BLIZZARD AFTERMATH

Snow ended early this morning.  That should be all of it for a few days.   The weather report shows  next week with just a few flurries and temps near forty over the weekend.   All total, out of these back to back storms we probably got well over two feet.

A good three feet of snow pack with deeper drifts.

The wind keeps the west side of our house  somewhat clear.

We went into town Tuesday morning before the storm and stopped by the health food store for local eggs and butter, and found that summer garden seeds were on display.  Actually that is the first sign of spring, and it's kind of positive, with all the crap that is going on politically. to see something that indicates that life is still going on as usual.  

2016 was a hectic year for us: my wife diagnosed with breast cancer - her surgery, and back-and-forth trips for radiation treatment and check ups.  She is cancer free now and I want this summer to be a stress free time we can spend with each other and do the simple things we enjoy together. 

Solstice is thirty-two days away.  I don't know if  the snow will be gone and we will be able to dance naked in the back yard to celebrate the change of season - we may need snow shoes.

the Ol'Buzzard

HIGH WINDS - SNOW BLOWING HORIZONTALLY

THE HOUSE IS ROCKING

Turn up your volume for old time boogie woogie.

the Ol'Buzzard

WHEN IT’S WINTER UP IN MAINE…

Well, the noreaster (blizzard) has finally arrived in western Maine.    It was supposed to hit last night about midnight, but is must have stopped in Boston for some Baked Beans because the first light windblown snow started about an hour ago at seven a.m.

The news media is hyping this storm as a “monster storm,” but they are predicting less than two feet here in Maine.   Granted that is a considerable amount of snow in one storm, but for Christ sake this is Maine; and if you can’t handle a couple of feet of snow you need to move away.

Actually, here in the western mountains, it is not the snow we worry about; but as the snow accumulates the snow zombies roam down from Canada.   These are the creatures we scare the children with when they don’t behave: ‘The Canadian snow zombies will get you when you go sledding if you don’t eat your brussels sprouts.’

The danger from snow zombies is you can’t see them.   You are zipping down the ski trail on your cross country skis, or snowshoeing through the woodlot behind your house and the damn things rise out of the snow as you pass by, and are on you before you realize. 

Unlike the zombies in all the phony, unrealistic movies, the Canadian snow zombies often carry weapons.  They will either beat you to a bloody pulp with a carrion bone or slice you up with a sword before feasting on your body. 

   We won’t even mention what they will do to you if they catch you with your pants down taking a dump in the woods.   It is scary.

Realistically, you can’t kill a zombie.   They are already dead.  So, the idea that you can shoot them with a pistol or kill them with a cross bow is ludicrous.   The only thing the snow zombie is afraid of is a snow blower, and I gassed mine up yesterday.   

I don’t ski any more but I do occasionally snow shoe: but not this storm.   Because of the depth of the fresh accumulation forecast I think I will stay in the house until the threat of snow zombies has passed.   I will, however, have to go out back and clear and fill the bird feeders; so if I suddenly stop blogging you will know the worst has happened.

the Ol’Buzzard 

      

  

STORM PREPARATION

Our last big snow storm 08

We have it coming: A major Noreaster (a blizzard to those who don’t speak Maine.)    The snow is due to start Monday night and continue into Wednesday.  Most Noreasters last from six to eight hours but according to forecast this one will stall and continue for more than twenty four hours. 

I don’t mind.   I have been complaining all of January that we haven’t received enough snow to bank the house.  We got approximately a foot in early January and then came rain so we have ended with about five inches of frozen, crunchy, ice crystal snow cover that has endured until now.  

The snow predictions range from eighteen to thirty-six inches with high winds, according to which computer model you pay attention to.

So preparations begin:  we will go into town tomorrow and shop to stock up the food larder.   Fresh vegies keep well and will give us salads.  Can goods including tuna, salmon and beans are a good put by.   We will likely lose electricity for and extended time but we can cook on the gas stovetop and move perishables into the back hall as temps are predicted in the single numbers to below zero at night.   We have put new batteries in our flashlights and in our battery operated lantern, we also have an oil lamp and gas lamps installed in the living room and kitchen.  We have six gallons of water for flushing the toilet and twelve gallons for drinking.   I moved about a quarter cord of wood to my wood storage unit by the back door and filled my normal storage on the back porch. 

Holds a quarter of a cord filled.

Tomorrow I will fill the snow blower with gas and start it and run it for a few minutes.  The shovel is by the back door.   I also filled the bird feeders and will probably have to make trips out back to keep them clear of snow.

We don’t have a check list, but have done this enough that it is second nature. 

It will be time for books and games and snuggle down with the cats; a not all together unpleasant prospect.  

the Ol’Buzzard