Oops, forgot to post here when we got home. Power and phone were back on when we got home. Got the minivan stuck in the driveway and had to dig it out twice before we could get it into its parking spot. From the blinking clocks we figured the power came back on around 2pm -- only a little over an hour before we got home, so pretty good guess on our part on when to return ;)

Roads were a mess coming back down Rt. 112 though, so we stayed home tonight.

So, we got a bit of snow here. With rain/freezing rain/sleet in the forecast for Monday, our porch roof and the sugarhouse roof needed clearing. L (fitzw) wrote about the sugarhouse roof. I didn't help with that, as shoveling around the minivan yesterday was enough for my body, and today I was taking care of washing, candling, sorting and boxing eggs while L was out shoveling the sugarhouse roof. Thankful that nephew L showed up (taking his girlfriend around to various spots for her photography class), and helped out with the roof!

Took a break for lunch at around 3:30, got a couple quick things done inside when we got home, then went out snowshoeing around the yard, checking things out. The little river has ice and snow over much of it; quite lovely to look at, as is much of the area.

Then we sat down for a few minutes, until I remembered that we still hadn't cleared the porch roof. So L got the roof rake and started using it from the upstairs hallway window, but it was tough going. The snow was a combination of snow from the previous snows, the most recent snow and, while we were away today, snow that had slid from the upper roof. Heavy, wet, compacted, and standing about 4' high at the highest points.

So I got out one of the long-arm car window cleaners and started hacking and pushing with it from the bathroom window that also overlooks the porch. Then realized that wasn't going to be sufficient, but that the snow compacted quite nicely so I could make "ground" to stand on, and off I went to get a shovel. L joined me with another shovel once he'd cleared as much as he could with the roof rake from the hallway window, and between the two of us the roof is in good shape for tomorrow. And thank goodness for that, as I don't think I want to move much more tonight!

We're as prepared as can be for Sandy, and settled in for the duration. Made our last egg delivery yesterday evening.

Been interesting checking the power outage pages. The repair teams are out on the roads, trying to keep things going. I hope they'll all be okay. Storm is definitely being felt up here, and this is just the leading edge. Eye is supposed to make landfall around 8:00 p.m.

Take care, folks!

In case anyone around here hadn't noticed, there's a bit of wind outside.... I certainly didn't need the online weather alert to tell me that, with the wind howling and whistling, trying to rip the windows off the house. Worse than the last wind storm, as I can hear the trees nearby creaking and groaning, poor dears.

West and south of MA, there's a big messy, windy and wet storm plowing through, knocking down trees and powerlines. 145+K homes without power starting in Oklahoma and traveling eastward. I expect those numbers to go up, as that storm travels through the south, picking up moisture off the Gulf. Currently main body of the storm's expected to plow through Virginia.

One newspaper article I read today had a power rep saying that with all the damage it could be up to five (5) days to get power to those who were able to receive it. Not quite verbatim, but close -- in other words, some homes will be without power for longer than five days, because there will be no way to get power to them. Had that problem last winter too, I think? Hope people have learned and have better emergency plans this time around.

Be careful and be prepared, folks.

... for surely the rain has been falling hard enough and thoroughly enough at times to remind me of some days when I lived in Hong Kong :(

L said just now that there's a forecast that we might be seeing a break in the rain starting on Sunday. I'll believe it when I see it.

Meanwhile, some of my potatoes can't drain well enough and are doing poorly. If we get a break in the rain today, we should get some hay and dirt to throw on top of them -- if they can survive long enough they might be able to start roots further up the stems and get above the soaking wet.

Might also be worth thinking about potting those rhubarb...

*sigh*

Well, could be worse. I could be living out there with them. So, housecleaning and re-org, and maybe even some sewing. My sore ribs and shoulders (staff work) and knees are relatively grateful for lighter duty as well today!

Really, it is. Yes, lots of snow out there. Doesn't mean it isn't spring. It's just early spring. But the critters know, just ask calygrey, who posted about skunks coming out, and her birds have started laying. Oh yes, and the crows are back.

Here, the trees were tapped on Saturday, and as soon as the weather flips to warm during the day (soon) and cold at night again, the sap will be flowing. But the trees have been getting ready for a few weeks now, so we know.... spring is here.

We'll get to the green part of Spring eventually ;)

There's snow everywhere of course, but the sun is out too. We have the grey muck on the roads of course but with the wide expanse of the field and the difficult to climb hill nearby, most of our snow is still white and lovely-looking. Good thing I don't mind it much, since in a few weeks I'll likely be climbing that hill...

Feeling somewhat better today. Not as achey, and the cold or whatever it is seems to be more in-hand at the moment (for me a true cold is completely unresponsive to allergy meds, and this thing has sort of responded to them, so not a full-blown cold).

Maybe today I'll actually accomplish something...

Shutdown of Thermohaline Circulation - Wikipedia entry of discussions and research regarding likelihood of the ocean's current being shut down by too high infusion of fresh water, etc. Reasonable wiki entry, useful for better understanding of articles on climate change, etc.

Has a global map of the THC.

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The Source of Europe's Mild Climate - regarding the myth that Europe's climate is mild directly because of the Gulf Stream/Atlantic Conveyor.

Z and gf Megan won't be making it up for the family Christmas -- too much snow. *sigh* My SIL Doris and her husband Patrick won't be making it either as she'll ill. Nephew Travis will probably have to work, given the weather (plowing), which would mean both he and his gf Beth wouldn't be there. Despite all the certain and possible absences, there would still be 25 people, including one very cute little baby (I'm not a baby person generally speaking, but this one is actually not funny-looking and is quite cute).

William is out with the tractor, plowing the driveways for the farm. Town has been by at least once this morning. I don't know how much snow we have but it is at least 7" and snow is still falling.

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Ashfield has a Solstice Celebration tonight. We didn't know about it in time last year, but will try to make it this year. Given the weather we'll see what the turnout's like. Juggler Meadow Morris is planning on being there - hope they can make it!

TIME: Gathering at 6:30 PM, Celebration 7:00 - 8:00 PM
PLACE: Ashfield Town Common
WHAT: Celebrating Winter Solstice with a Bonfire, Ancient Dance & Drama, Horn Dance, Morris Dancing, Songs, Stories

The flyer says meet on the Town Commons but I suspect some of this will be indoors.... not sure, guess we'll find out. And dress warmly, of course! Oh, and bring some change for when the dancers are bagging after their performances.

Ancient Dance and Drama will probably be doing the story of St. George and the Turkish Knight, a tale of life, death, and re-birth as well as some very cool sword dancing and much silliness too.

Laura, one of the ladies who run the hardware store, is definitely looking forward to it, even if, as she said, she just runs out to light a candle and then runs back inside for some cider :D

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Sunday morning Oakstone was to meet at the Sunwheel, but it's looking more likely that we'll be holding that astrally, sigh. Supposed to be more snow coming in Sunday morning. S is going to try to make it down to the sunwheel anyway, around dawn.

I have gifts for folks in our group -- not required or expected, but I do like finding things. Got a particularly nifty find for the D-Man.

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L's busy today already. He's helping Ma with the roasts, as they're quite heavy, as well as working on making oat farls and boiling sweet potatoes (prep for making the sweet potato dish is boiling them with their coats on).

I was going to be making whipped cream for the chocolate Yule log, but since Oakstone won't be getting together tomorrow. Hm.... maybe we can get together next weekend?

Jello salad is already done, completed that yesterday so it would be well set for today.

Wrapped all the presents yesterday. Will pop Z's into the mail on Monday.

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I should see about getting some sewing done today. Family gathering isn't until 3/3:30ish.

'tis Moving Day.

And an interesting day we had earlier, as I managed to pack and move some things, mostly up in the attic. L moved the heavier things of course. My mother called this afternoon with a bunch of computer techie problems (pretty easy stuff really, but she needs someone who's willing to repeat things several times without losing patience, and who can figure out what's going on from a very non-technical description -- L answered the one real software/security question, but now I know for future reference). Then we discussed a few book things, and then L came in and announced that it was snowing.

Snowing, and 48 degrees F outside.

Just a few flurries, but a reminder that we were going to be getting a hard frost tonight.

Plants are covered. More sewing accomplished. Kitties are settled finally. L is listening to ani-music - very cool.


May the new year bring you joy, good health, good company, lighter burdens, and illumination to light your way, wherever your path may lead you.