Winter storm 2026

It's not as if we were not warned. 

Last week the TV weather folks kept warning us of a huge winter weather event that would hit a big part of the U.S., including our area, starting at the end of the week and packing a huge punch over the weekend. 

I have great respect for the meteorologists who predict the weather. I understand it is not an exact science and how what is forecast does not always happen exactly as narrated. But they are often VERY accurate, and I have learned it's not a bad idea to listen to them and govern myself accordingly. 

I do not go into panic mode when snow and ice are predicted. Sure, Wife or I will make a trip to the grocery store to stock up on a few things if we think we will be housebound for a couple of days. But (a) we have never been housebound more than a couple of days because, when winter weather has been concerned, we have always been able to get out after a day; and (b) in a worst-case scenario, we could eat from our pantry and/or our refrigerator or freezer for a number of days if we needed to. 

We were told, however, that this storm, because of ice and long-term cold that would accompany it, could bring power outages. 

So, how do we prepare for a winter storm with a possible power outage? I cover up the outside faucets. When bitter cold sets in, I drip the inside faucets and open the doors beneath the sinks so warm air might circulate around the pipes. We also power up the little battery packs we have that can charge our cell phones. We make sure we have flashlights and candles. 

We do not own a generator, and our fireplace has gas logs (which we updated a year ago), so there is no fuel to obtain nor wood to chop. Power outages in the past, caused by storms any time of year, have generally lasted less than 24 hours. 

The snow started last Saturday morning, right on schedule. We got maybe a couple of inches. About an hour after it stopped, sleet began and a thin layer of ice topped the snow. That lasted maybe an hour. Although we were not going anywhere, cars were still moving along our street and things seemed fine. 

We went to bed Saturday night hoping we had dodged a bullet. 

No such luck. Freezing rain overnight brought another layer of ice that covered everything. Our power went out at 6:30 a.m. I write this 72 hours later and power has not been restored. For our power company, outages numbered about 220,000 in the greater Nashville area, and as of this morning, power has been restored for about half. That does not include us.

Wife and I got up Sunday morning and assessed the situation. We decided to hunker down at the house. We pulled two chairs in front of the fireplace to maximize the benefit of the gas logs, which do emit some heat. 

We opened the refrigerator and stocked two coolers with provisions. We have a gas cooktop, so we could cook on top of the stove. 

And oh yeah, when we looked out the window, we saw that major parts of two trees along had collapsed under the weight of the ice and were strewn across the driveway. We were not going anywhere until that was cleared. I sent a text to my lawn guy and asked how soon he could send a crew. He said it would be at least Tuesday. 

We got cozy in front of the fire. We set up a card table and Wife taught me to play mahjong. (More on that in a subsequent post). We used our phones sparingly to preserve their power. 

Our next-door neighbors came over with lunch. They also have a gas cooktop and had made a big pot of chili, and they brought that, a bag of chips, soft drinks and additions for the chili like cheese and sour cream. It was so very kind of them. 

We did fine Sunday. The thermometer on the thermostat hovered around the low 60s. After sundown, it went into the high 50s. 

At bedtime, we warmed blankets by the fire, then ran upstairs to our bedroom. All bundled up, we slept pretty well, dreaming about awaking to power restoration which was, in fact, only in our dreams. 

Monday afternoon some friends in another part of town with power took pity on us and came to get us. We've been here ever since, although my friend took me home yesterday so I could be there when the yard crew cleared the trees. It was 40 degrees inside the house. After that I was able to get out of the garage and driveway, so I came back to their house. We are still here. 

Will today be the day for power restoration? We can only hope. 

The winter storm of 2026 will not soon be forgotten. 

2026: State of the Blog

My friend TB, over at The Forty-Five, at the first of each year posts a primer on his blog, explaining the names and labels he uses, giving his readers and friends a summary of his life as he relates it on his blog. 

During the past 18 months or so, he has relocated, so he reminds readers what terms such as "New Home" and "New Home 2.0" mean. I appreciate his style of writing and his updates. 

I am a little more open, using my real name and location, so I don't need to make any such explanations. But taking my cue from him, I feel inclined to write some type of "state of the blog" at the beginning of this year. 

I started this blog in 2008 at the encouragement of my friend Kelly, a childhood friend. She and I don't remember when and where we first met (although it was likely in the church nursery), but we also don't remember ever not knowing each other! 

So, Kelly got me started and I've been here ever since. Things have definitely changed over the years, and I have changed some myself. If you were to look at some of my early posts, you might think, today, I would be a card-carrying member of MAGA. Nothing could be further from the truth, as I have made no secret of my disdain for the current occupant of the White House, and I am pleased to say I have never voted for him. 

My situation might be somewhat like Ronald Reagan's when he became a Republican, saying he did not leave the Democratic Party but, rather, it left him. 

For me, I suppose it would be the other way around, but I was never a staunch Republican and I sure as heck am not, and never have been, a Democrat. Over the course of my life, I have probably voted for GOP candidates more than Democrats. But since Donald Trump came on the scene, my leanings have definitely changed. I will address this and related issues in a subsequent post. Let's get away from politics for now. 

In 2011 I became a weekly columnist for a local online publication. My blog writing became less frequent when that happened, but I also posted links to my columns here from time to time. My column lasted until 2022 when new owners ceased running my work (not that I'm bitter). 

With the end of my column, I started writing on Substack. Readers of my column followed me there, and I have a decent following. Some of you are also subscribers. If you would like to subscribe, here is the link: Bob McKinney: What I Know | Substack. You'll get each installment in an email. Please be assure I understand if this blog is plenty for you. 

So, what is the difference between this blog and my Substack? I am glad you asked. 

The Substack is a continuation of the column I wrote, which was titled "What I Know." The tagline says it best: Everyman. Life Observations. Occasional Opinions. I will write about any number of topics, including but not limited to books, food, family life, friends, local issues -- whatever might be on my mind, and I try to write in an upbeat manner with a healthy dose of humor. And yes, I'll occasionally express an opinion. Readers are able to interact with me via comments or direct emails, which I thoroughly enjoy. 

This Monday on my Substack, I'll be posting a somewhat tongue-in-cheek report from the annual meeting of the Bob McKinney: What I Know Substack Steering Committee. I say tongue-in-cheek because the committee consists of one member, me, and the annual meeting is very much a reason for me to enjoy my favorite local taproom for an hour or so. But, as Monday's column will confirm, I really do hold the "meeting" and set some goals. 

The blog is more personal. Over the years I have made some friends here, and the folks and their blogs listed on my sidebar make up what I think of as a community of sorts. And while I write here less than I did in those early days, I still very much enjoy it and especially enjoy the interaction with those of you who read and comment. Even more, I enjoy reading your blogs. 

I am more likely to share details here about matters affecting my family, such as my son-in-law's cancer or my retirement. I also post pictures from vacations or certain events. If it happens to snow here, you can bet you'll see a picture of it here. 😀

With my recent retirement, I might write more at both places. I have renewed my commitment to weekly posting on my Substack -- we will see!  With this being my second post of 2026 in this space, I think I am off to a good start here. 

So that's the state of things as this year begins. I'll continue telling some stories and I'll look forward to reading yours. 

Cheers. 

International Christmas Eve: Spain

I did not get very good pictures, but in keeping with my practice to report on my family's annual international Christmas Eve here, I will post these. 

As has been our custom for the past decade or so, we observed Christmas Eve Dec. 26th and Christmas Day Dec. 27th. We had everyone here -- 14 humans. (Next year there will be 15, as Younger Son and his lovely wife are expecting baby #2, a girl, in June!)

This year was Spain. Decorations were bright colored flowers, both real and paper, along with a Spanish flag and banners also with bright colors. Ladies had the option of wearing decorative headpieces while some of the men wore fedoras. 

As usual, we started in the entry hall with appetizers (Wife made a Spanish themed charcuterie board) and drinks (sangria and a Spanish beer, Estelle Damm). For dinner, we got tapas from a local Spanish restaurant which Wife and I had tried a couple of weeks before. All were delicious and we all enjoyed the ease of it, especially Wife. 

Now that the children are older, they also participate in the fun. 

As they say in Spain, "Todos lo pasaron bien!" (A good time was had by all!)