Melting?

We have had some sun but not above freezing this morning anyway. I think it warmed up in the afternoon but I wasn’t home for that. 

But when I was feeding the birds, I got to enjoy some growing icicles.  I am starting to worry about the safety of the gutters now. 

 This has been the only section of sidewalk that I have managed to clear and keep clear.  Joe had said several years ago the he liked having at least some spot of no snow before coming into the garage. So that has been my motivation to keep this clear.  At least I was able to get the car down the driveway today. Since I am spending the night at the hospital with Mama, I don’t know if I will be able to get back in or have to walk. 

Waiting

We got about 6 inches of snow on top of the ice last night and today.  With just snow, the animals can usually paw or push it out of the way and still do some grazing.  But with the thick layer of ice, there is no grazing.  So everyone is just waiting on Joe to bring the hay. 

The goats have taken up with the horses.  I guess the cows are not as suitable as dining partners.  

The replacement heifers are next in line.  

And then the cows.  

 I don't think anyone is having much fun.  It is 7 degrees here now.  Looking forward to 2 degrees in the morning with 20 MPH winds, gusting to 40.  

Back To Ice

Ok, the flower break is over. Back to the real world of ice.  Condition continue to deteriorate. 

As you can see, some of the water troughs are still freezing up.   Joe has been taking a shovel to bust up the ice and scoop it out. 

The shovel also comes in handy to dig out foot holds so we can get back up the hills. 

Pretty much anywhere where the animals haven’t been or the tractor, is as smooth and slick as an ice skating rink.  Only, you don’t want to be skating on that slope.  Joe has already ended up in the electric fence once. 

 And now they are calling for more snow and wind tomorrow, lucky us. 

In Bloom At The 4Rs

I thought I would share something other than snow and cold today, flowers!

I picked up an amaryllis bulb at Walmart’s after Christmas clearance for $3. I am now regretting not getting more. It has been about a month and it is starting to bloom.  

I did have to stake it because the bloom was so big. And the orchid I got after Christmas at food lion for $1 is still blooming beautifully. 

And this tiny orchid Mitchell gave me for my birthday last year is back in bloom. 

 And lastly, a friend gave me some hyacinth bulbs 3 weeks ago. I had the vases from at least 27 years ago. I had almost put them in the donation box but decided they were too pretty and there could still be a chance to use them. Now, 27+ years , I have gotten that chance to use them again.  

Treacherous

Well, with temperatures staying from 0-20 and wind chills in the negative numbers, the 3 inches of packed snow and sleet has turned into solid ice.  

It may look pretty but it is treacherous.  Yesterday, Joe fell 5 times trying to get around to feed and bust water tanks.  Thankfully, he was not hurt.  It took me 3 times as long to feed the dogs last night.  The goats are preferring to hunker down under an old barn 1/2 a mile from the house.  

And when you have to walk with baby steps, everything takes longer.  

 

Aftermath

The precipitation wasn’t as bad as expected. We got about 3 inches of snow followed by some sleet then freezing rain. 

We had some wind gusts from the opposite direction as usual. My winter porch decoration took a tumble. I think the glass table top broke but the pot may be ok. 

The livestock are not too happy.  I think the freezing rain has made everyone miserable. And now the temperatures aren’t supposed to make it out of the teens for at least the next week.  So now we will have 3 inches of frozen packed snow with a layer of ice on top to negotiate.  At least we haven’t lost power yet. 
 

Rainbows and Snow

Virginia brought Sadie and Allie over for a visit before the weather got bad.  They had lunch, play Barbies and then Sadie wanted to do a craft.  She has seen me go to the computer and google kid craft so that is what she wanted to do.  She picked out a rainbow.  

This only required paint (I used Wrangler's old tempera panint), paint brushes, a paper plate. glue and cotton balls.  

Sadie's turned out beautiful.   She was very careful to keep the colors separated.   

Allie's was beautiful too.  She had a totally different technique that involved blotting everything with a paper towel.  We learned when you mix all the colors, you get brown.  

And then the snow started.  

 So far, it looks like the cold will be worse than the snow.  But it still remains to be seen.