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Monday, January 26, 2015

Polishing up the snow shovel and other fun winter storm activities.

I have given up listening to weather forecasts.  So far, we will be getting anywhere from 3 to 36 inches of snow, depending on which prediction of gloom and disaster you listen to.  I think that's a pretty ridiculous range.  Of course, directionally-challenged as I am, I got myself stirred to a froth when they said that Southeastern VT should get 30".  OMG!  My parents!  Me!  Then I realized that we are on the SouthWESTERN side.  Disaster avoided.  Other than we are in a special place that is much higher than even Vermont, fercryinoutload.  I guess I will be able to decide by tomorrow afternoon.

My winter storm preparation consists of:  polishing (really) my show shovel so that the snow doesn't stick to it and make me say bad words while I shovel away at my two miles of pathways.  Multiple times; cleaning and filling all waterers for chickens and sheep; changing the shavings in the nesting boxes so the eggs are not covered by bored, poopy feet prints; putting a nice layer of clean straw in the barn for extended timeouts taken by sheep and llama; strategic placement of extra shovels; filling bird feeders (now have gone through 50# of black oil sunflower seeds and 40# of regular feed and 11 suet blocks - they're killing me!); water jugs filled; roof rake at the ready for the carport; plenty of firewood inside.  That is about all I can do.

I've got plenty to do on my snow day tomorrow.  I pulled out my cardigan that had never gotten finished.  I did my usual slipshod method of sewing the pieces together and it looked like poop.  So I had shoved it on a shelf and left it.  I pulled it out yesterday, labored over my lousy but intricately woven-in sewing job and got it all apart.  Then I put my Joni Mitchell cds on and started resewing it.  I got it all assembled and, this morning, started finishing the neck.  Hooray!  Only five rows to go.  Then I need to find five neato buttons.  But at least the knitting is done.  I got this burst of energy from basking in the sun of a breakfast visit with my friend Maggie Budd.  She should bottle her glorious, warm and wonderful energy.* 

Since Pepper refuses to wear his sweater for more than five minutes, I will have to have a pile of towels by the back door.  I don't think Lovey has seen two feet of snow, so that should be interesting.  It will most definitely put a hitch in her giddyap, when she tries plowing through the drifts.  My poor southern baby.  I have checked my stores of Aleve and I am ready for anything.  Almost.



*She got me a Sunday NYT paper for my birthday.  You may think this odd, but it has always been an indulgence of mine - made extremely infrequent when they raised the price to $6!  I mean, really.  As I luxuriated through the sections, it struck me that I had moved in a direction so foreign from what was on those pages, so foreign from the life I used to lead (I lived in the City for four years).  It was like reading about an entirely alien country.  I love the country in which I live now.  Semi-feral, true friends, good food, self-reliance.  It is all very, very good.

13 comments:

jaz@octoberfarm said...

it will be interesting to see what you get out of this storm. we are only getting about 6-8 inches.

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

I found your post today very inspiring! Not that 1 million inches of snow is good for anything or anyone, but my husband and I have been in deep, serious discussions about giving up city life and making a move for the country. I start wringing my hands when we get into the meat and potatoes of the where and how will we manage, but your post makes me think that I am "almost" positive I will do just fine. You are an inspiration to me - just the preparation for the snow and storm coming your way!! Maybe one day I can share my "getting prepared for the storm" story and sound calm, cool and collected just like you!! My husband will thank you!!! :) Be safe when the storm hits!!

Susan said...

Jaz - These weather hysterics really get on my nerves. It's one thing to warn people that a blizzard is coming - it's entirely another thing when they make it sound like the end of the world as we know it is nigh. If you're prepared all the time, it's a lot easier on your nerves. And it's not like you can stop it from coming...

Tyche's Minder said...

Polishing your shovel? I did not know...

Susan said...

Mrs. DM - You will be amazed at what you can do. Just start small and have a good plan (one of those, 'listen to what I say, not what I do" things). And retain your sense of humor. That is more important than a snow shovel in a snow storm! :)

Susan said...

TM - Oh, yes. Most especially for a heavy, wet snow. That stuff will stick like Velcro to your shovel and you spend half your time trying to get it off before you can shovel forward. It is VERY frustrating!

Janice Grinyer said...

No snow will mess with you while in your "semi-feral" state...and the state of bliss is a good one too!

Good luck - take pictures when it starts knocking on your backdoor so we can see whats happening on your side of the country. I on the other hand have 66 degrees however which melted all 12 inches of snow from two weeks ago...fastlike...we be in a mud state. ;p

Mama Pea said...

We're actually getting some snow today. Can you believe it? Only about 4" so far but it's still coming down. You know you will be fine even if you do get 3' dumped on you. And your parents have people around them that will look after them, so don't worry unnecessarily about them. (Easy for me to say, huh?) Take care, my friend, and carry on! And do be sure to keep us up-to-date on what's happening, okay?

DFW said...

Stay safe & warm. Funny how you look back at past "lives" & think about where you are now.

Unknown said...

Hope you'll be ok, I saw the news too. I wish we'd get some here! It's just brown :(

Unknown said...

Well i never, you learn something everyday. I havent seen snow for awhile (15 yrs for 1 day) but ill be sure to store this little hint away. It is so interesting hearing about the differences between us when often it feels like the US culture has taken over Oz. Happy Australia Day for Oz - 26 Jan.

Sandy Livesay said...

Susan,

Prep the way you know best. Thank God....you're situated where you won't get as much of the blast (but you will get some) like many will up in the North East.
Be safe, and warm!

Susan said...

Good luck with the snow. I'm wondering if your estimates are a bit low. I'm glad you have everyone hunkered down.