Friday, 6:50 pm: The last few days I’ve spent more time on the roof than I have for a long time. It’s difficult to imagine all the snow and ice that accumulated and needed to be shoveled and scraped off. It’s very labor-intensive work. I think I am safe for now, at least until the next snow storm. The snow banks are so high we can’t even see our dogs walking around in the backyard. And it’s getting to be a problem in a few places, when using our snowblower; it can’t blow it out far enough over the high snow banks, so much of the snow come right back into the pathway. Eventually I’ll figure something out. At least for tonight it is supposed to be clear with sub-zero temperatures – no snow!

Ruth and our manicured icicle

Meanwhile, we drove into Madawaska earlier today and many people were out on their roofs with snow scoops and shovels clearing the accumulated snow and ice. I thought we had a lot, but some houses were almost buried in snow. A few places on Route One still had patches of snow and ice.

Our house from the road

Back at the ol’ homestead we lost our rural mailbox, again, to the town’s snowplow. That’s twice within seven days. I think it’s a record. The driver has a keen eye and a heavy foot. High speed snowplowing is a winter sport up here in the North Country. Needless to say I’ll send the driver a certificate of appreciation.

Our soon to be gone mailbox

Current values from our wireless Davis Vantage-Pro weather station:

Temperature: 6.3° [F.]

Barometer: 29.822 & rising rapidly

Humidity: 57%

Wind: N at 2 mph light & variable

Visibility: > 3 miles

Skies: Generally clear

Precipitation: Occasional snow flurries earlier

Since midnight:

Low temperature: 2.5° [F.] at 12:31 am

High wind: 19 mph at 4:35 pm