In case any one outside Elk County is interested, it is RAINING here and has been since about 5:00 this morning. My private river that runs in front of my house has been out of it's banks part of the morning. and is still merrily running down the ditch. I don't know how much has hit the ground so far, as I remembered to bring my glass rain gauge inside for the winter. I don't think I need to say that I am enjoying the rain very much.
But I do need to say that I take credit for it. Yesterday was so nice that I hooked up a hose and cleaned the bird bath. That is something like washing the car or hanging the laundry out on the line or washing windows. Never fails. You might ask, "Why does your bird bath need a bath in the middle of the winter?" Well, the answer is simple. We keep it filled all winter. The poor little birds need their water on cold winter days, too. A bird bath heater keeps it from freezing, but nothing keeps the hose from freezing, so it is drained. Our winter setup is a rubber tub like ones that are used for feeding horses. It is placed in or on the bird bath. The heater is placed inside the tub, along with two bricks for weight and to provide a place for the little birds to perch if the water is low. It is filled by carrying the water from the house. Needless to say, this rainless weather we have had has allowed the bird doo to accumulate and the weather has been too cold to carry the necessary amount of water to give everything the washing down that it needed. Yesterday I hooked up the hose and using the jet selection on the nozzle, I gave everything a good strong shower. Really cleaned it up. The poor little birds didn't know what to think. It didn't look right to them.
But, today, we don't have to worry about the water. And when it starts freezing again, the heater will do it's job, someone will carry water for refills and we will all be happy.
We got 2" here around Fall River.
That's wonderful. I know you've been very dry. You sent us your milder weather.It's supposed to be 64 here tomorrow.
Wilma, it's cold (61 degrees ) and wet (rain sprinkles for five days) here in AZ as I write this. I know that you are going to be hit with a huge blizzard starting tomorrow. But, thank goodness the federal government provides us with "helpful" winter tips and video's. ( ready.gov/winter-weather ).
Did you know, warns our government, that "winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days?"
Hmmm.... news to me.
Or that "many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and sometimes by strong winds, icing, sleet and freezing rain"?
There's no reason to panic, tho', so long as you follow government tips before, during and after a storm.
To prepare for ice, for instance, be sure to assemble an emergency kit that has "rock salt or more environmentally safe products" that the government recommends at the Environmental Protection Agency website.
I'm happy to protect the environment, but I'm not terribly interested in whether or not the environment is offended by rock salt when the environment is trying to hurt me.
Anyway, your emergency kit should include sand, too, as it provides traction on slippery surfaces. It should include shovels or other snow-removal devices. My next-door-neighbor has one of those in her kit: her husband.
Sometimes, things can get so bad in the winter, we are warned, that we may lose power and heat. Wow. If you have a fireplace, be sure to stock up on seasoned wood! (For the moment, the EPA still allows us to burn wood in our fireplaces.)
Once you have followed these groundbreaking government tips to plan for a storm, you need to learn what to do during the storm, Wilma.
The first thing the government recommends is to stay inside! That makes sense to me. It's warmer and drier inside. We must fight the urge to lie in the yard in pajamas and get covered with snow and make snow angels.
If you must go outside, however, be careful walking "on snowy, icy walkways." The government says snow and ice, apparently, are slippery.
The government warns us to not overexert ourselves while shoveling. That is sound advice, huh? Overexertion while shoveling can, and does, lead to heart attacks, particularly in middle-aged fellows like me who are not in great physical shape.
Yet, every year, we men, fully aware of the risk, overexert ourselves while shoveling.... and one or two of us have heart attacks and end up on the local news along with reports from medical experts who tell us we ought not overexert ourselves while shoveling.
Frostbite is a big worry. Symptoms "include loss of feeling and white or pale appearance in extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, and the tip of the nose."
I am no expert, but another symptom is that YOU ARE REALLY COLD, so stop shoveling and go inside the house.
The government warns about hypothermia, too. Symptoms include "uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and apparent exhaustion"... and a propensity to vote for politicians who are eager to bankrupt the country.
Again, I am no expert, but another symptom is that YOU ARE REALLY COLD, so stop shoveling and go inside the house.
If you somehow manage to survive the coming storm... and it's coming, five feet I heard... you are not out of the woods yet. After the storm passes, the governments warns you to stay indoors, if possible. If you must go outside, be sure to dress for the weather to protect against frostbite and hypothermia.
To the government's credit, it does offer a few useful tips to prevent your pipes from freezing, and on what to do if you are stranded in your car.
For the most part, Wilma, if you need to rely on the government for obvious steps to take to deal with snowstorms, your worries are much greater than winter weather.
Now get in the house, find the candles, turn on the fireplace and snuggle up with a good book. The storm of the year is on its way.
...Warph[/font][/size]
Warph, I have been watching the so-called blizzard move across Kansas, being careful to not get too close to the southeastern part of the state. I will be surprised if we get any snow at all. Thanks for all the good advice, but I have lived in Kansas all my life. There isn't much that I don't already know from experience, not government recommendations. I suffered the frost bite thing from walking across a wheat field to get home after high centering the car on the way home from early dismissal of school. On the other hand, I enjoy the snowfall when it is the big fluffy flakes with no wind and mild temperatures. I especially enjoy watching it from inside my warm house. This "blizzard" doesn't have me concerned at all.
Quote from Wilma:
I suffered the frost bite thing from walking across a wheat field to get home after high centering the car on the way home from early dismissal of school.
Wow, Wilma, the ruts would have to be pretty deep to high center a Model-T
PS: Don't be sending Janet down to kick my arse---I'm just teasing you. ;D ;D ;D
Model T, indeed! It was a 1936 Chevy sedan with the suicide doors. And my little brother was doing the driving. I wouldn't dream of sending Janet to kick your behind. With your bulked up muscles, she would break her foot.
You hearing this Larry ???
Quote from: Wilma on January 30, 2013, 10:30:10 AM
Model T, indeed! It was a 1936 Chevy sedan with the suicide doors. And my little brother was doing the driving. I wouldn't dream of sending Janet to kick your behind. With your bulked up muscles, she would break her foot.
I thought I knew who jarhead was, but with your description, obviously I don't.
I was just quoting what he says about himself.
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
ROTHFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!! I think maybe she made a typo with the word "muscle".......(snicker inserted here). I think she might have meant lard #$$. Hee Hee Hee Hee Hee Hee Hee Hee!
Yeah, I'm reading it, Jar.
Larryj
Doc, you would be advised to take a handful of Darvons to help numb the pain I am about ready to inflict upon you !!!
I wouldn't come kick your arse, jarhead, because I would have thought it was a Model T also. LOL
It isn't all that far to Independence, young lady, but I can wait until you come home.
Look!!!!! My mother called me a young lady. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D :angel:
Oh Lordy, Wilma's cheese is sliding off it's cracker !!!
So, how much rain did we get early this morning? It is still running down my ditch and the ditch has been full and overflowing. I did put my rain gauge out, but due to the recent mid-winter temperatures, I had turned it upside down. From the amount of standing water and mud, my guess is 2 inches.
I show six tenths.
We got about half inch here in Texas today. It was nice and waited until about 5 pm to start raining so most of the Easter eggs had been found and everyone was headed home.
I heard on the news this morning that we are about 5 inches behind on rain already this year. Everything is nice and green but with the wind we have been having we are under burn ban. All of my trees have leaves on them except one that is dead, we are still finding trees that have been affected by the drought two years ago.
All the wild flowers are in bloom now and they are so pretty, should have a good crop of them again next year since I won't be able to mow them before they go to seed since the Cub Cadet is back in the shop for the fifth time. It spends more time in the shop than it does mowing.
Hope everyone had a Happy and safe Easter.
MsBear,
I'm gonna be in Kemah for a few days this next month so don't let it rain while I'm there-----and don't be going there and eating all the fresh oysters and shrimp before I get a chance to fill my little tummy. :angel:
little tummy??? ???? ??
Oooookay~~ ::)
In due time Blondie---in due time and I will be on you like a chicken on a June -bug !!!
Jarhead, ole pal, you had better watch what toes you are stepping on. She's armed to the teeth and generally hits what she is aiming at...........................don't let it be you!
Larryj
Not to worry, Doc. She's like a Chihuahua dog nipping at your heels . Makes a bunch of noise yipping but pretty much harmless. I figger if I had two nicknames in the Corps--Alvin York Jr and Carlos Hathcock Jr--- then I aint got much to worry about when it comes to a shooting match.
I will try to ward off the rain here when you come down. It was about 80 here today and really nice.
Hope you don't eat all the oysters and shrimp before I get there. Are you eating at Landry's, ate there last year and it was very good.
Enjoy Kemah more than Galveston, and the food was much better at Kemah.
Enjoy your trip.
Ms Bear,
This will be my first time to Kemah. Our group rented a whole group of cottages to stay in. A little more pricey than I like but what the heck. Krazy Karl will bring his smoker down from Highlands and cook us one meal of his kick arse smoked brisket but after that it's fresh sea food here I come !! I think one evening we will load up and head to Highlands to Charlie's Ice House to drink copious amounts cold brews. Beware Texas---the boys of 2nd platoon , Charlie company are about to descend upon you. :angel:
Sounds like a plan for one hell of a get together. I'll pray the rain stays here.
I'll pray the rain stays here, too, but not for the same reason. My reason is that we still need a lot of it. I don't care what happens to Jar.
That's why I was praying for it here too. Jarhead will have a good time, rain or shine, is what I'd guess.
Bring on one of those four and five inchers.
Quote from Wilma:
I don't care what happens to Jar.
Damn Wilma, that's kinda cold don't you think ? But of coarse you are entitled to your opinion.
Right you are Bull.
Jar, I only meant that I didn't care if it rained on you. But if it does rain on you, please bring some of it home with you.
It ain't over 'til its over.
Four to six inches of snow expected here in Centennial, CO, starting tomorrow night through Wednesday morning.
In the news, a picture of playing baseball in the snow in Denver. That makes me remember back in the early sixties, I was a member of the college marching band. This marching band was like a precision drill team relying on yard markers and yard lines on the football field to make the formations that we made look good. We were invited to Mile High Stadium one time to perform during halftime in a game between the Jets and the Broncos. It was a nationally televised game. It began to snow after the game started and by halftime, you couldn't see the yard lines. It must have looked terrible on TV. I was a poor college student with a hole in my shoe and after halftime spent the rest of the game with my shoe off and a butane hand warmer against my nearly frost bitten foot.
Ah, memories!
Larryj
Ha, been there done that..marching in the snow I mean. Didn't have a frozen foot. We couldn't see the yard lines but could see enough of the vertical markers at the ends to do pretty well...There would have been he** to pay if we didn't! Great memories for sure.