank you very much!

To all of you east coasters, enjoy the snow!

The view off my front porch in Spokane. Note the height of the snow bank next to my car. This was in December, only the beginning of the dumping of the snow!