Detroit, Michigan, Weather Might Make for a White Christmas

The authorities forewarned us on Saturday evening December 15th, that it would be at least 10 inches of snow to cover our streets and homes by the next morning. And you better believe the people of Detroit and surrounding areas were quickly gathering shovels and salt, heading to their front doors.

By 8 PM, Saturday night, the snow had fell to a few inches, already covering sidewalks, streets and roofs. And by 10 p.m. that night, the flurries were larger and in full speed, landing to create a thick, white blanket over the city. You could hear the wind whistling from inside your home. Just thinking back to it, makes me tremble with chills-it was just that cold!

A neighbor on our block, Clint Lacey had a hustle in mind, he grabbed his shovel and went to the homes where elderly people lived to assist them in getting a jump on the ten inches of snow that would be blocking their porches and walkways. He wasn't the only one. Paul Burks, another neighbor was out shoveling his porch and walkways as well. "It's going to be at least ten inches, and I'm not going to be able to shovel all of that, so I'm getting a jump on it right now," he stated as he overfilled the shovel and tossed the snow to a pile that seemed to grow by the heaps. It wasn't a joke and it was definitely for real as the residents took in account of how much snow was really going to fall by daybreak of the next day.

Even though Michiganders are not strangers to this type of weather, it's still a horrid ordeal. According to reports in the

What people are labeling as "The Blizzard of '07", did its fair share and some as damage to the Motor City; with a report of at least

Pastor Tolan A. Morgan Sr of New St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church on Lakewood and Kercheval-on Detroit's east side, wanted to ensure the safety of his church members, and cancelled worship services for that Sunday, December 16^th. "I'm sure he didn't want any of us risking our lives out here in this bad weather," Daisy Snowden remarked as she spoke of how much snow had fallen, and what she was shoveling. "I'm so thankful that the man down the street [Ras Lockey] came by and helped me finish-I don't think I would have been able to push that snow down by the street."

Although it may have been a mess for most of the residents in that area, it was pure joy for some others! Who would have thought? I witnessed some of the neighborhood children playing out in the thick blanket; making snowballs and of course having a snowball fight. It was a treat for some pets as well. My uncle has a dog named Sarge, and well, Sarge loves the snow! My uncle Woodrow Snowden stated that Sarge eats and plays with the snow. So, I'm sure Sarge had a ball on Sunday morning while my uncle worked to clear paths from his home to the street. We asked him how Sarge was taking all the snow. "He's shoveling it in his own way," Woodrow said. "Sarge has taken his nose and made his own shovel. He was head-full into the snow."

Well, all I have to say about that is: Some like it and some don't! Detroit News, Michiganders hadn't seen a storm like this since 1999. And this storm brought more than five inches in the Southeastern part, and at least 10 ½ in other parts of the state and two storm-related deaths. Of course there were reports of possible school closings throughout the city, and a few more of several small stores and boutiques were closed on Sunday, December 16th.