EIGHTY-FIVE INCHES AND ANOTHER SNOW STORM TOMORROW

Two snow storms a week since the beginning of February.   When it is not snowing it is blowing.  When I am outside shoveling I try tho think of spring and tell myself that soon I will be riding the bike, but then the snow blows in behind what I just shoveled and I  I  I  I k no  w that it wi l l   be   o v e   r   soon   But.....
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SNOBUARY: BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN MAINE

I seem to remember that in January I complained about the lack of snow.    Well, so far during the month of February (the last thirteen days) we have had four major snow storms and a blizzard predicted for this weekend.   

Our local Maine WCSH weatherman has posted predictions of twelve to sixteen inches accumulation along with high wind over a thirty-six hour period beginning Saturday morning.   He hedged these predictions stating they are taken from the National Weather Service’s computer projections, and that the European Weather computer projections show a possibility of twenty-four to thirty inches accumulation. 

The thing that astounded me is not the depth of snow and blizzard predictions (this is Maine,) but that the weatherman said the European computer predictions are usually more accurate than the National Weather Service’s, because Europe has the most updated software and the latest high-tech computers, whereas our government funded programs are out of date and in serious need of upgrade. 

So, why does Europe has better weather prediction facilities than the U.S.?    Why does Europe and Asia have more modern railway facilities and infrastructure than the U.S.?   Why of the thirty-three developed nations is the U.S. the only country that does not offer universal health care?   And, why does the United States spends more on its military than the next ten highest militarized nations combined?

I think I just answered my own questions.   It is a matter of priorities.

A link to military expenditures posted by the International Institute for StrategicStudies (2013.)   

Note, military expenditure does not include Homeland Security, CIA, NIS, private security firms employed by the government, military foreign aid and covert operations etc. etc. etc.

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