Wednesday, March 15, 2017

The Blizzard of 2017!

I don't remember ANY storm dropping as much snow as this one did! We have drifts that are 40 inches deep on our deck. Yesterday as the storm progressed we went out to snow blow using the big blower - first we used it this year. Thankfully it started at the first try. B and I took turns as I can't turn the darn thing around. The wind was whipping the snow into major drifts. So we went out again this morning. I've got  pictures to show the progression of the storm and what we were doing. Right now there is a path down the driveway but the SUV is not dug out. More pictures later.




I opened the door that leads to the deck - OMG look at the snow! Honey was also amazed The high mound of snow on the left is where the grill is. The hump on the back right is the table.
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And here is the same view around 5 PM. We hadn't shoveled this area - the wind had re-arranged the snow! 
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And the SUV on Tuesday after we did the driveway for the first time. You can see it. The mound behind it is my red car. Probably see that in April!

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Friday, March 10, 2017

A Snowy March Day

After some nice rather warm days, it's snowing.....again.....

It's a lovely snow - large soft flakes that started last night. Honey and I went out for our final walk of the day around 9:50 and the flakes were falling. This morning we awoke to several inches on the ground and more coming. As I look out my office window, it looks like a snow globe that someone just shook. Lovely fat flakes that are making a lovely view. The borough truck just did another pass dropping cinders. Many local schools are closed - and that gives the kids a three day weekend! 

I went out after breakfast and took these pictures.... We plan on going out this afternoon and dealing with this "mess" by both blowing the driveway and cleaning off the cars. The forecast is calling for colder weather over the weekend with temperatures well below freezing. So what's there will stay and most likely freeze solid. Then we could get more snow early next week. The Scranton St. Paddy's Day parade is scheduled for this weekend. A very cold day for those who venture out. 



As I stepped out onto the back patio, the chairs just caught my eye. 




As I looked to my right the steps up to the deck that's off the breakfast area looked interesting


And the trees in the back were draped with snow


And it's still snowing.....

Monday, February 13, 2017

More Snow!!

Here it is, Monday February 13 and....IT'S STILL IS SNOWING!!

We had snow late last week..that then continues as rain to ice pellets to sleet to ice..... dang, it's slippery out there!

Yesterday was miserable with gusts that blew the snow around and sleet/rain/snow that made walking treacherous. We stayed home. Honey still needed to go out. And that was somewhat comical as the snow was higher than Honey's belly...well you get the idea...

This morning the sun was out and the temperatures below freezing. Snow showers all day and walking was difficult as there was a very thick crust of ice on top of the original snow with today's snow on top of the ice. A challenge for both Honey and me. I went out to start up my car and had difficulty getting the door open - frozen shut. I was able to open the passenger side and get the car started. We let it run for about 15 minutes and I slid down to get the morning paper. The streets have been plowed but our driveway is covered with drifted snow on top of ice. Tomorrow is supposed to warm up so we will snow blow then.



B snow blowing the first snow on the 9th.
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Honey in the kitchen. She has a new collar - orange!

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

This Weeks Storm

Another week, another storm! Last week we had some warm days with temperatures in the 40s. And as the week drew to a close we were hearing about the major storm headed our way. Last night when we took our last walk, it was sleeting - about a half inch was on the ground that was like little pebbles. No slipping or ice skating but I did walk carefully. The wind was blowing but not howling. This morning we awoke to snow on top of the ice with a ground cover of a bit over an inch. The day was overcast but the trees were quite lovely. 


This evergreen is on the edge of our property by the driveway. 
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And this tree is to the right of the one above
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I've always liked this tree - with the branches that grow long and look so pretty. The dormer window and the triple window are where I look out in my office. It gives me a good view of the street. Honey's favorite spot is looking out that triple window. She is just the right height to stand and look out at everything that is going on. And, anyone driving up the driveway is greater with a lot of barking.
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This evergreen is located at the far back of our property. The snow was weighing down the branches.
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Later, when I took Honey out for another walk I noticed on the other side of the house the tall evergreens that shield us from our neighbor's back yard were icy and bending down. And the rhododendron next to the evergreens was also covered with a heavy icy snow. So I put Honey in the house, got a broom and gently hit the them to knock off as much snow/ice as I could. They sprang up once the weight was off them. I was pelted with snow. I'm so glad I was the they were in trouble - if left alone I'm sure some of the branches would have snapped.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

An Icy Morning

The weather has been bouncing all around. The past few days were very cold. The good news was it had warmed up enough to melt the snow we had before it went down to the single digits. And we were expecting another warm up! 

Last night it was windy. When Honey and I went out around 9 PM for her "final final", the wind was blowing. We walk back to the tree area in the corner of the property the branches were creaking and it was cold. We were both glad to get in. This morning, we took our first of many walks around 5 AM. So, out we went this morning at 5..... and the first step out was a shocker....no traction...slippery and very silent out there. ICE!!  OK, so I slipped my way over to the stairs from the deck and hung on while Honey did her thing... And the stillness and silence was awesome. Back in and, as we have been doing for a while, back to bed. And when I did get up and about it was around 7:30. We went down stairs to take another walk and the outside sparkled from the ice. The local news had talked about a major pile-up with tractor trailers jackknifed. (don't believe any major injuries). There was no way I was going to walk/skate out there for Honey's walk so I grabbed the clothesline we had prepared with a clip on the end for Honey's collar, hooked her up, took a few careful steps to the stairs, threaded the rope through the banister and hung on while Honey had a larger area to use and I could be sure I would remain upright. Again it was silent outside and it appeared that it was raining - but the sun was out. And the sun was melting the ice on the trees and house and that was the "rain".  A bit later the township truck came by plowing the road (removing some of the ice) and putting cinders on the road. Schools are closed in many districts. It's now almost 10 AM and we are back to normal. The street looks dry, the trees are no longer dripping and the air now carries the feeling of warmth. We should get into the 40s today and with the sun out that is a definite possibility!  

About Me

After working for 40 years in education, I retired and with my husband moved to the "wilds" of PA. This blog is thoughts and pictures of what we are doing.