Winter 2009

[JimB]

It's hard to think of spring when I was told this morning to expect up to 14 inches of the white stuff tomorrow. However, it's ok. I really don't mind a good snow storm once in a while but that's only because my vehicle is AWD. I have yet to get stuck with it.

[Wally]

I'm trying to maintain a good attitude, but I can't help thinking that the Washington, D.C., area is a great place to dump a lot of snow.    I think they've had nearly as much snow as we have this winter, and we've had no storms of the size they just had.  We've dodged several significant storms, which is fine with me.  Every time that big bucket loader comes around to remove snow (here at the store) it's $130/hr.  The less I see of it the better.

[Richard Myers]

Maybe if enough snow falls on DC, they will start wanting warmer weather?    Where's Al Gore and Arnold?

[colporteur]

We are in a snow drought here this year. Praise the Lord !  We are at least 160 inches behind last year's snow fall at this time. Seems that everybody else is getting our snow. Enjoy !

[colporteur]

Maybe if enough snow falls on DC, they will start wanting warmer weather?    Where's Al Gore and Arnold?

 Have you not seen Al Gore beamed around the world ? They can and do project him in Japan and elsewhere. He is beamed  live into outer darkness as thou the darkness is a movie screen. It is erie and seems in my mind to be something  like what spiritualism would look like.

[Sybil]

$130/hour, Wally? Wow wee! And I thought $60/driveway was steep!

We got an additional 4" of snow today. I am so tired of it - but doesn't that happen every year? I think so. It just wears one down! So, that makes a total of 14" on the ground and none of it is melting. Another storm hits us on Thursday! UGH !!!

The only consolation is the beauty spring and summer will bring after all of this moisture.

Wait a minute ... I already complained today. That was this morning, wasn't it? Oh, well ... sorry ...

[Vicki]

The beauty  of spring has already started here. All the rain has left us with millions of tiny weeds.    

We have about 5 more weeks until we start our seedlings indoors, although I'll start a few tomatoes a bit earlier. It's tough to wait. I miss the busy-ness of gardening. As well as the warmth of the sunshine...remind me I said that this summer when it hits 103.

[Sister Dee]

Though this winter seems to have been colder than the norm, and we keep having storm after storm pass over our state, we still haven't had a good snowfall on the ground here.  Quite unusual as it would be normal to have at least one or two even without this much precipitation in the area.  What happens is when the storms come through it warms up just enough to rain!   

But, I guess we've warmed up into the 50's during the day a few times.  We were at the bank yesterday and the children looked over at the empty lot next to it and said, "What's all that green?"  Why, weeds, of course!     So, spring must be on the way for us, too, Vicki. 

[Vicki]

  The next few months is when we see the most green in our desert landscape - weeds abound. I do miss the green of the mid-west where I was raised. Trees, grass, and wildflowers - count your blessings those of you who live where it rains all year. Green is easier on the eyes than brown! The brown mountains and valleys do have their own beauty although the eyes must be trained to see it.

We went hiking in the hills a few weeks ago 2 days after a snowfall. We followed rabbit tracks that had coyote tracks following it - the path got too crazy to know the outcome of the chase. Son was convinced they were mountain lion tracks. Since the snow had melted & refroze a bit the tracks weren't easy to read so we allowed him the benefit of the doubt although I highly doubt it. There are cougars out here, but I think they stay up higher & further back away from people. The little mouse tracks were easier to follow & we found all their little holes. Next time we're taking a bit of peanut butter & bird seed I found in the freezer from making pinecone bird feeders last year. We'll drop a little surprise in each hole - a little sympathy gift for the trouble of sin we have given the creatures. As long as they are far from the house I don't mind feeding mice.

It's snowing now - hopefully only a dusting. 

[Richard Myers]

Before spring gets here, we still have time to take advantage of the very soft ground. It is the time that weeding is fun! There is just so many!! But, the come up so easy. If we do not get them now, we will surely regret it in a few months!

[Vicki]

I've been waiting for it to dry up a bit before getting out there. There's so much muck there's no way it can be weeded without leaving a big mess - in the yard and on us. There's also more carrots to harvest, but since we've not run out inside the muck has made it unlikely I'll venture into the garden this week. It was about ready to be walked in & then the rain & snow returned. We must be in for a few sunny days soon... February has always been the longest, dreariest month - good thing it's only 28 days this year. 

I do need to prune the fruit trees ASAP. Looks like a Wednesday morning job while the ground is still frozen.  See, there are good things about winter. 

[Wally]

We have had no measurable snow since Jan 28 (and that was only 1"), while in that same time period the Wash., D.C. area has had 3' or so.  I can't say that I'm sorry.  Once we reach the middle of February the snow that does fall melts faster due to the higher angle of the sun in the sky.  While Richard is taking advantage of his softer ground, we are waiting for ours to thaw, turn to mud, and finally dry out enough to till.  But that won't be any time soon.    Mid-April in a good year; early May is more the norm.

I do question one thing in your post, Richard:  "weeding is fun" ?!    I guess I missed the boat somewhere.  In this part of the country we have what we sometimes refer to as the "creeping jungle."  It rains so much that vegetation takes over unless it is kept at bay (winter is the only reprieve from that). When I lived in drier climes, weeding was less tedious, since they only prospered where I watered.  The desert is sounding more inviting all the time. 

[Sybil]

Weeding is not fun! Our Richard has "tongue in cheek" syndrome when it comes to weeds. Because of where he lives he probably has 10 times the number of weeds we do, so it must be a chore he has to grin and bear.

[Vicki]

When I lived in drier climes, weeding was less tedious, since they only prospered where I watered.  The desert is sounding more inviting all the time. 

Yes, that is definitely a bonus.  This year the whole desert has been watered thoroughly which is a mixed blessing.

[Richard Myers]

I was just telling a friend yesterday as we were cutting some wood that would need to split, how much I enjoyed splitting wood, at times.  When you have spent a lot of time with a sledge hammer and wedge, you know how much work it is. But, there was a time when I really enjoyed it. I had cut a red gum tree in Australia into four foot rounds and began to split them. What fun!! Each hit with the axe, sent these beautiful pieces of red gum flying. When I was done, it was such beautiful fire wood that it was fun to stack it also!  There was no hard labor. Each hit with the axe, split the wood nicely. Not like any other splitting I had ever done.

It is the same with weeding. There is nothing less enjoyable than weeding in the summer when the weeds have long roots in the hard ground. But, now it is different. You grab a hold of the weeds and out they come!! It is the same as getting them when they are "baby" weeds in soft soil. Fun!! On the other hand, Sister Sybil is right. I have  a large job staring me in the face that I think often of. Weeds have taken over a yard that was thoroughly barked. It is sad to see it. Now, even with the ground soft, it is a large project that I do not want to do.  The weeding I am doing now is in my flower bed and it is under control. The weeds come right up and there are not millions of them.   When I get done, it looks so nice and it does not take a month to do it. So, it is enjoyable. And I know that I am getting my exercise in the fresh air and sunshine!    Well,,,,maybe not today. The clouds are back and getting ready to descend upon New Mexico and Nevada, then eventually hit Colorado, Michigan, Kentucky, Texas, DC (as a reminder of global warming), and last of all good ole Maine!

Temps are forecast to be in the mid 60s to low 70s next week. Winter is on its way out. Richard the beekeeper will be happy to know the almonds are getting ready to bloom! It is a great lesson for us to learn. If we can just hold on a little bit longer, this long winter of sin and death will end soon! Jesus is even at the door!

[Wally]

I was just telling a friend yesterday as we were cutting some wood that would need to split, how much I enjoyed splitting wood, at times.  When you have spent a lot of time with a sledge hammer and wedge, you know how much work it is. But, there was a time when I really enjoyed it. I had cut a red gum tree in Australia into four foot rounds and began to split them. What fun!! Each hit with the axe, sent these beautiful pieces of red gum flying. When I was done, it was such beautiful fire wood that it was fun to stack it also!  There was no hard labor. Each hit with the axe, split the wood nicely. Not like any other splitting I had ever done.

Splitting wood is something I have always enjoyed; any time of year, even at my advanced age.  It is harder work than weeding, so it's not logical, but there is a certain satisfaction in seeing that log split with one blow (or even several blows).  Ash and Aspen are two varieties that I split a lot of, and they split pretty well.  I try to steer clear of oak, though. 

[Richard Myers]

Yes,  out here that is what we split, oak. It is not fun! Advanced age?  29?  I thought 30 was getting "over the hill".

[Vicki]

DC (as a reminder of global warming)

 

I greatly prefer splitting wood to weeding, also. I don't consider it harder work, just more strenuous. Fine line.    We don't usually have many rounds to split so husband is kind to leave me the work I enjoy. However, this year there was more. I kindly reminded him there's a limit to how fun splitting firewood can be and the job was accomplished much more efficiently than normal.

If that storm holds off a bit tomorrow morning I'll have time to dig out more carrots and tackle a bit of weeding.  We also need to get a new compost trench dug before the ground freezes again. Seed packets are out in stores already - I'm ready to garden! Oh, to be able to just call it quits on this winter business and be done with it!