Yesterday ended with Sylvia’s car stuck in the driveway.  Yes, it was my fault.  :beam:   This morning started for me when I looked out the office window and saw this:

Next-door neighbor brings snow blower to the rescue

Our neighbor came calling with his snow blower.  Sylvia ran out with shovel in hand to pitch in.  They cleared a path to get Sylvia’s car back on the driveway.  As they were doing that, I was clearing the upper part of the drive with the tractor’s front-end loader.

Soon, we were able to back the car to the bottom of the drive.  I continued to work at scraping off packed snow and carving back on the intruding snow banks and drifts.

The drive is clear again, but for how long?

Sylvia needed to run some errands in town, which she did as I completed my work.  Before long she returned and easily drove up the newly cleared drive.

Errand complete, Sylvia returns home

In answer to yesterday’s question, a day can make a big difference.  The beat goes on . . .

For tomorrow, the weather prophets are saying eight inches of snow should be falling on us.  :surrender:   And here I sit thinking about how pleasant life was in San José, Costa Rica.  But family is here in Michigan and family is much more important than a few minor inconveniences–such as weather.

I’ll let you decide on the verity of this post’s title.  It may prove to be another one of those myths that we keep telling ourselves, or that singers keep sending our way.  Here’s the full story.  Read it and tell me what you think.  Please.  I really would like to know.

Wednesday late afternoon.

We’ve been snowed in since Sunday.  The tracks are from our USPS postal carrier.  Sally has a good truck and lots of experience.  I was surprised when she delivered some of the components for the computer that I’m assembling.  We laughed and agreed that we’re both ready for spring.

Monday, UPS decided to not try delivering my expedited package, which held two optical drives.  On Tuesday, their tracking app showed that it was out for delivery.  It was too cold for my tractor to start.  I was not able to clear the drive.  When the delivery man (yes, it was a man) arrived, he couldn’t get his truck up our driveway.  He left his truck and walked up the hill to deliver the drives to my door. :tiphat:   A big tip of the hat to UPS for such excellent service.

Wednesday arrived with the same cold temps.  I didn’t even try to start the tractor.  I did step outside long enough to survey the situation and take the picture above.  Doesn’t look like much snow, does it?  It is not passable.  If UPS couldn’t get up, we weren’t going anywhere until it was cleared.

Then today, Thursday, temperatures rose into the upper 20s.  The tractor would start.  I went out shortly after a late breakfast and began the clearing process.  At noon, I took a break and then resumed the work.  The wind grew stronger in the afternoon, and snow filled the air.  Nevertheless.  I completed the job.

Sylvia wanted to go shopping and went out.  Road conditions and crowds in the supermarket delayed her return.  By then, there was more snow in the driveway.  She returned safely home, but not as far as the garage.

Another shot of the drive 26 hours later.

Yes, those white streaks are snow flakes racing across the scene.  If it weren’t for Sylvia’s car stuck in the snow, I’d say it was a good picture.  Under the circumstances, I’m not all that sure. :badmood:

At least for tomorrow, we should get a respite from the snow.  I’ll appreciate that while we’re out there rescuing the stranded and abandoned vehicle.

This picture was not taken today.  I posted it to bring us all hope, which is what we’ll need to get through this winter.  For it looks like it will be a winter to remember.

I’m sure our propane supplier is scrambling to find additional supplies to meet the heavy demand of this season.  Fortunately, we entered an agreement with the company that limits the price we pay this year.  😀

Snow removal has also been a problem.  I use a landscape grader blade behind the tractor for light snow.  This year I’ve had to use the front-end loader–a lot.  It takes longer, but works quite well.

Yesterday, I got stuck in a snow drift on the way to church.  I managed to work my way out and then returned home.  I might have made it through, but it was snowing heavily and there were strong winds.  That’s not exactly what I’d call a recipe for a happy ending.

More snow and wind overnight left roads impassable.  We may see a snow plow.  Perhaps as early as tomorrow?  I’m not holding my breath. :surrender:

This morning I cancelled an appointment with my primary care provider and rescheduled it for next week.  We’ll spend another day at home.  Fortunately, there’s good company (Sylvia and Nellie), plenty of propane in the tank (just refilled before this storm) and Netflix.

Meanwhile, I am in the process of building my next computer.  I only lack a couple of optical drives, which are on order.  I’ll have to see when UPS can make it to my door.

I finally got to sleep last night around 2 AM.  Today, I’m feeling like a semi-zombie (whatever that is or means).  Sylvia and I were talking about peace this morning, in particular we were discussing ways to depict it.  Shortly after I walked into the living room, where I saw this.

Napping Nellie shades her sleepy eyes

I confess that I wanted to curl up beside her and nap too.  Doesn’t that sound like a good idea.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just hibernate for the winter?  How would you like to awaken from sleep to find that spring had sprung?

I suppose someone will want to quote me a poem (you know who you are) like this one:

As a rule, man is a fool,
When it’s hot, he wants it cool;
When it’s cool, he wants it hot,
Always wanting what is not.

But that’s not what I’m saying.  I just want a good night’s sleep.  Mid-afternoon I can barely stay awake.  Later, when I crawl into bed, drowsiness and sleep has fled to other parts.  Fortunately, nothing of import requires me to rise early.

Nellie will disagree with that final sentence in the preceding paragraph.  She will be quick to point out that I need to rise early and fill her bowl with nourishing cat food.

Style Rule For Bloggers

The use of passive voice and obscure words are to be eschewed.

Earlier, I posted about being snowed-in.  It happens and sometimes it takes a couple of days for the snow plow to come down our [secondary] road.  The county has a contract with the federal government to keep I-96 open and in good shape.  Another contract with the State of Michigan is for three state highways that run through our county.  Both of those contracts call for priority service, which leaves us “at the end of the queue.”

Our driveway after the storm and before the clearing operation.

Just before the storm, we reported to our supplier that propane in the fuel tank was running low.  It was five days later before more fuel was delivered.

As you can see, we had a driveway full of snow, and it was much worse at the bottom than the top.

Rain started last night and today the pavement is showing.  That is good for our driveway, but the dirt road in front of our house is very icy and slippery.  Another excellent reason for curling up in the recliner with a book or Netflix.  Yes, I like that plan.

What are you doing today?

Perhaps it was a happy omen when I saw a sun halo this morning.  Unfortunately, it soon faded.  I felt bad.  Sylvia had missed it.  Then I heard her in the next room and the halo was back–even brighter than before.

This morning’s sun halo. This is 22 degrees from the sun and looks like a reverse rainbow with red on the inside of the arc.

My heart was cheered by the sheer beauty of this halo.  One more reason I love this place.

We are still snowed in, and today I had to cancel a follow-up appointment with the urologist/surgeon.  On the phone I was able get the results of last week’s lab tests.  My PSA continues to hold at zero!  A perfect score. :dance:  I’ll see the doctor again in late April.  I’m sure the weather will be much improved by then.

I should have our driveway open by later today or tomorrow.  A neighborhood friend is coming to do it for me.  Yes, I will pay but I prefer that to braving a few hours in these single-digit temperatures while doing it with my own tractor.  It’s going to be a big job this time. :surrender:

Today, I found this pic from Germany on Wikipedia:

A sun halo

That’s pretty isn’t it?  Especially so since we don’t have to deal with their ice and snow.

Hope this new year is treating you well.

On a day like today when the state police are asking folks who don’t have to go somewhere to stay inside, I’m inclined the ask, “Why?”  The answer should be obvious.  Even to a guy like me.  Single digit temps, high winds and snow covered roads dominate the landscape.  And, I hasten to add, my thinking as well.

Outdoors it is:

Nasty

Very Nasty!

The light and dark patches against the background trees is caused by wind blown snow.  Scanner traffic has brought more tales of woe for would-be travelers.

That’s why I’m staying inside today.  Inside where it is:

Cozy and Comfy

Nellie has a paw over her eyes.  Midnight used to do that same thing.

If you live in Miami, you might be tempted to comment something like, “Beautiful.”  But that’s not true unless you’re talking about the cat.  If you live around here you know better and are already praying for spring.  Winter has just begun.  Can spring come early this year?  Would that be too much to ask? :badmood:

It was five years ago today that I started this blog.  What started as a means of regular communications with family has become a way to be in touch with a much larger family of friends and regular visitors.

This past year has brought major changes to this household.  Sylvia’s father, now 95, is no longer able to drive and needs a little help from time to time.  Sylvia spends one week in four with him.  Siblings take care of the other three.  One sister lives in Florida, and Dad escapes Michigan winter to be with her family for two or three months.

I’ve had health issues, but am doing very well at this point.  I’m almost back to “normal,” whatever that means.  (I suspect it is a fictional concept. :uh: )

2013 was the Year of Nellie.  She came to be with us in early February.  Nellie was supposed to be my cat, but she had different plans.  She used to cower and run away whenever I came near.  Now she seeks me out for a little lovin’.  But that doesn’t mean lap time.  On the rare occasions that she does end up on my lap, the “dwell time” is measured in seconds.  Oh well . . . :rolleyes: Speaking of Nellie . . .

Birthday Girl

I thought this had been posted on Monday, December 23.  Then I discovered that it hadn’t.  Sorry about that.

Nellie wishes you Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Nellie had her 7th birthday on Sunday.  Sorry we are a day late in announcing this.

Thanks to the ice storm we were without commercial power.  The emergency generator was keeping us in operation.  That is it was until Sunday PM when I ran out of propane–as in zero percent left in the tank. Today, our propane supplier delivered 400 gallons, for which they left a large bill.

But we’re back in business, the house is warm.  Best of all Sylvia has returned home after a week with her dad. :awe:  Nellie says she is super happy to have our lady back home where she belongs.  I too am glad to have her back with us.  What a weird year . . . :beam: