It seems we've had our snow since Veterans Day last November...that's because we have. And while January and February haven't added any to the 60-plus inches, neither has it taken any away.
And yet, we're moving into the latter days of February. Certainly there has to be a rainbow following our winter...but each morning when I search the Bismarck Tribune for the "good news" of a spring thaw, alas, I'm once again disappointed by a forecast that calls for "more of the same, subfreezing temperatures."
What makes this situation even more exasperating is that places like Billings and Rapid City -- where my relatives live -- have experienced temperatures in the 40s and 50s, recently!
Of course, it's this blanket of white covering our ground that keeps our temperatures so darn cold. Where once we had snow, we often have a sheet of ice...like on our sidewalks where man nor beast is safe to walk.
I've strategized about how to get rid of this nasty ice and return the sidewalks to something passable, but alas, there is not enough salt to melt the stuff because the water that causes the ice is coming from the piles of snow in my south-facing front yard.
So this winter, we've all learned to walk re-e-e-e-a-l slow and to walk with our feet squarely on the ground. If you see us hanging on to our cars, fences, houses or any other unmovable objects, it's because we don't want another ice-scraped thigh or butt cheek.
And yet I know that spring is coming for a variety of reasons. One, I've received my garden seed catalog from Guerney's. Two, we're about to file our taxes. Three, the sun is staying up longer in the evenings and coming up earlier in the mornings.
Yesterday, I stood behind a glass door in the front of our office building and felt the warm rays penetrate the double insulated transparent panes. However, when I decided to open the door and feel the sun's warmth, I quickly discovered the mirage. The warmth I felt indoors was aided by the 70 degree temperatures of the natural gas-heated building. The cold I felt outdoors was a reflection of the five-foot piles of snow.
So here's to spring, you beautiful thing, and be gone, you piles of snow.
Recipe - Aunt May's Famous Wheatcakes
-
Now Playing - Forever Young by Alphaville RECIPE: MAY PARKER'S FAMOUS
WHEATCAKES Originally made by my pal Pete's Aunt May, these wheatcakes are
a great...
10 years ago
4 comments:
I hear you, my silver lining is the hope that all this snow translates into much needed moisture this Spring. I don't mind the snow at all but sure could do without the ice. Hauling our garbage recepticle all the way up our driveway can be really interesting some mornings with no fenceposts or solid objects to hang on to.
I was speaking with a customer service rep. from Atlanta a couple of days ago. He was moaning about the 50 degree days they were experiencing. I slapped him with a reality check when I told him it was nine degrees here. He couldn't fathom why anyone would live here. I told him it was the quality of life. The next morning, I awoke to yet another winter day. My reality check came when I let the puppy out and discovered that it was below zero. Quality of Life? In February, I'm not so sure.
I used to salt our sidewalks for ice, but it deteriorated the concrete badly. I suspected it would happen, but with a pregnant wife I was able to take the chance.
Now I use a combination of things: 1) isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle. You'd be amazed how it works. And it evaporates.
2) a 500,000 BTU propane torch. Not only does it get rid of the ice, but it bakes my sidewalks so well that they turn completely dry and continue to evaporate more ice after I've quit torching them. Plus, it's fun.
I feel for you as I sip a cool one on my patio in 80+ degree sunshine. Oh the beauty of Arizona! While we had a great trip to your frigid state and we enjoyed seeing and spending time with everyone it does feel good to be home. I know what you mean about looking at the sunshine from the warmth of the house and then being surprised when you open the door. I don't know how I used to live there.
Post a Comment