February 2008
February 29, 2008
Leaping Lizards - It's Leap Day!
Friday, 10:00 am: Here it is; Leap Day. Will I still be writing a weather blog when the next leap day comes along? Stay tuned in four years. In any case, back to weather; it’s cold and clear. As I type I am listening to Internet radio. I need to stay up-to-date on world news; although there’s not much I can do about it here in the hinterland. I am, nevertheless, well-informed.
My wife’s laptop computer crashed for the second time in a few months. It appears it has been overheating. The battery and the microprocessor were getting too hot. After a few easy fixes, it seems to be working okay and running much cooler. We take the battery out while using regular 120V outlet power, and we bought a small powered laptop cooling platform with built-in fans. Temperamental electronics hold us hostage to their whims.
We’re gearing up for another snow storm this weekend. The storm a few days ago left us with about 7½ inches of snow. Our snowstake now measures 26 inches. Prior to a few days of significant melting last week it was about 35 inches. No photos today, just lots of brilliant white. Until next time - Ciao!
Current values from our wireless Davis Vantage-Pro weather station:
Temperatures: 2.7° [F.]
Barometer: 30.533 & rising slowly
Humidity: 49%
Wind: NE at 3 mph – rising slowly
Visibility: > 3 miles
Skies: Clear
Precipitation: None
Since midnight:
Low temperature: -20° [F.] at 6:28 am
High wind: 7 mph at 9:47 am
February 23, 2008
Snowshoes and Espresso
Sunday: 9:05 am: More weather from the frozen north. Actually today it is relatively warm. And it’s warm enough at 17° [F.], my wife and I will be snowshoeing back into the woods to visit our neighbors. They’re not elves, but they do live far back in the woods, off the grid, and bake cookies and other tasty edibles.
As for our house, my wife is cooking some goulash with assorted aromatic spices. It smells good with paprika wafting through the house. When it’s simmered for a few hours it will be a nice warm stick to your ribs supper this evening. It’s an authentic recipe from the old country. Hmmm, Hungarian goulash from Germany: How can that be? And served with freshly baked French bread, I’m even more confused. It must be that European Union [EU] influence. Those crafty Europeans!
Back to the supposed theme of this blog – weather. We have it: It’s white. It’s cold, it’s winter and it's Maine. Luckily, for today, it’s clear. The snow storm that struck New England last week hit well south of us. For all of the disruption it caused elsewhere, we only had a light dusting of snow. Not even enough to shovel.
It’s time to plug in our espresso machine and brew a few cups to help us prepare for our snowshoeing adventure in the woods.
Current values from our wireless Davis Vantage-Pro weather station:
Temperature: 16.7° [F.]
Barometer: 29.903 & steady
Humidity: 58%
Wind: W at 1 mph very light & variable
Visibility: > 3 miles
Skies: Clear
Precipitation: None
Since midnight:
Low temperature: - 4.2° [F.]
High wind: 10 mph at 8:39 am
February 20, 2008
Live from the North Country
Wednesday, 8:30 am: It’s back to cold again. Just two days ago it was 46° [F.]. We were in for a round of luck; with the warmth, came melting snow. For the moment, all accumulated snow on our roof has melted and what remained was shoveled and removed. As one person told me; summer is only 2,000 miles away: It’s called Florida.
As for the continuing saga of our mailbox; it took another hit on Monday. We were annoyed enough to call our town selectman and complain. Our property has been ransomed again, the taxes have been paid, and we’re free for another tax year. And supposedly we get a Federal tax rebate in spring, is that taxable? Life can be too complicated. If only life could be a point and shoot camera with a one-size fits all approach.
Off we go to town in a few hours. It’s shopping day. Highway One should be clear and the weather seems okay for our small trip to Presque Isle. However, our road is very slippery. Luckily, though, we only have to drive 1½ miles on our road until we get to the highway. It’s not the Yellow Brick Road and we don’t have a Wizard to clear our road. He was a bit of a crank anyway. Until next time, I’m not a Munchkin and this is not Oz.
Current values from our wireless Davis Vantage-Pro weather station:
Temperature: 6.4° F / -14.2° C
Barometer: 29.752 in / 1007.3 hPa
Humidity: 67%
Wind: Calm
Visibility: < 3 miles
Skies: Partial cloudiness
Precipitation: ca. 1 inch -- snow
Since midnight:
Low temperature: 5° [F.] at 6:42 am
High wind: 11 mph at 1:59 am
February 15, 2008
Is this enough snow?
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
February 10, 2008
Snow on Sunday
Sunday, 9:15 am: The temperature’s up, the humidity’s up and it’s snowing. There’s nothing on the agenda for today, with the possible exception of using our snowblower later. But that’s later and I hope it doesn’t involve too much work. My muscles are a bit stiff: I was busy the last two days clearing snow and ice off our porch roof. The most difficult part of the work was not sliding off the roof. I am not entirely graceful when, The Red-Haired Human Flying Machine plummets through the air. Those arms and legs are everywhere. I remain intact and unbroken.
Notwithstanding these adventures, rural life is generally quiet. It’s difficult to imagine spring is not too far off. Nine years ago we traded urban life in Phoenix for rural life in northern Maine. After a learning experience for the first few years we’ve adjusted well. I have to admit, television advertising reminds me daily of many wonderful places to eat, or with a quick telephone call pizza delivery is just minutes away. All of that is just wishful thinking up here in the far North Country. Out of necessity we’ve become very creative and enjoy our own cooking.
My wife bought a fruitcake last week. In previous years I thought fruitcakes were generally good for gagging, paperweights and doorstops, or sneaking bits to our dogs under the table – they really like it. Recently, though, fruitcake doesn’t taste too bad. I attribute it to the aging process and the activation of those taste receptors in my brain that were dormant for so long. Fruitcake; can you imagine that? Perhaps I misjudged it? As for weather, here ya’ go:
Current values from our wireless Davis Vantage-Pro weather station:
Temperature: 21.8° [F.]
Barometer: 29.674 & falling rapidly
Humidity: 81%
Wind: SE at 1mph – very light and variable
Visibility: < ½ mile – snowing
Skies: 100% low overcast
Precipitation: Currently snowing
Since midnight:
Low temperature: 12° [F.] at 12:12 am
High wind: 5 mph at 4:38 am
February 05, 2008
It's Snowing - Again!
Tuesday, 8:45 am: Snow and northern Maine – well there you go. How unique is that? We are prepared for relatively heavy snow, but, as usual, I’ll believe when I see it. In any case the snowblower is filled with gas and ready to roll. Actually I like snow, but anything one likes has to be taken in moderation, which is not one of my stellar virtues.
It’s tax time once again and I don’t think income-tax preparation is embedded in my genetic code. Luckily my wife is getting our receipts and other financial papers sorted out. She has infinitely more patience than I have for such work, and she enjoys the challenge. If she were in the Army I am certain she would be awarded a medal for meritorious achievement.
But for today, I am celebrating my own personal, and very fictitious, holiday; “National Slow Brain Day”. Today, my brain’s synapses and neurons are [again] just trundling along in low gear. Yikes! Am I lazy or what? Then again I am allegedly retired. Life’s always a balancing act between too much and too little. It sounds like material for stand-up comedy. I better leave it to the comedians to decide.
Current values from our wireless Davis Vantage-Pro weather station:
Temperature: 5.2° [F.]
Barometer: 30.205 & falling rapidly
Humidity: 79%
Wind: Calm
Visibility: < 1 mile
Skies: 100% low overcast – snowing
Precipitation: It just started snowing
Since midnight:
Low temperature: -3.5° [F.] at 3:07 am
High wind: 2 mph at 8:25 am
February 01, 2008
Snow and Ice Are on the Way
Friday, 8:30 am: Another storm is on its way this afternoon and evening. We are supposed to get several inches of snow, somewhere in the range of 8 to 10 inches. With that weather threat in mind we’re off to town this morning to do our weekend shopping early, before ice and snow coat the roads. My ability to drive on icy roads can be a real eye-opener and a bit too thrilling.
Just a few days ago, on January 30th, our high temperature was 40° [F.]. Snow was melting everywhere. Since then everything has refroze and is very slippery. We even saw our neighbor skiing down our road. Our other neighbor packed up his van and headed to Florida. And we got our snowblower back and in good working order after a needed repair in Madawaska.
At the moment the hardest part is to get motivated, get dressed and drive into town. Our Winter Storm Watch will be turning into a Winter Storm Warning, which means I can’t procrastinate much longer and need to get moving. Let’s see, did I cover everything I wanted to include in this blog; probably not. Any additional comments and observations will need to be included in my next effort.
Current values from our wireless Davis Vantage-Pro weather station:
Temperature: 0° [F.]
Barometer: 30.790 & rising slowly
Humidity: 71%
Wind: Calm
Visibility: ca. 3 miles
Skies: 100% overcast
Precipitation: None
Since midnight:
Low temperature: -6.2° [F.]
High wind: 6 mph at 12:02 am
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