Yesterday it warmed up to 40 F and I managed to get up on the hipped roof and shovel off a three foot perimeter, hoping to thaw out the gutters. We've got some major ice dams up there and there's no other way to deal with them. I was tempted to break them up with an ax but thought better of that! Today I might try sprinkling salt if the melt water hasn't found its own way out.

My lower back has earned some quality time soaking in the tub.

More snow and colder weather tomorrow.

Charley Noble, in Maine