Frozen Green Beans, et al...

February 15, 2021

Houston, Texas? Subtropical? Sounds delightful in February! Get away from the ice and snow and subzero temperatures, they said. Houston might have the occasional 40 degree day that time of year, but never for long, they said.

So we headed west from Louisiana. We zigged when we should have zagged from a weather perspective. But as a wise friend once told me, just when you think your trip is going the worst direction, is when the blessing comes.

We arrived after a harrowing 6 hour drive as the temperatures hovered at or just below freeing a

nd the rain gently fell. The “Welcome to Sugar Land” Banner made it all worth it as my nieces jumped up and down in the subzero temperatures and my children squealed with excitement. We finished setting up at our new “home” campsite for the month just as the ice began to pelt us and the roads began to freeze.

We are now lovingly referring to ourselves as the refugees. We packed up our dirty clothes and pillows and are camping out at my brother’s house until the water at our campsite starts working again. The Great Pretender is warm, but without running water is a difficult place to live, especially considering that most stores have sold out of water. So here we stay, sad to be away from our home, and yet grateful for the hospitality of my brother and sister in law, from welcome dinners of filet with flamed brandy, to pancake breakfasts, chocolate fondue, homemade empanada making and fresh baguettes., and that’s all in two days.

We have learned a lot about this great state of Texas in the last two days since arriving. The first of which is that it does’t freeze here very often. The second is that when it does freeze, the town shuts down, everyone forgets how to drive, and the whole city’s water pipes freeze… even the green beans in the outside fridge freeze. Be flexible. Enjoy the adventure. And enjoy the frozen beans.