BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 10:16 PM

I think this was Seattle's rain. I've tried sending it back there, but it won't go.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: ranger1
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 06:03 PM

Maggie, you want to share some of that rain? We're not where we ought to be in terms of rainfall up here at the moment and I don't want my park going up in a cloud of smoke...

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 11:23 AM

We were in the news for flooding on the other side of town. Must've gotten another inch or two overnight. This is June, right? Texas? Hot and dry is our usual pattern, but this year we've gone tropical.

Maybe a pina colada this time?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: MMario
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 10:02 AM

ONE HUNDRED DEGREE! No wonder you're in the tavern having a cool drink!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 08:56 AM

***100***

Whoo hoo! it's been a while!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 08:55 AM

Bright and sunny again now... at least the wind has picked up a bit so it's fresher.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 08:35 AM

I learned about gender.. we've all got at least one.

It did rain today and I did go dancing in it... but it only lasted a5 minutes. Still, you can tell it's midsummer... the rain was lovely and warm.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 04:26 AM

Ah Jenny... I sympathise with the soggy moggies... but better they head for a large comfortable-looking chair draped with a fake-fur chocolate coloured throw, and curl up in it than head for a large comfortable-looking chair draped with a fake-fur chocolate coloured curl, and throw up in it.

Last night's clouds are still here, there's not a breath of wind and it's unbearably muggy. If I had my choice, I'd curl up with those cats but I've got to go and learn about gender.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Jun 07 - 12:43 AM

Four and a half inches of rain here over the weekend and it is raining again right now.

Oy.

Something cold and wet would taste good, though. Make mine a dark beer, barkeep. And what do you have to eat back there? I'm a little tired of barbecued chicken.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: JennyO
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 11:14 PM

The Southern Hemisphere door is blown open and there stands a dripping JennyO with two bedraggled-looking black cats. She fights to close the door and starts peeling off layers of coats and raincoats, and throws them, along with an inside-out umbrella, into a corner where they make a puddle on the floor.

"It was hell down there!" she gasps. "I need a good stiff drink!" She makes her way to the bar and subsides onto a bar stool. "What have you got to warm me from the inside out?"

The two cats, their fur looking all wet and spiky, head for a large comfortable-looking chair that is draped with a fake-fur chocolate coloured throw, and curl up in it.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 09:22 PM

Make that two... we're having a monsoon in bits of the UK and I want to be prepared when it hits us.

At the moment it's coming in stits and farts - horrendous black clouds keep appearing but not actually dropping it on my garden. Places not 3 miles away are being flooded out and my garden is still dry. We need a good downpour for nothing else but to clear the air - it's terribly muggy and hot for 2.30am.

The sky out there is almost orange - low, dark clouds that reflect back the streetlights, but it's no cooler than it was 12 hours ago.

Good luck everyone, keep your powder dry and your martini's dryer.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: artbrooks
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 08:50 PM

Peering out over the upturned sofa, the sunburned elf responds, "Been a pretty crappy day for me. How about an Old Frothingslosh?"

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Alice
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 08:35 PM

We had a tornado watch here yesterday... crazy!
Never before experienced that. Rocky mtns don't usually get
tornados.
Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Jun 07 - 03:18 PM

Sage pushes open the door to the probably empty bar, shakes off her umbrella and hangs a dripping raincoat on a hook near the door. Wipes feet again on mat inside the hall. It's raining again in Texas. It rained on a barbecue yesterday, making it tough to keep the coals lit and the smoke coming to cook five chickens for a surprise birthday party later in the day. But she did it. Now she's tired, the party is over, and she's looking to see who is around for a relaxing beer of glass of wine. . .

"Anybody here?"

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: jacqui.c
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 02:45 PM

Rain again here and very grey and overcast. I went shopping so now I need a good glass of Chardonnay to relax me please (on Bert's card, as I spent all my cash!)

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Tinker
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 01:05 PM

Okay I got 8 more oversized (contractor) bags of trash out this week for a total of 14 to date, two buckets of silty dirt off the floor, and I I maight almost get to the end of the laundry by Monday.

but -- It's raining again. Liz I wish I could send it off across the pond, there is no place left for it to go here. The Goddess garden has added a small pond feature, but so far nothing is coming into the basement. But I'm much more ready than last time.....

Pour me a tall one

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: ranger1
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 10:03 AM

Liz, we haul 'em out into the woods and let 'em rot. If nothing else, it keeps the nutrients in the ecosystem. Also provides habitat for a large number of creepy-crawlies that in turn provide food for bigger things. The openings left in the forest allow more light to enter and other plants will get a chance to grow. It's just a lot of back-breaking work for Andy and me and the moment.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 Apr 07 - 07:23 AM

So Ranger - how's the toothpick business going then?!

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. You got pine trees... there has to be something!

Did you count the rings on the big tree? It would be fascinating to have a slice of that tree. Limpit's school has a slice of a tree that fell in 1986, with little markers and historical happenings over the 200 years the tree was alive.

Our rain never really happened... things are getting serious again. We REALLY need some decent rain overnight or else we're going to have hosepipe bans and rationing before we even hit midsummer. I'll do my best to conserve water by only drinking gin.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Rapparee
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 10:10 PM

Moose Drool, please. It's gonna be 82 F. this weekend (and, haha!, I'll be in the Tetons amidst the cool mountain breezes!).

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 08:56 PM

I suppose I should mention that when Mother's phone line came back on line, so did her Lifeline service. It triggered an alarm, and since "she" was not in residence the intrepid Georgetown First Responders came tearing up the driveway, emergency lights flashing. It was nice to see Rosemary and her crew, and Mother reassured them that she was fine and explained what had happened. And the cheered crew went off to monitor a house burning down on another part of the Island. We called Lifeline when we got back inside the farmhouse.

However, there are still problems with some of the phones in the house. Apparently the mobile phones need to be re-set because they're acting weird, ringing only once. Mother has a conventional phone as well but it's hard for her to reach with her walker and if she can't get there within 6 rings callers give up. So we'll try to re-set the mobile phones, take out their little batteries so that they really shut down. If that doesn't work I guess we'll have to buy another set of them.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: ranger1
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 07:02 PM

Liz, I'm a park ranger, not a forest ranger, so no tower. As for those big pine trees, in order to get them off the trails, they have to be made into small enough pieces that a little ranger can move them. Alas, too small for woodworking. Andy and I got the last of the big blockages on the trails done today, in between interviewing for new park receptionists. We had help in the form of two Maine Conservation Corps team leaders clearing the mess that used to be the picnic area. We should be in good shape by the end of next week and we can then start on all the tasks that we would have normally gotten done by now so that we can open the gates.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 03:10 AM

"I've spent the past three days with the boss and a chainsaw."

You have no idea how welcoming this sounds right about now.... although a flatbed scanner and a paper shredder might be just as good...

Sorry your trip has been cancelled Jacqui - but we always knew the old coot was full of it! Hope he's feeling himself soon.

Ranger - can you not find a quiet corner to season those fallen trees and in a couple of years set up your own pine furniture business? I bet you could whittle a rocking chair or three in your spare time up in the obs tower!

It rained properly last night - knew it would, because Manitas put the car through the carwash yesterday.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Apr 07 - 12:32 AM

Jacqui, you've been busy--I saw that a shawl of yours was delivered to Andrea (Mouldy) yesterday. Sit back, have a nice glass of wine, and here's a bowl of fresh peaches for Kendall. A friend of mine who has diverticulitis swears by them as helpful when he feels it flare up.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: jacqui.c
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 11:13 PM

And we've just had to turn around from our trip south as Kendall's diverticulitis has flared badly, making the journey impossible.

Last week I deleted one of those chain letters that threaten bad luck if you don't pass them on.......

A gallon of Chardonnay and a straw please.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: ranger1
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 07:26 PM

I've spent the past three days with the boss and a chainsaw. We might get the damage cleaned up by, say, oh, July maybe. On of the trees that went down was a red spruce with at least a 36 inch diameter. It was double-trunked and a very heavy tree and took out six other large trees when it went over, roots and all. It took part of the granite ledge underneath, too. Andy and I look at it, thought about it, talked it over, and decided that the easiest thing was to move the trail. We have cut down, cut up and removed aproximately 50 trees in the last three days. Some very few we can salvage for firewood, but the vast majority are spruces and pines and are no good for burning. They gunk up the chimney and cause problems. We have another ten on the trails to take care of and then about 15 in the picnic area. After the tree work, we have some major work to do on our wheelchair accessible trail to make it wheelchair accessible once more.

A pint of Bass would be lovely right about now.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 12:53 PM

I'm sitting here in dazzling sunshine again, our 'rain' forecast for today was barely a promise of a dribble... and it's really muggy - not right in April!

Ice me up with a Long Island tea please.... (I've always wanted to try one!)

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: MMario
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 10:42 AM

SRS: tea with raw honey from local sources. (or so I'm told)

me, I prefer something stronger. and caffienated!

It has been nice during the w*rking hours hereabouts - then rains just as I get home. not good for getting any yardwork done.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 10:37 AM

My driveway looked like a boat launch ramp for a while yesterday afternoon. Now it looks like low tide. After spending a couple of days last month picking up trash along our rural-looking road, we're back with a load of trash that washed downstream from neighboring Fort Worth. Darn!

What's something that's good for soothing an allergy headache? Set me up, barkeep, please!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 10:38 PM

Well, Mother and I were driving back to the farm after shopping and medical appointments, and sure enough as we came up the drive there was the telephone truck, and a nice young lady who was writing up her report. She went back to the farmhouse with us and made sure all the regular phones were working again. She even noticed that the line coming in was half-ripped off the house, and tacked it back up.

I think things is sorted out at last!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Mr Happy
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 08:30 AM

I saw a TV prog last night about extreme weather in Montreal - iced rain!!

Looked dreadful - any M/cats live there?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: jacqui.c
Date: 23 Apr 07 - 08:59 AM

And we're travelling south into the hot weather!

I think, this morning, a nice big cup of mint and nettle tea would be a good idea for a quick relax before ironing and packing and clearing the fridge and, and, and......

It will have to be a very QUICK relax!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: MMario
Date: 23 Apr 07 - 08:42 AM

talk about extreme weather - last monday was a snow day for many local schools about a foot of snow on the ground - and they expect it to be 80 degrees today.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Charley Noble
Date: 23 Apr 07 - 08:40 AM

Liz-

"a smooooth jar of potcheen"?

Sounds about as smooth as a Mason jar of White Lightning! (shudder)

Mother still doesn't have conventional phone service. I'm going to take another run down to the Farm tomorrow and see what other damage there was to the orchard and outbuildings.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Apr 07 - 05:31 AM

NOOO... the way to start your day the Irish way is with a smooooth jar of potcheen.... that'll kick start your motor!

I was drinking red wine last night so I'd rather be eased in gently with a cool pint of cranberry juice and a short blast of cola... Clears head and kidneys both.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 09:41 AM

Mother's finally back on the power grid, thanks to Central Maine Power Company and their intrepid crew of bushwackers. Lord knows how they managed to get past the troll that lurks under the winding stone bridge but maybe they brought some donuts along.

The stone bridge by the way is a relic from the 1800's where it was one of three boulder constructed dams on the stream outlet of the ice pond up in the woods. It's wider than the other two, and there was a small mill at the third dam, just above the cove where the boat house is now. The mill probably only operated in the spring for a few weeks.

Mother still isn't re-connected to the phone company but they'll probably show up in a couple of days now that there are some new poles to string lines on.

Nice and sunny, up in the 70's now!

Sure, how about some Irish coffee for starting up a new day!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 05:21 PM

Put a mug of something by for Sinsull, she's been having a crappy week.

I'd say make it a big one, but she'd only get the wrong idea....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 10:26 AM

Mother down at the farm on Georgetown Island could use another shot of bourbon and branchwater. She's still without conventional power or phone. Her propane back-up generator is still chugging along, and she is becoming more skilled at using her two cellphones. She's now learned to charge one while she's carrying around the other.

Her farm house is up and down a long winding driveway, and it's not surprising that she and her sister-in-law (who lives down the hill) are still off-line. However, since the Dead River propane delivery truck made it through, driving over the downed power lines, her neighbors are doing the same. As I've suggested in another thread, "Propane Bill," that raise the possibilities of adding new verses to my song which now looks like this:

PROPANE BILL
(to the tune of "Railroad Bill")

Driving down Stone Bridge Lane,
Just see old Bill running propane –
Drive on, Propane Bill!

Chorus:

Propane Bill, Propane Bill,
He never shirked, and he never will –
Drive on, Propane Bill!

Now Bill he drove a Dead River truck;
When they name it that you sure need luck –
Drive on, Propane Bill! (CHO)

The wind was high, and it was pouring rain,
But there was Bill driving propane,
Drive on, Propane Bill! (CHO)

There was downed power lines up ahead,
Bill hoped them lines was safely dead –
Drive on, Propane Bill! (CHO)

Bill stepped on the gas, and shifted gear,
And for miles around you could hear –
Drive on, Propane Bill! (CHO)

Now Bill's in Heaven with the angel band,
There's a ten-foot crater where he'd left the land –
Drive on, Propane Bill! (CHO)

Now Bill had a wife all dressed in blue,
She was heard to say, "My Bill's overdue!"
Drive on, Propane Bill! (CHO)

Why, thank you, I'll have a bourbon and branchwatter as well.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: ranger1
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 07:28 PM

80+ fallen trees, 3 smashed picnic tables, a wheelchair accessible path that is no longer wheelchair accessible and about $5000 worth of damage to just one of many state parks in a state park system that was already strapped for cash.

Pour me another, please.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: MMario
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 11:37 AM

Fallen trees can be great! We had a large willow that eventually fell in a hurricane - it had some roots still embedded (and it was a willow, so grew more) but we did have to trim back most of it because it just was too untidy and taking up too much room. but the "stump" (actually about a 10 foot section of trunk) remained for many a year more, eventually being replaced by one of the "suckers"

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 11:30 AM

Ranger - I hope the damage is cosmetic rather than drastic... but even if trees have been uprooted, it just provides a fallen tree for fungus, mould, insects and beetle-eaters, and leaves space and light for the next generation to take advantage.

There are few sadder sights than an uprooted tree, except one that has been cut down before its time.

Pour me a stiff one, barkeep, I feel the winter chills!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 09:53 AM

Supposed to be in the 80s here today. Iris going strong, some late daffodils are out, salvia greggi blooming big, waiting on the vitex to move into prominence. Texas star hibiscus are coming up in several places, and several volunteer plants need to be moved. Lots to see and do in the yard this weekend. Someone please have a hammock ready in the shade so I can catch a quick nap after lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 09:49 AM

I've got a seven day cycle. Every seven days I take the washing off it.

:)

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: MMario
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 08:55 AM

suppossed to be sunny and in the 60's (f) this weekend. we tend to be on a seven day cycle which bodes well.

Picked up a dozen primroses on sale yesterday and plugged them into the garden - they should be hardy enough to keep blooming.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 08:49 AM

My Lily of the Valley have been opening in the last couple of days. What with them and the pittisporum flowers, my garden smells heavenly in the evenings... Again, it's dry, sunny and warm - almost hot, here in London. I'm sitting here with the window wide open, letting in the warm air, watching the silly pigeon on her stick platform (can't really grace it with the name 'nest') and I'm supposed to be sewing...

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 08:36 PM

One of the brighter moments was seeing the crocus re-emerging through the snow. They are tough little fellas!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: ranger1
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 08:32 PM

I've spent the last two days assessing damage to the state park I work at and starting the clean-up. It's been a very depressing two days.

Laphoaig, please.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Susan A-R
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 08:16 PM

Wow! 6 inches of heavy, wet snow in my yard Monday (Montpelier was one of the few places in Vermont that didn't lose power) and today it's 65 and my crocuses are blooming. No snow. It's sort of gin and tonic weather today, so I think I'll have one and toast spring.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 04:45 PM

Glad to hear things are improving over there... line me up another of Jamaica's finest please - it's been a difficult day!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 01:01 PM

Here's the recently revised version of "Propane Bill":

PROPANE BILL


Driving down Stone Bridge Lane,
Just see old Bill running propane –
Drive on, Propane Bill!

Chorus:

Propane Bill, Propane Bill,
He never shirked, and he never will –
Drive on, Propane Bill!

Now Bill he drove a Dead River truck;
When they name it that you sure need luck –
Drive on, Propane Bill! (CHO)

The wind was high, and it was pouring rain,
But there was Bill driving propane,
Drive on, Propane Bill! (CHO)

There was downed power lines up ahead,
Bill hoped them lines were safely dead –
Drive on, Propane Bill! (CHO)

Bill stepped on the gas, and shifted gear,
And for miles around you could hear:
Drive on, Propane Bill! (CHO)

Now Bill's in Heaven with the angel band,
There's a ten-foot crater where he'd left the land –
Drive on, Propane Bill! (CHO)

Now Bill had a wife all dressed in blue,
She was heard to say, "My Bill's overdue!"
Drive on, Propane Bill! (CHO)

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Extreme Weather Tavern
From: MMario
Date: 19 Apr 07 - 09:46 AM

IV caffiene please.

My sister sent me a link to a new Dickons themed park in the UK - because they were advertising for performers "at competitive hourly rates". Oddly enough - in the job decription for the "performers" were "stock rotation", register operation, and similar tasks.

something tells me there wouldn't be much "performing"