Friday Morning With North Texas & Dallas/Fort Worth Under Record Breaking Snowfall, School Canceled, Power Outages

It is over an hour til the sun shows up. The picture I took a few minutes ago, from my patio window, does not do justice to the pile of snow out there.

Thursday's snowstorm continued well after the sun set. By midnight the official National Weather Service location for D/FW, that being Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, had recorded a new one day record of 11.2 inches. And the white stuff was still falling. By 4am the 24 hour total was 12.4 inches.

The snow piled heavy on tree limbs, which by 8pm had wreaked havoc with power lines to the tune of over 70,000 people powerless in the D/FW Metroplex.

Most Dallas/Fort Worth area schools have canceled Friday classes. If you were were supposed to show up in Tarrant County court today due to jury duty, don't bother til Tuesday.

Road conditions are expected to be terrible this morning, possibly impossibly impassible. Currently at a bit past 6am it is 31. The predicted high for today is only 35, which would seem to indicate we will not be seeing any fast melting.

Meanwhile, while we here in the south, in North Texas, are under a thick cold blanket of snow, up north, in Vancouver, desperate measures are in play to get a snow covering on some of the Olympic venues slated to need snow real soon.

Anne Mitchell Acquitted By West Texas Jury After Less Than An Hour Deliberation

Well. What a day. Justice has prevailed in West Texas.

Well, a bit of justice has prevailed, in that Nurse Anne Mitchell has been acquitted by a West Texas jury in a bizarre case where the nurse had been arrested, accused and indicted for committing the imaginary crime of reporting a malpracticing doctor to the appropriate authorities.

Out of the Kermit Nurse Scandal many Kermit dirty deeds have been slithering to the surface, like rattlesnakes in the spring. The Kermit Nurse Scandal may be setting in motion the cleaning up of what, apparently, has long been a really creepy town.

The ridiculous trial part of Nurse Anne Mitchell's Kermit ordeal is over. But that does not mean she is whole. As in restored to her pre, damaged by Dr. Arafiles and Kermit, state.

Anne Mitchell and her fellow victim, Nurse Vickilyn Galle, have civil lawsuits pending in federal court against Winkler county, the Kermit hospital, Dr. Arafiles and various officials, including, I would hope, the obviously corrupt sheriff who worked in cahoots with the malpracticing doctor to have the good nurses arrested. Nurses Mitchell and Galle charge that their firing and indictment violated their 1st Amendment rights and their right to due process.

I love the way America works. When it works the way it is intended to.

Congrats to Nurse Anne Mitchell and those who fought to do the right thing. And the jury.

And now it is time to fire and possibly indict a Kermit sheriff, named Robert L. Roberts. He needs to face jail time via an indictment and a conviction.

I love poetic justice. Oh, I forgot to mention, there is a doctor in Kermit who needs to have his license to practice medicine taken away. Last name Arafiles. He should be easy to locate.

The Great 2010 North Texas Snowstorm Is Now Over 12 Hours Old & It Is Still Snowing In Fort Worth

We are over 12 hours into the biggest snow storm to hit North Texas in decades. It is still snowing hard and still hovering at 32 degrees. In a couple hours it will be a frozen, icy, slippery, dangerous mess out there.

At 3 I decided to brave the elements, once more, to see if I could free a mechanized transport from its white blanket and get mobile.

As you can see in the picture a giant snowball head has grown in front of my snow covered van. The snowball head appears to be wearing a stocking cap, complete with a ball on top and is sporting a toothy grin and big orange eyeballs.

The snowman I showed you previously, the one with the big, misshapen derriere, has gone missing. I suspect that snowman morphed into the big, grinning snowball head.

The conditions are not conducive to a satisfying cross country skiing experience. That requires a more solidly frozen base. The base out there, in places, is a slushy mess. The skis sink to the slush and it becomes a tough, un-fun slog through the snow.

The few drivers I saw on the road appear to be driving with extreme caution. I ran into some icy spots walking, I suspect there are plenty of icy spots, already, on the roads.

As you can see, the other mechanized transport device, that I showed you being inoperable earlier, is now even more inoperable, without a lot of snow and ice removal.

I have never come to possess snow and ice removal equipment of the sort that were always kept in my vehicles in Washington, due to the need here, in Texas, being so rare. Right now I wish I had an ice scraper. Have you ever tried scraping windows with a credit card? It is slow going.

After I was done checking out the snow status of the transport devices I decided to check on the pool.
What you are looking at in the picture is the fountain that flows water into the pool. This creates a soothing babbling brook sound effect that I like at night when my windows are open.

Something about the juxtaposition of the icy blue of the pool and the bright white of the snow makes me want to get into the water. I let the feeling pass without taking any action.

So, that's my Texas Snow Day, so far. As of right now the snow appears to have slowed up quite a bit. It has been at this point several times today, and then come roaring back. Which seems to be happening even as I type.

I keep getting comments, today, from Snow Day Home Bound Garth the Texan, seeming evermore happy as he imbibes in his Kermit doctor prescribed tonic. I think it has a high alcohol content.

The Snow Continues To Pile Up At 2 In The Afternoon In Fort Worth

That is the afternoon view from my patio window, coming up on 2 and hour 11 of the biggest snow storm to hit these parts of Texas in almost 3 decades.

So far we seem to have accumulated between 4 and 5 inches of the white stuff. If the forecast is accurate the freezing faucet should turn off around the 6 inch mark.

Currently, it is still freezing and still snowing hard, with big flakes.

Many people across the D/FW Metroplex are having themselves a Snow Day.

For instance, it appears Garth the Texan is home today, sending out dozens of blog comments, after consuming his doctor's order quota of Irish Coffee. I thought I remembered Garth the Texan telling me he did not like coffee, preferring Dr Pepper. I remember being appalled when I heard that, because I could not see the connection between that sickly sweet cherry flavored drink and coffee.

So, maybe Garth is drinking Irish Dr Pepper and slightly not following his doctor's orders. I assume since Garth's doctor prescribed Irish Whiskey to a diabetic, perennially prone to attacks of the vapors, that Garth's doctor must me one of those infamous Kermit doctors currently making the national/world news.

I could use some of Garth the Texans' Irish Coffee right about now. I'm cold. And going stir crazy. But I don't feel like going through the hassle of going cross country skiing again. It was not all that much fun, with no hills.

Cross Country Skiing Over To Miss Puerto Rico's While The Snow Continues To Fall On Fort Worth

The snow continues to pile up, here in Fort Worth, with 1 hour to go before noon.

I decided to take a slide on the adventurous side and drag my cross country skis out of the closet. I thought the skis had delaminated, but apparently that must have only happened in one of my nightmares.

It has probably been at least 6 years since I've been on cross country skis. It is sort of like riding a bike, roller blading or playing tennis, as in very easy to get back into slipping and sliding mode.

I decided to ski over to Miss Puerto Rico's to get a picture of the white view from her balcony. There are not many vehicles out there mucking up the streets. I only have to negotiate a couple roads between here and the aforementioned balcony. A passing Fort Worth bus did inconvenience me by launching a splash of slushy snow in my direction, which I artfully dodged.

Above you see the aforementioned Fort Worth bus, careening down the hill towards me. I am under the protection of tree leaves, so there is not a lot of snow in the foreground. When the bus passed it caused snow to fall out of the trees, on to me. I did not care much for that unexpected additional snowfall.

My skiing route took me by my pool. You can sort of see why it did not seem like a good idea to go swimming this morning. Although the hot tub likely would have been pleasant, with the falling snowflakes having a nice cooling effect, obviating the need for repeated cool down dips in the pool. The hot tub is that thing you see on the right, spitting water into the pool.

It is still freezing out there and still snowing. The forecast has been changed to an expectation of an accumulation of around 6 inches. D/FW International Airport is having trouble getting planes in the air. And out of the air.

My source for the D/FW Airport information is Jovo the Newshound. Jovo is monitoring the storm from his outpost in Sulphur Springs, where he also plans to go skiing, except without cross country skis. Jovo is going to make his sliding attempt using conventional downhill type skis. Good luck with that, Jovo!

Way too much snow is covering my vehicle right now. I am hoping, if the temperature goes above freezing, clearing the snow will be fairly easy. Then I can escape from here by motorized means. If the snow keeps getting deeper I may go for Round Two of cross country skiing.

While I was sliding around I saw other people out having fun with the snow. I saw one snowball fight, several people taking pictures, one adult pulling 2 kids on a sled and 2 guys working on a snowman.

I have never been a big fan of constructing men from snow. Way too quickly the ball of snow grows way too big and then is way too difficult to lift into position. A properly built, conventional snowman consists of 3 snowballs. According to the Frosty the Snowman Guidebook to Successful Snowman Construction.

My aversion to rolling balls of snow may have something to do with the fact that I've likely not done so since I was a little kid. Now that I'm a big kid I likely would have an easier time of rolling and lifting the heavy balls of frozen water. But, I fear at my almost elderly age and relative frailty, I'd likely manage to put my back out if I were to attempt to build a proper snowman.

Due, likely, to the lack of opportunity to learn snowman building skills, due to the infrequency of snow in this zone of Texas, the snowman I saw this morning was not the most attractive of that species that I've seen. First off, he is made of only 2 balls.

This snowman's front side is covered with a big shirt, leaving the backside completely naked. This snowman's big misshapen rear put me in mind of my visit to Wal-Mart yesterday.

Below is the last snowy Texas view I'm showing you for now. This is the look to the west from my abode, at the forest of trees across the street, all whited up into Winter Wonderland mode.

The Sun Is Up And Lighting Up A Very White North Texas While Snow Continues To Fall

Dawn has now broken in North Texas, with the sun trying to light up the place. Snow continues to blanket the ground.

The current view from my patio door window is now quite white. The flashing camera makes the snowflakes look like twinkling stars.

When I lived in Washington, in the Banana Belt Skagit Valley, where it rarely snowed, I developed an extreme fondness for the rare snow days. Mostly, I suspect, because, if enough snow fell, school might get canceled. That always seemed like a Christmas present.

Sadly, the best snowstorm of my school in Washington years occurred during Christmas vacation. If I remember right, that snowstorm occurred when I was a Junior in high school. That snow storm is the only one I ever remember hitting the Skagit Valley that resulted in snowdrifts.

40 miles north of the Skagit Valley, in Lynden, where my grandma's lived, that area of Washington is in a completely different climate zone from the Skagit Valley. Cold Arctic air comes down the Fraser River Valley and heads out to sea, blocked, usually, from hitting the Skagit Valley, due to a conveniently placed mountain range, but that cold air hits Lynden and Whatcom County, bringing a lot of snow, as in several feet, at times, and heavy winds that cause big snowdrifts, drifts so tall they reach the roofs of barns.

North Texas has no mountains, nothing to cause weather systems to affect one area differently than another, as far as I know. So, I suspect all of North Texas is being quite bright white today. I've not heard, yet, if schools are closing.

I may drag out my cross country skis today, if the white stuff keeps accumulating. Currently, at almost 8am, we are still below freezing and the snow keeps falling.

The Predicted Thursday Snowstorm Has Arrived Coloring North Texas White

You are looking at the same view out my patio door window I've been showing you the past couple days.

Three days ago the view was gray and wet, the day after that the view was clear and blue, the day after that the view was gray again.

And, now this morning, Thursday at 6am, the view out my patio door window is black and white, with the white being provided by snow.

Yes, the predicted snow has arrived. Apparently really big flakes started hitting the ground around 3am. I was not up to see them, but I did hear something hitting my bedroom window.

The National Weather Service currently has us, here in long-suffering cold North Texas, under a Winter Storm Warning until midnight.

The sun should be trying to shine a light on the white in about a half hour. I will not be braving the elements to experience an icy, snowy walk to the pool this morning. I will likely be housebound today. I expect to be quite cranky by the time noon rolls around.

I am low on my supply of vittles. I probably have enough to last a day or two. I suppose if I get desperate I can walk across the street to Albertsons. I do not like Alberstsons. But sometimes desperate times require desperate measures.

An Offbeat Writer & A Truly Frivolous Lawsuit: The State of Texas vs. Anne Mitchell

The bizarre case of Texas vs. Anne Mitchell, taking place out in Kermit, Texas, has quickly grown to scandal status as the rest of America and the world looks in on the latest goofy gift from Texas to the world.

This very blog you are looking at right now has been being a bit more busy than usual, due to the bloggings about the Kermit Nurse Scandal. This has generated a lot of interesting comments. I mentioned that fact earlier today.

I think the most damning, as in damningly revealing revelation, has been the YouTube video of the now notorious Doctor at the heart of the scandal, Rolando Arafiles, peddling snake oil on one of those obscure Christian TV Shows that gum up the airways.

One of the reasons my bloggings about this subject are getting a lot of readers is various forums and websites have linked to the bloggings. One very insightful website, that being "Rethinking Patient Safety" linked to my bloggings and exclaimed that "Durango just became my favorite offbeat writer, posting a performance of Dr. Arafiles on a religious television channel."

Now, this is a first. I feel like I've won an award or something. In all my decades I don't previously recollect ever being referred to as "offbeat." I'm truly touched.

I Was SAD Seeing Way Too Many Texas Balloon People Waddling Around Wal-Mart Today

You are looking at my very SAD (Seasonally Affected Disorder) view out my patio window, this very dreary Wednesday, in cold, cloudy Texas.

Yesterday's return to blue sky was a fluke. Gray skies is the new Texas norm.

Snow is still in the forecast, supposedly happening anytime now, with a 100% chance of snow or rain tomorrow.

I had a morning full of aggravation and annoyance, followed by an early afternoon of some more aggravation and annoyance.

About 2 I decided to escape the aggravation and annoyance and go to Village Creek Natural Historic Area for some natural communing with nature.

Had I been thinking clearly and not distracted by all that aggravation and annoyance, I would have remembered we had heavy rain 2 days ago, which rendered Village Creek closed to pedestrian traffic, due to this inconvenience that is known as flooding.

With my walking options dwindled and with me being a mile or so from my friendly neighborhood Wal-Mart Supercenter, I decided to go there and load up a cart with heavy stuff and push it for a couple miles.

I should have asked a shopper or two if they'd like a ride. I saw a lot of plus-sized balloon people waddling about today. The way too many obese people issue hasn't been at the forefront of my imagination of late, but today I saw some distortions of the human form that had me all appalled.

Why do some humans let themselves go to such a shocking degree? At what point do they quit caring? Or did they ever care? It's not just the obesity, it's also the overall slovenliness, the unkemptness of the hair, the ill-fitting clothes, stretching material beyond what fabric making science intended.

Now, I am in no way, even remotely, any sort of a bigot. But I have to say, my fellow Anglos are the worst offenders. My African American neighbors, who I see walking about Wal-Mart, do so, for the most part, with way more style and way less weight. This is particularly noticeable on Sunday after church, the style part. Now, my Hispanic neighbors, they sort of trend towards the Anglos in terms of obesity and level of slovenleness.

Now the ethnic group I think we could all do well to emulate.

The Asians.

I go to Arlington's Chinatown and see all these well-dressed, some stylishly in native garb, Vietnamese, Laotians, Cambodians, Thai, Chinese, Koreans. The Asians eat better, dress better and look better, weight-wise, than the Americans, both South and North (continents), the Africans and the Europeans.

It's appalling. I think America collectively, for the most part, really needs to go on a diet. This would be beneficial in so many ways. Let's make it a goal that within 20 years the Europeans no longer refer to us as the "Balloon People."

It's a worthy goal.

The Kermit Nurse Scandal Grows With Revelation Of Earlier Dr. Arafiles Malpractice Charges

The Kermit Nurse Scandal continues to be scandalous. My two bloggings about this West Texas Scandal has generated the most comments since I blogged about the Only Child Syndrome Scandal. In the first blogging about the Kermit Nurse Scandal I just wrote an overview of the bizarre legal authority misconduct taking place in Kermit, bringing a nurse, Anne Mitchell, to trial because she reported bad practices by a bad doctor to the appropriate Texas medical authority.

I blogged again about the Kermit Nurse Scandal after Anonymous sent me a link to a YouTube video of the doctor at the heart of the scandal, Rolando German Arafiles, Jr. M.D., where the doctor is on some Christian Network TV show trying to sell snake oil.

The comments have been very interesting. A couple comments, of course from Anonymous, come to the defense of the doctor and Kermit and paint Nurse Mitchell as an evil doer. Go to the first blogging about the Kermit Nurse Scandal to read that comment. It's the first comment, followed by many more comments, with the commenters appalled at the first Anonymouses' anonymous comment.

Then I got a comment from another Anonymous telling me that Dr. Arafiles has gotten in trouble before, back in 2007. Apparently for running some sort of quack diet clinic where he overprescibed potent pills, among other bad behaviors. That is a snapshot of Dr. Arafiles signature on the document in which he agrees to pay a fine and cease the bad behaviors, among a lot of other legalese. You can read the entire Texas Medical Board review of Dr. Arafiles license to practice medicine.

And then another Anonymous said...

As a nurse who has practiced in many states, I think this is scary. What this nurse has done is to rock the ol'boy network that still apparently exists in Texas. We see this in Georgia to some extent. If she cites her state's nurse practice act--she should be covered. The public would cringe if they knew the full extent of the poor medical practices that nurses witness. So, this nurse must have seen more than she could bear to look away from. If she looses this fight, the nurses of Texas should pack up and move to a state where they are appreciated.

A non-Anonymous calling herself kdmidd tell us her harrowing personal experience with the Kermit Hospital and the doctors who "practice" there....

When I was ten years old I broke my leg and was taken to Kermit Hospital before being transported to Odessa. The Doctor on duty in Kermit that night gave a 10 year old girl enough morphine for a 45 year old 200lbs man...then sent me on an ambulance 45 miles to Odessa without a splint on my leg- apparently forgetting that my leg was CROOKED- Kermit hospital is crap at best...and maybe they wouldnt be if they could bring in a decent Dr...they've had kooks for years...who else would choose to practice there?

And then another Anonymous charges Nurse Mitchell with rule violations...

Nurse Mitchell has violated HIPPA, you know those little rules that protect patient confidentiality? She and her cohort failed to BLACK OUT patient names when reporting the malpractice to the proper authorities. Ooops, should have been a bit more careful. You'd think a NURSE with all her experience and years of training would of remembered something like that...does make one wonder. And a whole host of people are being subpoenaed, seems like they were all standing nearby and overheard the nurses discussing openly these patients and their conditions, uh oh...isn't that another rule violation?

Things are not entirely what they seem. True, they seem to be incredulous, but only to the outside observer. The town of Kermit follows the Good Ol Boy handbook. You can find this book filed in the W Library over in Midland, he was the author.

To which another Anonymous was a Voice Reason, unlike the previous Anonymouses' illogical gibberish...

This is horrendous for all healthcare nurses, risk managers and compliance officers.

When as one of these professional encounter a fellow healthcare provider who, in our professional judgement, is failing to practice safe medicine, we are bound by our nursing code of ethics and our state licenses to take steps to protect the welfare of our patients.

The hosptial was notifed and slapped the doctor on the wrist. Nurse Michell is being hung out to dry by the very system that is suppose to support quality medicine and reporting. I am appauled by this case and the potential implications of resultant case law.

The sheriff in this story needs to share a cell with this doctor.