March 2007
March 26, 2007
Spring?
Sandy and Cosmo on a high snow bank by our living room window
Monday, 9:20 am: After much procrastination and general laziness I am back to my blogging efforts. I’ve moved from the theoretical to the practical realm of writing again, lest I completely forget how to write. The point wasn’t far away when my writing skills would become extinct.
This spring seems to have been a mixture of rain, freezing rain, snow and wind. Our snow banks have a thick layer of ice which is strong enough for our dogs to walk and slide on, but not quite strong enough for people. Soon mud season will be upon us and everything will be awash in a good solid coating of mud. Back in Arizona, I think, it is about time for the desert wildflowers to start blooming.
Meanwhile back at the ol’ homestead; our trip to downtown Europe is still on-track. My wife, finally, let her family know we are coming for a visit, and they are busy over-planning our five-day stay with them. But that is only five out of the 21 day trip. I can only see so many museums and old churches. I’m more of a student of popular culture and kitsch. That’s it for my mental flatulence for today. It’s teatime.
Current values from our Vantage-Pro weather station:
Temperature: 27° (F.)
Barometer: 30.0261 & Steady
Humidity 53%
Wind: Calm
Visibility: > 3 miles under cloud base
Skies: 100% overcast
Precipitation: None
Since midnight:
Low temperature:15.9° (F.) at 3:58 am
High wind: 3 mph at 9:12 am
March 09, 2007
A Very Cold Week
Friday, 1:40 pm: Another very cold week is about over. Yesterday our high temperature was MINUS 2.1° (F.). Any work that was done outside was done in short bursts of speed and energy. The previous days, besides being very cold, the wind blew just about nonstop. Gusts in the high 20s were common with one gust up to 30 mph. It blew so long and so hard that it was difficult to sleep with the north wind pummeling our house. The wind chill was down to -29° (F.).
Luckily today is a relatively warm, 19° (F.) as I type. There is no time to dawdle, because work needs to be done outside. Drifting snow has blocked a few of our walking paths and they need to be cleared. Ice needs to be chipped away and firewood brought inside. I sound like a real working man.
My lackluster energy over the past few days is, today, being bolstered by liberal amounts of caffeine. At least today I can be outside for more than a few minutes at a stretch. Coffee and frigid weather; what a work combination! Onward to my local weather and other uncontrollable things:
Current values from our wireless Vantage-Pro weather station:
Temperature: 18.9° (F.)
Barometer: 30.262 & falling slowly
Humidity: 30%
Wind: NW at 5 mph light & variable
Wind chill: -14° (F.)
Visibility: > 3 miles
Skies: Clear
Precipitation: None
Since midnight:
Low temperature: -7.6° (F.) at 2:08 am
High wind: 16 mph at 9:10 am
Low wind chill: -13° (F.) at 2:37 am
March 03, 2007
After the Storm
Saturday, 3:30 pm: The storm came and went and left about 7½ inches of snow. I was out at 5:00 am today with our snowblower clearing our driveway and the paths our dogs use to explore the backyard. I was pooped when I eventually came back inside and konked out until 9:30 am. I think, originally, the NWS said to expect about 18 inches of snow. Winter weather here is always problematic and a test of my stamina, or lack of it is probably a better description.
On Friday we drove to Presque Isle. Luckily we were just ahead of the storm on the drive home. About the time we unloaded the car and put it in our garage, the snow started and didn’t stop until early this morning. Even with the storm, our daytime temperatures, today, have risen to 35° (F.). It rose just enough above freezing to make it slick this evening when the water refreezes, which at the moment is only one degree away.
In Fort Kent the Can-Am Sled Dog Races have begun. The mushers and their dogs are racing through the northern Maine countryside. I’m not certain, but I think the dogs enjoy the race more than their human companions. At the start of the races [three in all] most of Main Street in Fort Kent is blocked off and crowded with spectators and dog teams waiting their turn to start. It’s quite a sight to see.
Current values from our wireless Vantage-Pro weather station:
Temperature: 30° (F.)
Barometer: 29.435 & steady
Humidity: 72%
Winds: Calm
Visibility: > 3 miles
Skies: Generally clear with a few scattered clouds
Precipitation: 7 ½ in. snow since yesterday
Since midnight:
Low temperature: 14.5° (F.) at 5:17 am
High wind: 17 mph at 11:53 am
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