Winter apocalypse to "we seem to be having an early spring"

Until very recently we were bordering on extreme winter conditions from mid January to a week and a half ago. A large amount of snow towards the end of that period and a lot of work managing the clean up, can't say I didn't get my share of exercise. Then after the last snow (~16") on Feb 16th we began a stretch of sunny days, temps reaching to the 40s, 50s and even 60s. Snowbanks some as tall as myself around the parking area, dog paths and deck are down to a foot or two, and the couple of feet of snow on the roofs has disappeared. No complaints here. Snow eating fog made an appearance particularly Friday evening as Carol returning from a exercise class drove a half mile beyond the house before frightfully realizing she missed our driveway. Quite sunny today with mid 30s and a breeze. Expecting March to come in like a lamb and hope the lion doesn't appear later in the month.

Finally!

The inevitable has arrived, my winter cold has begun to settle in. An almost constant drip from the left side of my sinuses relentlessly marches on in spite of taking a decongestant. Went into the office and took care of a few things then bailed out for home, rest and emptying out a box of tissues. Is my nose sore. Did get in a short nap and watched my John Carter DVD. Fortunately the weather has been and will continue to be mild, Not a great time to be out clearing snow from the driveway and yard.

One would have been plenty

Had enough yet? The aforementioned mentioned snowstorm did arrive but not quite as much as the 20 - 26 inches forecasted, only about 14 inches Sunday night through Monday soon to be corrected on Wednesday when another nor'easter came through and dumped 16 inches throughout the day and well into the night. Just for good measure the power went out a couple times. After supper that night Carol and I cleared the driveway and walkways during a lull of falling snow to help manage the cleanup which at that point was about maybe 8" by Thursday morning another 8 had fallen while and was still lightly snowing when I went out at 5:30am to open the driveway up so Carol could leave for work. I kept at it until all was cleaned up and left for work. At that point there was 4 feet of snow surrounding the house and 6 to 7 feet of snowthrower piled snow along some walkways and parts of the parking area. where to put more snow should in come was going to be problem. Fortunately we are now in a long span of sun and mild winter temperatures, almost too warm today as I was shoveling out some spots wearing a long sleeve T shirt as temps reached into the 50s! The large piles have settled a foot in some places so I'm inclined to let nature do it's thing and stay out of the way.

“If you don't like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.”

― Mark Twain

An inconvenient truth

Snow is inconvenient. Since the previous report of recent "wintry mix" weather events just a plain nor'easter snow arrived Thursday night. By the time it was done early Friday there was an extra 14 inches of snow and I began 3 hours of hour of cleanup before getting ready and leaving for work. The snowthrower has earned an oil change today after I do a quick clear of the driveway and getting 4 inches of Ivory Flake snow so I can run some errands that includes picking up the oil. The fun doesn't end there, another nor'easter is arriving tomorrow afternoon to run into Monday evening (night?) Here on Ledge Hill we're sitting in the middle of the 20 - 26 inch forecast. Better change the oil in the generator as well.

Old Airedales scoff at snow.. then take a nap.

A bit of a mess... and then some

Hanging around the house today. Initially the plan was refilling a couple of 5 gallon pails (max./visit) of sand and salt at the town's salt barn for icy driveway days then going into the office late or if the workload was light taking the whole day off. The barn is open for residents weekdays 8:30 to 4pm. The wrench in that plan was the snow coming through today that by the way changes over to sleet and rain overnight. That makes about 3 mid-week "wintry mix" events in a row. I settled on the taking the day off - sort of - I had brought some work home and picked up a little more when checking office email. Now the icing on the cake, another messy storm is coming in Thursday morning, mostly snow. Little early to think about putting away the shovels away.

That wasn't quite what I was expecting

I wasn't that far of the mark with my "optimistic" prediction but how it came about was far from anything I was expecting. The New England Patriots came from far behind in the later part of the Superbowl to win the Championship in overtime 34 to 28.

Another Superbowl Sunday

The end is near - well the end of the NFL season with the playing of the championship game, the Superbowl tonight. After that the remaining days of winter get a lot longer. Though the Green Bay Packers didn't make it this year at least the regional team, the New England Patriots are playing and I do follow them quite closely so I'll be rooting for them to win. The big difference between rooting for them or the Packers is when the Patriots lose I don't feel crushed about it. The thing about the Packers' playoff lost is that it still stings. That will fade soon as the season will be over after today's game and the whole process resets.

Optimistic Prediction: Pats 37 - Falcons 30
Gut Prediction: Falcons 28 - Pats 17
Predictable Prediction: Guinness and mini-pizzas for game time meal.