ONE WEEK OF NINETY DEGREE DAYS IN MAINE !

 August 8, 2025

But in Maine

Winter is always coming.

the Ol'Buzzard

 

SNOWS THEN AND NOW

 

Old men remember.   Over a half century ago when I was a young man in Maine, you could not go into the woods in the winter without snowshoes.   Not the puney little aluminum snow shoes of today.  You needed a set of trail shoes or trappers – if you were just over 100 pounds you could probably get by with bearpaws.

 If you stepped off your snowshoes you would sink to your crotch or deeper.   We don’t have snow like that today.

 

The snow storms don’t come as often and are not as severe, then are followed by a warmup.  

 

That said, today we have an old-time storm coming into Maine. The snow just started here in western Maine and is forecast to last all day, dropping 10 to 16 inches.

 

I am located just below and east of the town of Rangeley.   In the 10-16 inch area. 

On the southern coast, the snow will turn to sleet and then freezing rain.  Undoubtedly causing power outages.

 

So, this will be a goodun; but I remember when this would have just been considered a standard storm. 

the Ol’Buzzard

A TEMPERATURE CHECK

The seasons in northern Maine are winter, mud season, bug season and fall.   Fall and winter are our favorites.

The high temperature today in the north-western mountains of Maine will be 16 degrees; but tonight the temps drop to a -6 Fahrenheit (-21 Celsius).   Tomorrow's high will be 3 degrees and tomorrow night -8.     These temperatures are concerning as people's water pipes often freeze, cars don't start and black ice can be on the roads.  

All temperatures, however, are relative.   When we lived in a Native Alaskan village north of Fairbanks we had an Alaskan thermometer that went down to -55.   There were a number of times that the mercury dropped into the bowl so we knew we were colder than -55.   At those temperatures we wore insulated clothing and only our face was uncovered in our hoods.  We didn't feel the bite of the cold as much as the sinuses in our foreheads and faces ached when outside.  The natives (Athabascans) in the village wore much lighter clothing and the cold didn't seem to bother them as much; though I would meet the elementary children at the door of the school and check them for frost bite as they entered.    When the temps came up to -20 we dressed down and it felt comparatively warm.  

This is not a complaint.  My wife and I are winter people.  We live north because we prefer the cold to the heat.  We love the snow and the crisp temperatures; but by March I am ready for them to go - by July I am looking forward to them again.  

the Ol'Buzzard

COLDER THAN A WITCH’S TIT

 

OK, PERHAPS I SHOULD HAVE SAID - COLDER THAN A NAKED MAN IN A BRASS JOCK-STRAP.

  

The fact is It’s fucking cold outside. 

 

We had an inch of snow, followed by rain that froze the world here in western Maine.   My steps, the driveway and the road are all glazed ice.   The temps aren’t that bad, only about twenty-eight degrees; but there is a steady 35-40 mile-per-hour wind blowing from the north, keeping the flag next door straight out.

 

So how cold is it. 

 

 

 

Here is a Wind Chill Chart printed by NOAA.  

If you live anywhere in the north-country you will find it interesting.   However, if you live in the north-country it won’t make any difference: we deal with it.

 

The Ol’Buzzard

 

 

 

 

We are four days from Solstice

The shortest day of the year

The beginning of winter.

the Ol'Buzzard

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

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!

My wife practices Wicca – I call her a witch.  

She always tells me to be careful what you wish for; because wishes are open ended and you never know what will come along with your desired.

Yesterday I was looking forward to the forecast blizzard.  I love a snow storm and the new white snow that seems to cleanse the earth. 

It snowed all day yesterday and last night was a whiteout.  This morning when I got up and looked out the window… I couldn’t find our car.

We had received well over two feet of snow.   

The snow was so deep it was higher than the intake mouth of my snow blower.    I had to break the snow up with a snow shovel before trying to move it with the snow blower.  In other words, I had to shovel the drive (about forty yards) before I could snow blow the driveway.  

I started at seven-thirty and finished around ten-thirty.  Three hours and my 70+ year old ass was dragging.  I still have the roofs to rake and I am going to have to break trail to my wood shed with snowshoes – but that will have to keep till tomorrow.

The snow, coming off the roof, is up to the base of our windows, and this is just December; with January and February yet to go.

 

But it is beautiful

And it is winter in Maine

And I love it.

the Ol’Buzzard

MIDNIGHT RIDER

Woke up this morning – three- o clock – the headache I had been dodging all day finally caught up with me.

 Take a BC powder and come back strong.

I am a winter person; I love the winter with snow storms, cold that nips at unexposed skin, winds that howl and white outs that obscure the landscape.   I am in my element on snow shoes, or even snow blowing my driveway and clearing my roof.   I love the warmth and glow of a woodstove.   The winter is invigorating, and reminds me like no other time that I are alive.

 

Having said that I am becoming melancholy for spring.   After weeks of temperatures in the single number and teens with nights dropping to zero or below, the last few days have been sunny with temps reaching forties – today fifty.   We still have three feet of snow cover and after living in Maine for many years I know this is just a tease; but I am ready for winter to be over.

Like the winter, I don’t mind the nights.   It is a quiet time – an alone time – a time when the world is asleep and you have it to yourself – a few lone people populating a sleeping world.

 

The headache is thankfully subsiding: or at least I have focused on something else. 

The Midnight Rider

The Ol’Buzzard

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

One week ago I published a blog post complaining that throughout the month of January we had so little snow here in Maine that I wasn't able to bank the house.  

One week later and three major snow storms, the Goddess whose job it is to keep men humble has bestowed her satirical blessing.

We now have about thirty inches of standing snow and drifts that are deeper.   I normally wouldn't complain; but Her benevolence didn't stop there.

This morning I got up at daybreak to clear the driveway of the ten inches that had fallen over night.   The temperature was four below.   I pulled the snow blower out of the shed and tried to start it, but the engine would barely turn over.   I was not overly concerned, as the little nine horse has an electric starter.   I ran an extension cord from the back porch to the shed, pumped the primer, set full choke and hit the start button.    The starter motor spun, the engine caught immediately, but then a loud bang…   I shifted into gear, held down the auger handle and drove into a snow bank: the drive worked fine but the snow blower wouldn't blow snow.  

Back in the shed, at four below zero, I disassemble the fan belt cover and the bottom plate exposing the pulleys.    Sure enough, the auger belt had broken. 
 

By this time it’s after eight, so I call Sears to see if they have the belt in stock: no, but they can order one – which will take a week to ten days to deliver.  That would be no problem in July, but another snow storm is predicted for Thursday. 

I have to find a belt.  

In order to get the car out of the driveway I have to shovel a path to the road.    I make the seven mile ride on slushy, icy road to the auto parts store with the broken belt.   The young man at the store measures the belt with a tape measure and sells me a belt guaranteed to fit – except when I get home it doesn't; so, back to the auto parts store for a larger belt.

It is approaching noon by the time I get home, and I have skipped breakfast, so I decide it is time for a break.  My wife makes me cereal, toast and tea.  


An hour later I am back outside trying to mount the belt.   This time it fits.

 

I remount all the panels and everything seems to be working.  I still have the driveway to clear, and by the time I put the snow blower away it is four-o-clock and I am beat.   

As I stamp back to the house I think I hear faint laughter – a woman’s voice; but it has to be just the wind blowing through the trees. 



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 

      

  

NOREASTER BRINGS CRAP WEATHER TO MAINE; BUT FEAR NOT IT IS SOUP TIME

We have a three day storm system with winds coming in from the northeast.

 

I never mind when these storms bring in snow, even though we often end up with well over a foot within a few hours.   But, this system is starting as snow, changing to sleet, changing to rain, changing to sleet, changing to snow, changing… and it is supposed to continue into Friday, with day time temperatures at or above freezing (worst case scenario.)

This morning I got up, my wife had fed the new cats and had oatmeal cooking.

Baby Toula - age four months

Bella with the beautiful eyes - age four years

 I ate breakfast, then relaxed with a cup of tea before going out to fill the bird feeders and bring in two days of firewood before the storm arrives.    

Snow started about two pm.   We will likely lose electricity during this storm, as wet snow and sleet will stick to power lines, or at the very least bring down tree limbs on the lines.

 

We have LP gas lamps installed in the living room and kitchen, a kerosene lamp that we can move from room to room, also a battery lantern and flashlights. 

This is an earlier picture from Solstice 2010, but note the gas lamp in the upper left 

We can heat with wood and cook on the gas stove top (though the oven will not work without electricity.)  

As a bear once told me, “You’ll be alright.

Winter time is the time for homemade soups.

I do the majority of cooking at the house – because I like it.  For some reason my wife doesn't complain.  The thing I do not like is making salads: it always seems so boring and repetitious.

So, today was a soup day for lunch.  One of my favorite recipe books is Twelve Months of Monastery Soups

 (I also have the Twelve Months of Monastery Salads book but don’t use it often.) 

 

Today was just a simple cream of tomato soup:

I diced one medium onion; put a chunk of butter and enough olive oil in the bottom of the soup pan to sautéed  the onions until tender, then added a tablespoon of dried parsley, a teaspoon of thyme and a couple of teaspoons of dried basil – cooked for a couple of more minutes before adding a 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes (unseasoned.)   Let it simmer about ten minutes, added two teaspoons of sugar and puréed  it with the hand blender.   Once the mixture was uniform I added about twelve ounces of half and half cream (look at it and taste it until it seems right.)  

I keep a small container with a couple of ounces of olive oil and a crushed garlic clove soaking (I use it for cooking or as a dip for my bread instead of butter,) I slices a baguette and coated the inside with the garlic oil and browned it in a skillet.  

A nice tomato soup and garlic bread – it doesn't  get much better.  

Tonight for supper: a salad, grilled salmon fillets cooked on the George Forman  (if we still have electricity,) rice and canned green peas.

  

Tomorrow I will probably be snow blowing the driveway and digging out the front and back doors.  

Just a note; if you are considering buying a snow blower look for one with a round snow chute (the tube where the snow comes out.)  I have a Sears snow blower and it works fine except with wet snow.   The snow chute is rectangular and prone to clogging up.   My friend has one with a round chute and doesn't have this problem.

Need to feed the wood stove…

the Ol’Buzzard

  

IT IS COLD UP HERE IN MAINE

It was zero degrees this morning and the temps will drop below tonight...

But cold is just a matter of perspective; according to the weather report it was 13 below up at Kulkuri and Nan's igloo. 

the Ol'Buzzard

IT'S WINTER TIME UP IN MAINE

The ice storm last week left us with an inch of ice cover over everything.  Thousands were out of power – we were all right.

We have eight to ten inches of snow coming in tonight, on top of the foot we already have - followed by a week of below zero temperatures.

  Split kindling this morning and restocked the woodpile by the back door.   A good chance we will lose power so we have some gallon water bottles filled to flush the toilet.   We have lamp oil and gas lamps installed in the living room and kitchen – and always keep a supply of flashlight batteries. 

God damn it I love Maine.   Wouldn’t live any place else.

 click the enlarge icon in the lower right hand corner and enjoy.

the Ol’Buzzard

PORK STEW IN SLOW COOKER

We have finally passed through fall.   The weather forecast for tomorrow is for the possibility of snow showers with temperatures in the high thirties.   We have our oil tank filled and our wood supply in.   I have one or two more projects to complete before I can, with a clear conscience, settle down into our winter mode.   Winter for us is a time for self absorption: we read, make soups and fresh bread, prepare meals in the slow cooker, watch old movies, drink wine and generally enjoy the shelter of our house from the elements outside.

Winter time is the time for slow cooker meals.   I put together a pork stew yesterday and it turned out great.

Our cooker: different meal.

   

I cut a pork roast into two inch chunks.

Covered it with one large onion sliced, two stalks of celery sliced, three carrots sliced, three garlic cloves thinly sliced, one white potato cubed, one sweet potato cubed, a two pound butternut squash cut into large cubes, ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, two bay leaves, ¾ cups of raisins, finally adding one cup of water with three tablespoons of maple syrup mixed in, and two tablespoon of maple syrup drizzled over the finish product. 

I cooked it on high for five hours: it was delicious. 

the Ol'Buzzard

THE SPECTER OF WINTER HAUNTS MAINE

Fall is on the back side in the western mountains of Maine.   Tonight, for the first time, temps are supposed to drop below freezing.   Our day time temps are in the low fifties (not bad for this time of year.)   There is a feeling that specter of winter is hiding around the corner, but she is unable to disguise her chilly breath.   

 Most of the bright reds and oranges are gone and now the vista is earth tones of yellow, copper and brown.   The copper beaches in my back yard are in their height of color and many of the leaves will survive until mid winter.  

I expect within the next week we will see snow capping the larger mountains. 

Like the squirrels and chipmunks I am scurrying around trying to finish projects that should have been done during the summer.  

fat face stuffing his cheeks with sunflower seeds

 I have changed the oil and adjusted the belts in the snow blower, put away the lawn mowers, winterized the motorcycle; but still have to change the lights in the crawl space under the house, re-insulate my water pipes and check out the well house.     

Today I called the oil company to fill my tank with kerosene.  I have a Monitor as the primary source of heat (besides the wood stove.)   

Our girl - 19 years old - Monitor in background.

This is a major output, along with property taxes, that I face each year at this time.   I use approximately one hundred and twenty-five gallons of fuel and three cord of wood each year. 

My bird feeders are now supporting mainly chickadees.   Most of the other birds have left for parts unknown.  The chickadees fly in and take one sunflower seed, fly away and eat it and then fly back in for one more seed.   They burn so much energy just to feed during the winter that they depend almost totally on the feeders.  

I spend so much money on sunflower seeds I feel I should be able to claim the birds on my income tax return. 

I actually look forward to the first big snowfall.   The leaves will be gone on the trees and black spruce will be a stark contrast to the skeletal white world.   Grey snowy days – the wood stove pumping – a bottle of wine – books to read – my wife for company: it doesn't get any better.  

the Ol’Buzzard

IT IS STILL WINTER IN MAINE

We have about two feet of standing snow left after a week of above freezing temperatures; however, not to fear – winter is still playing catch-me-fuck-me here in northwestern Maine.  We have fourteen to seventeen inches of snow predicted for the storm coming through tonight and tomorrow.  

Up here it is all a normal part of winter and those of us that love Maine accept it as part of the charm – a place where nature reminds us regularly that we are all tenants in her world.

My concern is that I only have about one cord of firewood left and then I have to switch to burning expensive oil.   So I am looking for – and hoping for an early spring…which also means biking weather.  

and we know it is coming.

The black bike is mine, and my wife is in the jean jacket talking to the secretary of the United Bikers of Maine

I was out in the shed this morning looking at the motorcycle – I have a kind of a sexual thing going with the bike.   I want to touch it and stroke it and mount it and ride the hell out of it.  

I know that we are on the down side of winter when I find I am running a mild bike fever. 

the Ol’Buzzard

IS IT SPRING YET?