It Took a Week

We had our first, and what I hope is only, blizzard at the beginning of the month. With my home office right outside the deck, I would watch the snow pile up on the deck railing.

At this point, Sunday morning, February 1st, it wasn't that much. But, two hours later, another couple inches had been added.

It was coming down fast at 11 a.m.. By sunset on Sunday, the storm had passed and I was looking at what would be the next day's adventure, shoveling 15 inches out of my yard to be able to get to work on Tuesday.

When I came home on Tuesday, we'd had some melting and the snow on the railing looked like this.

The stuff hanging over the edge intrigued me. I wondered how long it would be able to stay attached to the body on the railing and, also, how long it would take to melt the main mass there in the front. So, rather than knock it off, I decided to leave it. On Wednesday, February 4th, although it was cloudy, the temperatures were over 32 degrees and we had more melting.

It didn't look like much, if any change. The big change was to come.

I forgot to take photos on Thursday and Friday, but this was the status on Saturday at noon.

What I find interesting is the "lip" is still there. Some of it has fallen, but it's clear where a big bulk of snow was and is still attached to the railing. By Saturday sunset, this is what the railing looked like.

I'm not sure if the "lip" fell off or simply melted away, but it's gone by 4:15 p.m.

By Sunday noon, the snow was completely gone.

We're in the grip of some cold weather. If this cold had come right after the blizzard, I'd probably still have snow on the railing. I didn't get all the snow shoveled off the deck, as you can see, so what's there is now frozen pretty hard. I need a warm up to be able to move that.

I also need to restain the deck this spring.

Beverage:  Water

Deb

A Spot of Color

There has been quite a bit of singing in the backyard lately. I swear I have heard the call of a robin but it's way, way too early for them. I have the usual chickadees. Their call is so fun; chicka-dee-dee-dee.

The usual call in the winter is from this bird.

There have always been at least one nesting pair in my yard. I used to think I recognized them, but I can't say that I do anymore. I know one pair uses the birdbath when it's liquid because I see the female at it.

This guy is really red and provides a smile in the dull of a gray February day.

Beverage:  Water

Deb

Just Making Sure

We've had quite a bit of snow this February. These are the kinds of snows we usually get in December, or should get anyway. The temperature hovers around freezing and it's perfect for snowmen and snowball fights.

Pam and I went out to brunch on the 23rd. We had over 2 months to catch up on and the place selected was quite busy, so we decided to finish talking by taking a leisurely drive around our fair town. We were just north of the downtown, adjacent to Memorial Park. There are a lot of one-way streets in town and this can get you confused, particularly around the park, if you aren't paying attention.

We're both of a certain age to remember when a pile like that was a prime tunneling candidate or you played "King of the Hill" on it. An adult passing by would yell, "Be careful kids" before waving and continuing on. This struck us both as humorous. I guess it's is one way to make sure you go the right way, pile the snow from the street on half of the roadway.

Beverage: Lady Gray tea

Deb