BS: ICE - the winter kind

Subject: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 06:47 PM

I left work a few minutes early because they were talking about icy roads. SHEESH! I nearly broke my neck walking half a block to the parking garage. The sidewalks are sheets of ice about 1/4" thick and clear. Home now after a graceful slip and slide across my driveway and a thoroughly embarrassing crawl up the front steps - even the railing is coated with thick clear ice. The weather reports are really bad - ice, sleet, rain, and more ice.
Power outages expected. I have flashlights and batteries and lots of canned soup, but horror of horrors I am out of cat treats. Anybody else hunkering down?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Rapparee
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 06:50 PM

I started hunkering about the end of September....

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Becca72
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 06:50 PM

Leaving work now and thinking of calling my sister to stay at her house..she's about 4 miles from work whereas my own place is about 17 miles...

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 06:53 PM

You are welcome here. Be very careful. Walking is treacherous.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 07:17 PM

Sins:

I am shocked. Shocked!! Here you are fresh out of a sickbed.

1. You have no business being up.
2. You have no business going outside.
3. I get the impression you are doing some sort of slip-slidey thing, which is proabbly unwise in your enfeebled condition.
4. The implication in your post that you are also getting cold worries me.
5. What is this "ice" of which you speak? We have a thing called by that name here in San Diego, but we use it to cool our single malt with, and it presents no risk to the health.


A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: ranger1
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 07:18 PM

Mary, the cats are going to mutiny! Sleep with one eye open!

I left work two hours early, the interstate was posted down to 45 mph and was amazed at the number of idiots speeding past me. No problems getting home, until I went to turn into the parking lot of our building and slid sideways into my parking space. Landlord's son came out, headed off to a job and almost landed on his butt. Has the landlord done anything about our ice-glazed front steps? Why no, he hasn't. As usual.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Jeri
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 07:30 PM

Amos, FEH! Ice in single malt!!??...! Were you raised by wolves? Next thing you know, you'll be pouring it into your coffee. FEH!

I went outside to get the mail and de-iced my porch. I noticed the glazing on my car, but I came back inside and haven't been back out since. The high temp on Saturday is supposed to be 17°F. (Might have changed, but it's still gonna be cold.) I have coffee and food, and I'm good for a while unless the power goes out.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: ranger1
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 07:52 PM

Sigh. I almost killed myself trying to get the dogs in. Now I have to leave the neighbor's comfy house to trek back across the street to our little hole in the wall. Wish me luck climbing the outside stairs. At least I have permission from the boss to be as late as I need to be to get to work safely. Including not coming in at all, if the roads are too dangerous.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Sorcha
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 08:02 PM

Hell, just feed the cats tinned soup. They'll love it. Wyoming is still quite nice.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 08:15 PM

It crossed my mind Amos as I slid across the street in Portland that it would be ironic if I finally got rid of this monstous bug only to fall on my ass and break my hip.

My front and back porches are glazed with ice but Freddie insisted on going out. He flew out when I opened the door, slid across the porch, caught his footing only to slide off the top step to an unceremonious landing on the ground. Once i was sure he wasn't hurt, I laughed. He came back in the front door - slightly less treacherous.

I hope Seamus will be OK. I have lots of salt here and soup. But I hate it when there is no hot water. Wew'll see.

All the trees and wires are glazed. If it is anything like this in the morning. I will stay home tomorrow. I would imagine there will be late openings. The salt trucks are out already and this is suppose to last all night.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 08:49 PM

Storm coming this way on Saturday night will bring below zero temps.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 09:06 PM

I left work (Fox Run Mall in Portsmouth, NH) at 8:00 PM (have I mentioned that retail sucks?) and spent a number of minutes in the parking lot de-icing my windshield, rear windshield, windshield wipers, etcet etcet. The car was encased in clear ice.

Driving, while not particularly great, wasn't as bad as I expected. It was raining. The trees, I think, were covered in ice and sort of looked white. They were probably very beautiful, but I couldn't take my eyes off the road.

Never went faster than 45 -- expected it to get slippery once I got west of Rte. 125. (125 is a weather line.) Didn't have any trouble making the turn on to Freeman Hall Road or going down the hill or turning onto Priest Road -- and I didn't continue down the hill when I asked the car to turn into the driveway. The car turned rather docilely.

Breathed a sigh of relief, though, at being home. Wipers had just started to ice up. Tom came out on the deck and spread ashes so I could walk up the stairs (the handrail was shiny ice -- as was every other surface), across the deck and get safely into the house.

I'm leaving the computer right now for a well deserved piece of Tom's pecan pie and a snifter of rum.

The weather tomorrow is supposedly going to be sucky -- and I have to open. (Have I mentioned retail sucks?)

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 09:29 PM

Well, we have our own woes. We've been having this lovely warm wind thing called a Santa Ana for the last few days and it is supposed to end. There will be water, instead of light, falling all around from the sky. (Hopefully, at least, no more jet fighters). But we will buckle down and grit our teeth and bear the sufferings of hard winter. It will only last a few days and then the sunlight will start falling. You've never seen winter until you've been through a San Diego December sunlight storm. It covers the trees, the roads get bright and shiny, the roofs and porches are just covered with this bouncing radiance. Gruesome. And you have to mow the lawn and trim the flowers because of it too. It drives people--especially the shapely young ones--into all kinds of odd behaviors, including dancing on wave-tops and running around town with their cleavages exposed. You should hear the old folks complain!!! Sigh. The gutters get choked up with sunlight, and the streets get clotted up with these half-naked lithe college students.

So I guess I feel your pain.



A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 09:34 PM

Yeah, Amos -- and I just got a letter from my cousin in Yuma, Arizona. It was wrapped in a Christmas card of a snowy cathedral landscape. What's with that?!?

Santa Anas can drive you mad, just like the Mistral. It can also add nastyness to any fires that get started.

Amos, you can keep the Santa Anas! Ice I'm not crazy about. A little bit of snow is nice -- especially if it goes away before it turns black from car exhaust and general pollution.

I like the change of seasons, but I'm glad I have an all wheel drive car and good tires!

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 09:41 PM

Amos-

I feel a tremendous urge to help you really feel our pain. That thought is very wrong, I know, but it helps me cope with the treacherous weather that we're experiencing, and will be experiencing for the next 24 hours. We didn't get more than a dusting of snow in this part of Maine so far but the rain is freezing to everything and by morning the tree branches will be coming down, and the trees, and the electrical and phone lines within reach of same. We'll be cut off from the world (not really a bad thing), all on our own with our candles, battery powered LCD lamps, and propane powered hotplates for an undetermined time. Because we're in town we'll still have running water but no electricity, and no heat other than what can be provided by two cats and the hotplate.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: katlaughing
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 11:36 PM

Yuck! Snow I don't mind, but you can keep your fecking ice! I remember my whole car being encased in a huge ice cube our first October in Western Mass AND, when we lived in CT, whole sheets of ice fell off of the skyscapers in downtown Bridgeport causing a shutdown of the whole district. It was an awesome and scary sight and I do not miss it.

Amos, up here in the high altitude, that light does get hazardous; it's so bright people are blinded by the light.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Dec 08 - 11:56 PM

and no heat other than what can be provided by two cats and the hotplate.

Charley, how do your cook your cats?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 05:20 AM

In Moncton, New Brunswick, we are glazed over as well, on top of 5cm of snow and ice pellets, but the temperature is now 0C (6:15AM) and expected to get up to 15C today... with heavy rain, 90kph wind and thunderstorms. I hope I don't find any more shingle tabs in my yard.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 07:39 AM

Miracles of miracles! We still have electricity this morning. And I have a coon cat lap-warmer as well! It looks pretty awful out the window and most of the schools and government offices are shut down. I suppose I should go out and salt the steps and walks but there really isn't a whole lot I can do with half an inch of ice everywhere, and more sleet coming down. We're supposed to have four more hours and then the temperature will drop and freeze everything harder.

We have been getting flickering of lights so I'm gonna post this while I can.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 08:04 AM

My power went out at midnight and is still out. I kept waking up when a trees broke and fell. There's the main trunk of a maple on my shed and branches all over. The small birches are all bowed over.

I don't know when they might get the power on. The road looks passable (if I can chisel my car out) and there's no coffee here.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 08:07 AM

All Sympathy from Temperate England ! Thank ALL the Gods for The Gulf Stream ! Worst I have had so far is having to WIPE the frost off the car !!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 08:16 AM

Yeah, Terry, rejoice while you still have that Gulf Streampuppy. I inderstand it is about to go bankrupt, or succumb to bird flu, or something.



A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 08:54 AM

It was a bit frosty this morning in London... I managed a little slip'n'slide of my own going up the steep bit of the pavement to the station.. but it's slippery enough in the dry! Kept my balance and my dignity though... can't be sliding on my ass in front of all those Polish builders, who all stink of Vodka at 5.50am in the morning....

Take care, keep warm all and don't let the cats get used to soup. Soon they'll be wanting croutons and serviettes as well.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 10:00 AM

You start to realize how serious this is when it's NH and winter, 230,000 are without power and you're sitting in a cooling off house without enough gas to get to a gas station that has power, or to a hotel where they have heat and it's going to be an estimated 3-4 days at the SOONEST before you have power.

And there's no coffee.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: maeve
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 10:14 AM

We still have power for the moment. As Charlie said, the flickers warn of a local outage soon, but many in Maine as well as our coffee-deprived friends in NH will be without it for a few days at least. It's flickering a lot here, and we expect to wave goodbye to the electricity soon. I know Brunswick and Portland are among the many cities and towns that have been severely impacted.

We are grateful for wood, coal, and propane heat, grateful to have oil lamps and candles and battery-powered flashlights and radios. We can cook on the propane kitchen stoves, as well as the heat stoves. We have filled buckets and milk jugs with pure sweet well water, and every kettle and soup pot is full of water too. All the laundry is hung to dry, all the kitchen dishes have been washed except what I'm mixing goodies in.

Bread is rising, cornbread and biscuits and apple pie will go into the oven soon, and we have soups, meats, and veggies packed into the freezer and fridge. Jeri- I wish I could get some of this good coffee to you!

Last time we had a serious ice storm in Maine, this area was without power for a couple of weeks, but neighbors looked after one another. We'll do the same this time.

Keep safe and warm, friends.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 10:32 AM

Jeri:

You got firewood? Aikea stuff you can burn?


A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 10:54 AM

Jeez, Jeri, maybe some likely friend will bring you coffee and some gasoline for your car? I didn't realise this was one of those humdingers! Stay safe, all o'youse. Anyone know if Linn tried to go into work today?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 11:40 AM

Gosh. Just caught it on the news. Sounds pretty bad down there. Our ice is slowly melting. Temperature here in Moncton, New Brunswick is now 3C and there is little rain or wind, but they are still forecasting 15C, 90kph and possible thunderstorms, with temps falling to -6C tonight.

I just checked the New Brunswick and Maine radars and Moncton MAY get by without a direct hit. 60km to our NW, the radar looks wild, but it looks to be moving NW. Of course, if any of the transmission lines get hit, our power could go out as well.

We are blessed, at times, by the Gulf Stream as well. It pushes warm water up the Bay of Fundy and there is not much land between that bay and the Northumberlad Straight, where the water is even warmer well into the winter.

All youse guys down there take care eh! And keep letting us know how you are doing.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 12:28 PM

We're still hanging in here with power, 20 miles up the Kennebec River in Richmond, Maine. But my mother down on the coast is cut off with downed trees; her back-up propane generator kicked in and is doing its thing. Her phone lines are also down but she managed to get through to me on the cellphone, although it's kind of hit of miss service. One of her near neighbors actually walked up her driveway to make sure everything was alright and reported back to me.

I hate to think what will happen to all this slush in the parking lot and on the walks when the temperature drops this evening. The resulting glacier will probably probably last until May!

Jeri-

You're lucky you can still post to Mudcat. Do you also have a back-up generator?

Amos-

#@***!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: GUEST,The black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 12:46 PM

Not all of the UK is feeling quite so temperate. We've bought a farm house 1000 feet up in the pennines. We got within 300 yards of it last Saturday in the car through the snow (trying to deliver a car load of stuff) and had to walk the rest. Dug the car out and took it back down the hill. Since then it has not been warm enough to make a significant difference to the drifts. It is raining now so I might be able to drive up there tomorrow, but the forecast is for -3 Celcius on Saturday night so there will be plenty of ice still.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 12:57 PM

Charkey:

I understand your wrath against those who must battle hard but different elements than you do. Save up your anger, and let it all out when it comes time to defrost your driveway, or chain up your tires, or get the storm windows in place, or take stuff out of mothballs. That's what I do when I am faced with my elemental battles and have to overcome heavy obstacles like slathering on sunblock, laundering tee-shirts, or resoling my Birkenstocks.



A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 01:14 PM

Gosh again. Just looked up from working away at my desk and I can't see out the window. Fogged on the outside! The tempearture has risen 10C in an hour. The rain is pouring and the wind is coming up quickly. Still no where what NE has, but it seems ominous... probably due to the news from NE.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 01:49 PM

Got some great pics this morning. Ice is deadly but it's beautiful in the trees. Got one pic of a crow in the top of a maple against the sky. Feathers all askew from the wet, the branches coated with ice and small icicles.... good shot. And, got some pics of apples in Mum's tree coated with ice... and black capped chickedees and Blue Jays ... AND, a Robin!

It was a young Robin... bugs me terribly. Why is it still here? Injury? Brain injury? Got left behind? Anyway, it sucked back the pork fat I put out for it, until I came back in the house and the crows and Blue Jays put it away from the grub.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 03:53 PM

Robins don't migrate, but they go into the woods and other places where you don't see them.

I have some firewood. While it was good enough to heat water for coffee, it's not heating the house that much. I found out where a couple of operational gas stations are and will try tomorrow. Supposed to get to 17° tomorrow.

Charlie, it's alaptop with a battery which may have one more boot left in it. They say 3-4 days until power may be restored.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 04:02 PM

Robins up here migrate... well, the smart ones do.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 04:44 PM

Jeri-

It will probably be 3 or 4 days before power is restored at my mother's farm, but I've learned that there were no major trees down on her driveway and her thoughtful neighbor is planning to chainsaw some of the larger downfall into firewood for his stove. I'll check on her personally on Sunday but everything seems to be manageable.

So you clearly still have phone or cable service, or is your laptop transmitting to some satellite?

We have lots of big pine branches down around our house but no loss of electricity. I even managed to shovel off the slush from the walks and steps, and most of the parking lot before it freezes tonight.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 12 Dec 08 - 04:54 PM

It was icy in Essex this morning. We had to scrape the ice off the outside of the windscreen, then we had to scrape the ice off the inside of the windscreen! the clock and the speedometer had both frozen! Tomorrow we go out in my car and not the landrover!!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Becca72
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 07:08 AM

Stayed at my sister's Thursday night and most of the day on Friday. No work because my building was without power. Bummer. I drove home around 3:30pm yesterday and the roads were fine. The major problem was the fact that most of the traffic lights were out and no one knew what the hell to do. It was utter chaos at some of the major intersections. Bunch of idiots. Got home to find that I had power and cable and the cats were unaware of what was going on in the world (as usual). Got up really early to come to work this morning and didn't even have to scrape the windows on the car, which is good since I snapped my scraper on the 1" thick ice Thursday night.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 08:45 AM

I have a wireless modem, and I'm down to 20 minutes of battery life.

Slept warm with a mink blanket, down comforter and a hat. Didn't want to get out of bed. It only got down to about 44° but I didn't want to get out of bed. Today, I'm off in search of a gas station with power. If I'm successful, it's home again for chocolate ice cream soup for lunnch. If I'm not... well, I'd better put a sleeping bag in the car.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Midchuck
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 09:06 AM

Very lucky here in western Vermont, about halfway up. We got mostly snow, with a little ice on top, so no power losses to speak of. Fifty miles south OR east, it's a mess.

Of course, we were right at the center of the freak wind in April '07, and had several days of lost power and major road blockages from massive numbers of downed trees, and that was very local to us. So it all balances out.

Peter

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 10:50 AM

Just got cable back. Power went out 4:25 Friday morning and we froze all day Friday. Got power back about 7:30 Friday night. I didn't go to work on Friday but apparently most did.

The kitties hated being cold and complained bitterly until I crawled into bed with the bunch of them and we all warmed up.Wish I had had that generator fixed.

Sun came out on Friday afternoon and I cleaned off the car and the steps and put down lots of salt.

Freddie carefully picks his way across the perfecly dry porch and steps - guess he learned his lesson.

Jeri, there is a warm bed and heat here.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 10:55 AM

I'm watching the storm blowing in here. I decided not to drive home 150 miles yesterday and just stay in Billings over the weekend, as I'd have to drive back here to work on Monday probably in a blizzard.

The company got a little apartment for me to stay in for the few months I'll be working here, so the only reason I go home on the weekend is to check my mail, do laundry and water the plants. Better to stay off the highway in this kind of weather. Laundry will be done in the sink, my son can go put the mail inside.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 12:01 PM

Wow. I admire you all, honestly. I am reminded why I emigrated from the New England world.


A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: goatfell
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 03:24 PM

Ice the winter kind, how can you get Ice outside during the summer, execpt if you lived in the north/south pole.

is there any other kind

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 03:44 PM

our forecast:

"There is a potential for three to six inches of snow in the valleys and 12 inches or more over the mountains.
Strong north winds will produce dangerously cold wind chills and ground blizzards. Temperatures will fall to 20 below Sunday morning and 30 below by Monday morning."

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 03:49 PM

I know someone who was supposed to drive a kid from Seattle to Yakima today....I hope they stayed home.

We here in MD/DC area have it easy...so far...lots of rain last 3 days, but just cold & sunny today.

(Now I've probably jinked us)

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 04:04 PM

I'm going mildly stir crazy. Last I heard, it may be Mon or later. I'd leave, but I need to keep the fire going to keep the pipes from freezing. Need to find a place to recharge my laptop battery. Just about dead.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 04:21 PM

Here in the little apartment (a small old house converted to 4 studios behind a motel) I'm actually warmer than I'd be at home. My house has drafty old windows and doors that need to be replaced. I'm so glad I have my laptop with me! Roads are closing and people are warned to stay inside. Why do I live in this climate? Remind me?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 04:29 PM

Hint Amos - check out the Bert & I thread and get homesick.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 05:50 PM

Ayeh, SINS. The one thing above all else I miss about the East Coast is people who sound like Kendall Morse.


A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 06:04 PM

Someone who's been everywhere in Maine.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 06:16 PM

Just got off the phone with Jeri. She is just a bit stir crazy. Battery gone on her laptop. Power out, no lights, no TV, no Mudcat.
If you have her number, call her. Right about now, she wishes she had a dog or a six pack to offer her neighbor who is running his generator to power a big screen TV. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 06:27 PM

The rain and wind last night were as bad as I have ever seen but the thunderstorms didn't materialize. It was all over by 10PM. Woke to sunshine and -3C this morning.... an NO ice anywhere. We were darn lucky that the worst of it slid by us.

Hope all youse down south make out okay.

Anyone hear anything from Jeri since this morning?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: maeve
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 06:30 PM

We were fortunate. Our power was only out from 12 pm on Friday until 3 pm today (Saturday); 27 hours. Over 115 households and businesses are still in the dark, down from over 200,000. New Hampshire and Massachusetts are also seriously affected. We checked with several neighbors and were glad to learn that they were managing fine and staying warm enough. Tonight will be bitter cold.

We kept the bird feeders stocked with suet and seed. I shared a dipper of sunflower seeds with our bantams, who were content to stay inside their little house for the duration. Chickadees, hairy and downy woodpeckers, juncoes, goldfinches, and mourning doves are a few of the visitors to the feeder in the last couple of days.

Our local ravens graced us with a conversation and lazy circle over in today's stunning blue sky. I looked up when I heard their cro-oak calls to see them winging overhead, curving around toward the Sheepscot River, their section of blue bordered with a lacy tapestry of diamonds in the upper branches of the black locust trees by the road.

We kept warm, and could cook our food as usual on the coal and propane stoves. The oven wouldn't light, so our bread baked in dutch ovens or with the pans wrapped in heavy foil; all on top of wood and coal stoves. Worked fine, with a brief flip-over to brown the tops.

We had filled buckets and bottles with water for drinking, washing, and flushing before the power went out for the last time. Early this morning we carried "mud" buckets down to the brook at the back of our yard and filled them again (for flushing), then carried them back up the icy hill to the house. The oil lamps and shielded candles gave us light. The work crews worked around the clock, even calling us at one point to see whether they had managed to restore our power yet. They hadn't, but we thanked them for their efforts and assured them we were fine until things settled down.

I love the times when my husband and I can rely on the grace of God and each other. I am thankful to have had such an opportunity with this ice storm. I missed my friends here.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 07:41 PM

Awww, Maeve. Beautiful post. Woulda brought a tear to my eye if I wasn't such a crusty old curr... sniff.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 07:53 PM

This bit esp: ...their section of blue bordered with a lacy tapestry of diamonds in the upper branches of the black locust trees by the road. What beautiful imagery!

There is something special which can come about when you face such trials and know that you can and do manage through them. My Rog and I did, many times, out on our small ranch in WY about 15 miles from town. So many blizzards, loss of power, all water had to be hauled all of the time; the last year with no heat but a wood stove. It was an adventure and fortunately we could laugh then, a little bit, and a lot more now, when we look back and shake our heads.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 07:55 PM

Sins, I just tried Jeri...no answer. Maybe she went to the neighbours?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: ranger1
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 08:02 PM

On the phone with Jeri right now, from Sinsull's. We have no power, either. Party at Mary's house!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Joe_F
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 09:27 PM

For a vivid description of how ice attacks wires, see George R. Stewart, _Storm_, "Seventh Day", Sec. 2.

Ice belongs in bourbon, not underfoot.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 09:32 PM

Just got a call from a friend of mine who lives in the country and was pretty much out of food for himself and the cats. He tried to get down the road but the car could not get through the snow... stuck. He had his cell phone with him, called his nephew in the next farm and he came with the tractor. They had to drive across the field, as the road drifts were too deep.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 13 Dec 08 - 11:27 PM

Or in single malt....



A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:16 AM

Alice, stay put! Man, I remember those kinds of storms and do not miss them! I am glad you are holed up!{{{{HUGS}}}} to you all!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:17 AM

A friend just left her mother's home in Minnesota to drive back to Fargo, ND. She was slightly ahead of a big ice storm. There seems to be a lot of heavy weather out there.

Stay warm and safe, all of you!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:36 AM

That storm heading to the Dakotas from here is the blizzard with high winds and below zero temps. I hope she has already reached Fargo.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Cats
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 08:39 AM

I have just seen the footage of the ice storms on TV. I am so lucky to be here in a, relatively, warm Cornwall. Hope all is well with all of you. {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 11:18 AM

Doesn't take much to instigate at a party at SINSULL's. Three dogs four cats and an assortment of people sharing in the light warmth and hot water. They smelled better when they left than when they came in. The silver lining in the cloud.

Jeri, are you heading up for an overnight?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Phot
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:15 PM

Sounds like you guys on the other side of the pond are having a pretty shit time, but its not Aldershot! Here its just grey, wet, and dull. Fiona is being all the ill, wrapped in a mixture of blankie, and cats. At least the fire is lit!

Khatt, at least you have a Landrover, my old girl is now in the motor club, for the next two years! Yep, it's major rebuild time.

Wassail!! Chris

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: jacqui.c
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:23 PM

Up here in Newark it's got a little warmer and drier but yesterday, when we were watching He Who Walks On Water play football it was cold and went and my toes almost froze solid. However, we have heat and light and all that good stuff.

Much as I miss my darling husband I will, very selfishly, say that I'm glad I'm here right now.

Jeri - take good care of yourself. Never mind the pipes - make sure you get warm.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 12:31 PM

Yup. Some nasty footage on the TV. Stay safe down there.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 01:21 PM

Video from the weather channel about our part of the country:

"Crazy" cold
weather channel video report

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 03:17 PM

Get used to it folks. Thanks to global climate change it will only get worse. The fact is, this planet was not designed to suit us, and it is we who must adjust. The dinosaurs all died off because they could not adjust. Is that to be our fate?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 04:37 PM

We only lost power for about five mins (can tell from the time on the electric clock). But lots of power outages round here - - I went to visit a client on Saturday at noon to find they had been without power since Thursday -- and they have two small children! I told them off for not calling me on Friday and scooped them up and bought them back to our house where they remain - welcome and warm. Ny biggest challenge was no cable at home - therefore no Mudcat.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 04:59 PM

Phot....maybe you could get a landrover fix with our 1966 series 2 sometime, she's running good but I like my car with a heater in the cold weather!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: ranger1
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 06:19 PM

Just got the power back at home about an hour ago, but the apartment is still very cold. Neighbor Kathy and I decamped to SINSULL's for pizza with Sins and Jeri. Hopefully, the electricity will be back on at work tomorrow, but if it's not, not such a big deal, my only heat source there is a woodstove, so I've got heat.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 07:08 PM

A pizza party with a whole bunch of good lookin women trying to get warmed up? SON OF A PUP!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 08:33 PM

Sure, I'm within 5 miles but did I get invited? Hell no! sniff.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 09:58 PM

I wanted to invite you, Kendall but got voted down. The pizza did not arrive until 8:30 and they all figured you were in bed. Too bad really. Bandit and Joey got their shares of the goodies. And we polished off two bottles of champagne.

LOL
I love spontaneous parties.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 14 Dec 08 - 11:09 PM

It's a long road that has no turns.

In bed at 8:30? It's now 11:09 and I'm still up.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: jacqui.c
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 04:09 AM

What were you doing up at that time of night Kendall?

I don't know. I leave the country for just a little while and there's wild parties being held with TWO BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE!!!!! and my husband staying up till all hours of the night.

Wahhhhhh!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 06:41 AM

Yes, but not at the friggin' party! I'm sulking.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Midchuck
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 07:00 AM

There was a Friggin' Party and I missed it?

Curzes, filed agin!

P.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 07:04 AM

Bubbly too? Next you'll be telling me youse watched the Pat's game... be still my heart.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 10:57 AM

Next ice storm, I will be sure to invite you, Kendall.

Boy, ladies, we are in trouble. I bet he puts away the leather coat and black hat and shows up in polyester just to spite us.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 11:17 AM

High forecast here of -18 F today. That's the High.

I have not gone outside for 2 days. May stay in today, too, and just work by phone.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 11:47 AM

I'm glad to hear Jeri made it to warmth....and that Alice is hunkering down till it's safe. It looks like the power companies have a LOT of work to do this week. Y'all stay put and stay warm till they make progress... (as if you needed that admonishment!)

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 11:48 AM

That is, if I show up at all.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 12:06 PM

Careful Captain. Jacqui is a member of the coven. You could find yurself confined to the cellar.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 12:09 PM

IS there some reason y'all don't bury your utilities when the weather is warm instead of hanging them off of poles?


A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 12:25 PM

the expense

New utility lines often go underground, but the old ones are still overhead.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 12:40 PM

I wondered the same thing, Amos. In NYC ours were underground and we rarely had outages.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 01:44 PM

from an Edison Co. report:

"VII. Conclusion
Placing existing power lines underground is expensive. Undergrounding an entire state's existing overhead
power lines could cost as much as $94 billion and take decades to complete. The average cost of
undergrounding existing overhead power lines is approximately $1 million per mile. This is almost 10 times
the cost of a new overhead power line.
While communities and individuals continue to push for undergrounding—particularly after extended power
outages caused by major storms—the reliability benefits that would result are uncertain, and there appears to
be little economic justification or customer support for paying the required premiums.
Indeed, in its study of the undergrounding issue, the Maryland Public Service Commission concluded, "If a
10-percent return is imputed to the great amounts of capital freed up by building overhead instead of
underground line, the earnings alone will pay for substantial ongoing overhead maintenance," implying that utilities could have more resources available to them to perform maintenance and improve reliability on
overhead lines if they invested less in new underground facilities.37
For the foreseeable future, however, it appears that the undergrounding of existing overhead power lines will
continue, justified primarily by aesthetic considerations—not reliability or economic benefits. Many
consumers simply want their power lines placed underground, regardless of the costs. The challenge for
decision makers is determining who will pay for these projects and who will benefit from them."

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 01:56 PM

You think ice is a problem with overhead, try to keep water out of shallow (<6 feet in Maine, due to frost) ductwork. The main problem with ice and overhead is damage from trees.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 15 Dec 08 - 04:19 PM

Underground utilities AFAIK do not suffer unduly from moisture in the conduits. WIthint their conduits, cables are typically separately insulated with tough outer covers. And the problem of weight is removed. The cheaper cost of overheads brings costs uncounted in human misery through power outages, for example. The cause of these collapses is the extremes of movement from wind and weight from ice buildup.

The problem of frost is essentially a depth and materials problem. The range of motion caused by frost heaves of terrain is relatively low; they do tend to break up concrete ducts which have very little flex in them. Rethinking the parameters of the conduits might lead to a more flexible AND more durable solution.


A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 01:02 AM

Who knew--we have ice here in North Texas. It's a winter storm warning overnight. A two dog night (they'll sleep on the rug in my room).

I slithered across a bridge near the house this evening early an decided to leave my trip till after most of the folks on the road got home. The later trip was uneventful. I may know how to stay out of the ditch but that doesn't mean one of those Texas yahoos on the road won't hit me.

I doubt we'll get a snow day tomorrow, but we always enjoy them when they happen.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 07:44 AM

I was not being terribly social the other night. I was exhausted. I just wanted warmth and electricity and maybe to hear people talking without having to talk myself.

It's been relatively warm. I went home for a bit yesterday and opened all the windows. It was up to 52° when I left (and closed all the windows). Last I heard was my area will likely have power by Wed afternoon. Bat Goddess & curmudgeon are (I believe) on the same power line branch have a woodstove, so they're toasty. There are lots of food businesses open and gas stations.

I'm fairly sure that after the end of civilization as we know it, there will still be cell phones and pizza delivery guys coming to our caves.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 08:12 AM

and champagne Jeri? Without champagne and coffe there will be no reason to live.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 08:30 AM

I have one chunk of wood left, and I'm saving it for an emergency. (Boiling water for coffee.)

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 10:38 AM

Currently -15 F here.
It might get up to zero today.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 10:39 AM

Wind chill is -50 F., sky is clear.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: ranger1
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 10:41 AM

Jeri, I think we were all feeling the same way. Plus, I think maybe we were mesmerized by those moving pictures in color in that box on Mary's desk...

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 11:12 AM

Amos, I am not so sure about frost heaves not causing problems for underground back East. Some of the ones I saw were quite impressive. Ditto the trees and ice...there are so many trees back there, it's difficult to NOT have lines where they are vulnerable to falling trees. FWIW

Pizza and cell phone, huh? Oh, joy!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 12:00 PM

Checking in from southwestern New Hampshire, in a small village that still has no power, so I'm at the local big town (Keene) at the best independent coffeeshop. The power co is making no promises for the return of power- it could be Christmas by candlelight! But I have a wood stove, which heats the whole house, and the water comes in a trickle from a gravity-fed spring, so really I have nothing to complain about. Concerts and rehearsals are being cancelled here and there, but it's cozy and warm inside. Snow is predicted for the next several days, so I might as well get used to it.

BUT - what I HAD been getting used to was more time for Mudcat, and I'm seriously computer deprived! And now I have to go run some errands before going to Massachusetts to get my daughter from college (She Who Is Fit To Be Tied at the prospect of returning to the 19th century for Christmas! But she's getting resigned... I think... I hope!).

Allison

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 12:45 PM

Well, Amos, I'll just say one more thing about u/g vs o/h. They ain't doin it round these here parts 'cept at airports and seaports.

gnu, M.Sc.Eng, P.Eng.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 01:08 PM

Well, that is nice to know, I guess, but it doesn't speak to the issue. I think the short-term costs savings of O/H lines are more than lost over longer periods especially if you add in the costs to the public of disruptions. PErhaps you know enough about options in the materials science division to conceive of a solution that woukld be robust even against frost heaving. Rights of ways which townships already hold for roadways could be invoked for the simplest access solution, and underground point-to-point boring is an established art at present.


A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 01:45 PM

Well, Amos... essentially, if we were starting from scratch, a cost-benefit analysis may point in your direction.

As for me being able to "design" it, no problem. I've done it. One need only recall the old engineering saying, "Given enough time and money, we can build anything."

Now, Amos, let's talk about that bridge from California to China. Surely is would be more cost efficient in the long run than transporting goods and people by such old technology as seaships?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 01:56 PM

How long a run are you thinking there, Gnu? A few k-years? :D


A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 01:59 PM

When you are born and raised in Maine, the first thing you learn is how to survive. A couple of days of no computer, TV or electric lights is just a trip down memory lane.You have grown soft! A little deprivation is good for you; it builds character.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: ranger1
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 03:41 PM

Kendall, I have no issues with being without electric lights, computer, TV, video games, etc. What I have issue with is no heat source or cooking facilities. That's the problem with living in the stupid city. When I lived in the boondocks, I was always well prepared.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 03:49 PM

We live right on the pink line, so it's been years now since we worried about the ice. It will come, or it will be rain, or it will be snow. We're PermaReady.

For pone thinmg, about the first of September I stop throwioiung out milk jugs, and I wash them and fill them with water. Sytoowed one gallon at a time in a place where it stays cold without freezinbgfm, we always have plenty of emeregency water on hand for when the power gfoes ouit.

A binful of cinders sits by the back step.

There is always food in the freezer, much of it already cooked. There is a gas heater that heats the summer BR in the winter, w/o electricity.

There is a portable gas grill for anything too frozen to eat, in addition to the big summer grill. There is a fireplace in the DR where a portable grill can be set, safely, out of the cold wind.

Hardi has a spare room at the church if he needs to sleep in town while I tend the house, dogs, and freezing pipes.

Beyond stuff like that, we just deal with it. If all else fails, we'll just hitch up the clothing-stocked camper and LEAVE! We live on the road the ambulance always takes, so it's always salted-- and it goes as far as the salted highway OUT of here.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 03:56 PM

Ranger 1 who is forcing you to live in the city?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 03:59 PM

I stop prufereeding on Dec. 15.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 04:05 PM

Hmmmmm...cabin fever is setting in and the Mainers are getting testy. Kendall - CELLAR! Tami! Go climb a tree. Both of you, make nice.

As to WYSIWYG...WELL ain't you special!

All we are saying is give peace a chance...C'mon Amos, join in. All we are saying is give peace a chance...

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 04:47 PM

Well, Amos, if you can get the funding, we can start right away and we'll be that much closer to completion. Even before you get funding for underground utilities in New England.

Kendall... I live in the city, but I have my own house, so I can marshall the resources to be self-sufficient. Not everyone has that situation, for whatever reason or choice.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Dec 08 - 05:30 PM

As to WYSIWYG...WELL ain't you special!

No but it's only ice, for goodness sakes! :~)

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: GUEST,Barry at the library
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 03:26 PM

Hello from Derry
We still are down on our knees. No nothing here. Phone, power, cable. Cell works but I have to drive an hour to charge it. Good excues to go to the Gloucester session last night & will probably go to an irish session in Wakefield, Mass. tonight. The National guard gave me a couple cases of water, I'll be pissing proper for the next month. Lin & Tom you weren't at the session Friday, are you OK?
We had a wood chipper come down our road to clear some of the debris in the street but when they came to the downed power lines & trees they headed for the tropics. Haven't seen any work being down in my neck of the woods to clear the streets, no power company to be heard from, no nobody & some are saying that it's still a guess as to when we'll be "turned on". I've been sleeping downstairs next to the propane stove, that keeps the living room & dining room warm enough, tha kitchen is cold but not freezing. Had to barb the thawing shrimp, tonight I'll get to bb'ing the thawed meat after I go to the gym for a swim & a shave. I'll be back but I don't know when. Good luck to you others that are frost frozen.

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 04:05 PM

I live in the boondocks, and I think I need a big honking generator.

My phone came on yesterday and my power came on last night while I was at Mary's. I got home today and the power went out again for a while, probably because they were fixing something. Apparently, (I called the power company) they first just got power restored if they could and are now working on getting things fixed right. Bat Goddess & curmudgeon MAY get power today, but the person I spoke with said they're planning to get that town up tomorrow.

Big thanks to Mary, who let me commute and stay in her house and enjoy the company of friends and critters.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 04:51 PM

Big and honkin? Nope. You need a small generator and a power pak... or two. Check out the Honda generators in the 1kw to 2kw range, and the power paks in the 800 range. Great combination. And some 13w light bulbs. These will keep your small stuff running for weeks with a minimum of gasoline.

As for heating or AC for medium size houses, PM me if you want specs for gennies and emergency panels and hookups to a big honkin gennie (6.5kw or better).

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 05:09 PM

Just catching the news here.... 50 auto accidents in St. John, NB so far today.... and this is NOT a real snowstorm!!!!

I was out and aboutsts when it got underway here in Moncton around noon (6PM now). People driving like it was July! And, we have had a few winter storms already. What is wrong with these idiots?

Should the privelege of having a driver's license require a minimum IQ? Apparently, these idiots have passed the test... in the summer.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Jeri
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 05:47 PM

Seriously, I have oil heat, so I just need something to power the switches/ignition, the refrigerator and the well pump. Maybe the microwave, but if I have fire, I can heath or cook things. I almost put some chicken in some aluminum foil and threw it in the coals, but I bought a chicken sub at Subway instead.

Not so seriously, I don't know if a small generator would run my computer and TV. (The guy across the street had his big flat screen TV in his guy hangout fired up with his gennie.)

Gnu, it's not a lack in IQ, it's the common sense that's missing plus a belief that one is immortal.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 06:02 PM

No, J.... you need to have enough to run the fire AND the blower... at LEAST a 3kw. Now, if ya wanna go for the rest, I would say a 6.5kw. The real problem is when a few motors run up. A 6500W gennie (Honda makes the best one for this... unless someone knows of a better one) is perfect for a small house.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 06:31 PM

Ayuh, builds character...but I thought I was enough of a character already!

Power came back on at 4:15 -- yeehah!

Six days (and nights, fer-pete's-sake) without electricity, phone, running water, Mudcat!, etcet.

We actually fared better than most people without power -- we normally heat with wood, so not having the furnace available wasn't a hardship and we were comfortably warm and Tom could cook up an incredible venison stew on Sunday utilizing the venison steaks and some nice sausage that otherwise would have been lost in the warming freezer. I used the last of the water (that I'd been carefully husbanding) in the holding tank to wash my hair on Sunday, so have been completely dependent on storebought gallons of water since. Since we have a composting toilet, we didn't have to worry about water for flushing.

Coffee was a problem for Tom, of course, and the only real crisis was when he discovered Saturday morning that in the low light of the generator-provided electricity at Market Basket on Friday, he'd inadvertently picked up DE-CAF coffee bags instead of the real thing.

We had a TracFone since the end of September, so had emergency phone contact, too, so the situation was never dire and just annoying.

Couldn't get to work on Friday thanks to downed branches and wires in the driveway, and when Tom got out later (turned out to be Comcast line disconnected from the pole in the driveway), no gas station for miles around had power so couldn't fill my car's tank. Went to Pizza Spinners early in the evening -- they were running on generator. It was like the bar scene in "Star Wars" while waiting for our pizza in the heatless but heavily populated shop.

Lee Circle got power restored by 11:30 Friday night, so I got real coffee bags for Tom on m way to work, then fed gas to the car on the other side of the circle and finally made it full circle to McDonald's for breakfast on my way to work. Fox Run Mall (I work at Sears Optical) never lost power, but Optical's direct line is the first to come up when anyone calls Directory Assistance, so spent the day telling people calling to find out if Sears had generators that they'd have to call the Sears number.

My boss never lost power, either, but most of New Hampshire did and most of those within many miles of Fox Run were at Sears looking for generators. (They sure as heck weren't looking to buy eyeglasses!)

Another good thing that came out of it is we discovered that a nearby seafood restaurant has GREAT (and reasonably priced) breakfasts.

But it's really nice to be almost back to "normal" -- it's fatiguing to read by flashlight and get ready for work with jug water and low light, etc.

Later!
Linn

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 06:37 PM

Great to here you and Tom made out okay!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 06:54 PM

this is a different world to mine - yesterday I had ice in my glass of water at an outdoor Christmas lunch. Pleasant warm (not yet hot & humid) day in early summer Sydney. My winter in inner-city Sydney entails the occasional use of a small heater, an 80% down quilt at night, with medium fleece waistcoat & jacket in the day. I only discovered thermal underwear 2 years ago, & normally only wear them when I leave Sydney for cooler climates where it's close to freezing overnight!

As my brother said when he was in UK 25 years ago, with 2" snow on the top of his car when he woke, "sandra, you wouldn't like it here."

best wishes to all for resumption of normal services

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 07:47 PM

So good to hear from you, Linn and Tom!! Wasn't it you who taught me this would be just another AFGO?**BG** Seriously, really glad you are both safe and okay. You, too, Jeri!

gnu, you are a handy fellow and a very kind friend. As to idjit drivers, we have them here, too. Though we don't get that much ice or snow, a lot of folks are retirees from California, southern climes, so they either completely freak out and drive 5mph causing problems, or they think nothing of it, hit a skid and topple themselves and some other unlucky soul over...and we all hope not fatally! The others are kids who should know better. Most of them don't know the word "Caution!"

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: CamiSu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 01:38 AM

All you lucky people who could post during the storm....

My 2 exchange students (who had never seen much, if any, snow) brought a 3rd home Thursday evening as a snow day was expected. We got it as well as a loss of power. My wireless modem requires power to work and there was none of that. My stone house has very good insulation we put in when we bought it and again after the fire...

With a wood stove in the kitchen, gas stove I can start with a match, and good humor we managed 36 or so hours of no power. Temp in the house proper got down to 57 last I looked, and Saturday was warm and sunny. They were saying 4 days, then 2 days and then here came the trucks! I told them my pole had wires dangling. They fixed the guy wires but neglected to see that the neutral was hanging loose and powered up the neighborhood.

The smell was immediate. I was looking for fire in the walls and Sinan (my Turkish kid) was trying to find the source of the smell upstairs (it was pretty much all over) and we found the attic full of smoke. While I was looking in the kneewall space the TV began to smoke. I turned on the bathroom light and it was WAY too bright, which clued me in to what was happening. By the time I was all powered down (forgot about the 200amp main just below the meter) I had lost the TV, the laser printer, the micro-convection oven, 2 refrigerators, a computer (there isn't a surge protector in the world that can handle a steady 200 volts for 5 minutes), said surge protector, the portable phone set, the modem, and more. Almost lost Fabio when he touched a switch and it bit him. Very scary. And the power company says it won't pay my deductible. I say it will.

The trees were fabulous, and the boys had a wonderful time. Actually it was all great (playing hearts by candlelight 'til 1:30 am!) until the power came back on. And I was driving through my little town on my way home Saturday night (not expecting to get my service back til Monday) and saw every truck in eastern Vermont at a restaurant (in a town of 1100). I asked them if I could get my neutral fixed and a crew came down when they were done with dinner. Had my power back at 11:15 Saturday! I did feel very blessed there as I had work to do for the Sunday service and needed my computer to make it easier. But I now must replace appliances and so on. But my new modem got here yesterday so I am back!

Whew!

Hope everyone else is doing better. Vermont was down to fewer than 2000 people without electricity this morning. And now real snow. Yes!

CamiSu

Why won't this post?!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: CamiSu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 01:45 AM

Finally got the post to take....

But the sad part, now, my old cat was failing and I think the lower temp was too much for him, and he died this morning. I'll think of him every birthday from now on...

Gotta go hug the one that's left, and go to bed.

CamiSu

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 05:43 AM

Oh my, CamiSu... thoughts and prayers.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 08:55 AM

I am sorry, CamiSu. It is hard to lose a good friend.

But I am glad you came throught he power surge safely. Holy Crap!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:16 AM

One thing puzzles me. When the entire outdoor world is an icebox, why don't you move the stuff that is thawing from your deadened freezers into a snowbank until power is restored?

A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:18 AM

Coyotes.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:25 AM

Neighbors.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:26 AM

Lions and Tigers and Bears.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:27 AM

Because the temperature outside fluctuated between 12 and 40 degrees and there are no snowbanks. Just a thin sheet of ice.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:29 AM

Dogs and cats

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:54 AM

Coyotes, cats, dogs, birds, skunks, raccoons, bears, squirrels, and the fact that except for Saturday night, it wasn't all that cold outside and I'd have to keep moving food so it was out of the.

Oddly enough, stuff in my freezer which I did NOT open, didn't thaw completely in the nearly 5 days my power was out. I still had ice cube shaped ice cubes in the ice bin. I suppose the cold temps in the house helped with that.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: maeve
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 09:54 AM

My husband and I do use snowbanks when we need to. Since this was the first real storm of the season around here, there wasn't enough snow to make snowbanks and the freezing rain followed by the widely fluctuating outside temperatures made it challenging. I did put the newly baked bread outside in a cooler under the roof overhang to avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.

We also regularly use the cold spot by the back door, the unheated front hall, the cool bathtub, the farm truck (with cap), and the root cellar as is appropriate. Mostly though, we unplug all appliances to avoid a surge and keep the fridge and freezer closed as much as possible while the power is out. We didn't lose any food, and I am thankful for that.

While it is both wise and responsible to prepare for extreme weather situations and power outages, there are different challenges depending upon each person's housing, local weather conditions, physical health, and finances. That's why it is important for each household and community to prepare as well as possible for household needs and for sharing. That's why we check up on families, friends, and neighbors: we look after each other.

I'm very glad to know that Linn and Tom, CamiSu, Jeri, ranger 1, Sinsull, Kendall, gnu, and the rest have been able to cope in their own ways. I'm glad we Mudcatters can help and encourage each other, and that we have done so as we are able.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 02:13 PM

Amos might be next!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 02:24 PM

Maeve.... we really sidestepped the storm here. We did have a whack of ice and then wind, but the wind we got was so warm that the ice was gone in jig time. Along with a half dozen shingle tabs. However, those tabs were all along the edge of the southern eave (3 foot eaves), so I should be okay as long as the rest of the winter stays cold... or we don't get high south winds when it's warm.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 02:38 PM

The temps got up over zero here yesterday and today, but the next wave of below zero weather will arrive probably tomorrow and go deep into the minus numbers for the weekend.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 03:03 PM

The Las Vegas Valley lies in a relatively high-altitude portion of the Mojave Desert--the city is at around 2,000 feet, where the recent rains have turned to snow as low as 1300 feet in these parts. We did have snow in great measure up in the eastern pass that leads to Yuma. My own altitude is probably 10 feet. So I won't worry yet. The rains have passed, for now, and the day temp is in the 60's, which we find a bit cool.

A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 03:34 PM

{{{{{{Cami-Su}}}}} Sorry about your kitty; it's so sad when we lose them.

Really glad you knew what to do in the surge, but wow, wish they'd noticed so you wouldn't have lost all of your appliances! I'd say they pay the deductible, too!

Has anyone heard any more from Barry? Wondering if he finally got power back up? Barry, ya there?

Amos, you call 2,000 feet high??!! Heck, we're more than double that here in the l-o-w point of Colorado.**bg** And, even here it sometimes surprises me. It's the Banana Belt of CO, but we've had snow off and on for a few days now and it's actually sticking around, plus they say it is supposed to get as cold as zero Fahrenheit on Sat. night, which is unheard of here!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 04:04 PM

Ah, so. THis is the time of year to celebrate for all those poor mortals who turn to Southern California for hope and redemption.


A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 05:04 PM

10'? So, Global warming is gonna make the size of your new water pool a lot bigger?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: CamiSu
Date: 18 Dec 08 - 05:23 PM

Amos--

I use snowbanks all the time, as well as my porch, the woodshed, even the utility room can be a walk-in fridge. Works great for eggs except in the summer. Squirrels, mice. rats can all raid if you don't take care. I have several gallons of cider frozen on the porch right now. When the freezer on the fridge decided to work in reverse I loaded all its contents into a laundry basket and stuck it in the woodshed. The outside temp promptly went to 57. So much for THAT!

But the real reason we live here? The neighbors! (and everyone else for that matter) They're there when you need 'em and we enjoy doing for each other. And the past year I've needed that.

CamiSu

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 07:01 AM

Stand by New England, we have another major storm bearing down on us.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 08:25 AM

Sheesh!

Just when I REALLY need a Press Room fix, it looks like the elements are conspiring to make me turn home (and hope to get into the driveway) after work rather than towards Daniel Street.

At least it should be clear for tomorrow's shanty/seasonal sing.

But...(there's always a "but", isn't there?) they're predicting a Nor'easter on Sunday. (When there's a music/holiday party scheduled.)

Sigh.

Just hope we don't lose power again.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 09:36 AM

Advice from an electrician:
When the power goes out, turn off each circuit braker then the main switch. When it comes on again. Open the main switch and each circuit breaker in turn watching for overloads. It can save an appliance or two and possibly your life.
The power company here insists they are not responsible for damages - several people at work had similar experiences to CamiSu.
Power outages expected tonight according to the news at least in Southern Maine and NH. Massachusettes has already declared a state of emergency. Last year around this time they hesitated and school children spent eight hours trapped in school busses.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 09:52 AM

Give 'em hell, Yankees!! Non nocens tempestas carborundum.

A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: LilyFestre
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 10:40 AM

Yesterday the predictions for the large storm headed to the northeastern section of the US were all over the radios and news. For our specific area they said the storm would start around midnight. I was up at 1:30am. Nothing. I went back to bed and decided I would have to teach this morning and we would have an early dismissal. THe phone rang at 5:45am. It was the person ahead of me on the snow chain and she said, "Enjoy your 3 day weekend." I giggled, said thanks and called the next person on the list. I went downstairs and looked outside. Still, NOTHING. Hm. It's now a few hours later and I can't see much beyond our barn for the fine, yet heavy downfall of snow. It is quite beautiful.

    Like many who live in our region, as long as we can stay home, we're good. We have plenty of food, heat (wood stove as backup)and plenty of candles and flashlights should the power go out. The only thing that would be a pain is the water. We have plenty of it stored, so it's really only a pain and not a problem. DH is on the move this morning stacking extra firewood and making sure the critters have enough food and straw to stay warm. Personally, I'm about to hop in the shower and start some laundry so if the power does go, we have all clean clothes and I'm all clean! Ok, and yes, a new pot of coffee too! :) Also, the french press is ready to go, should we need it!

    I hope that any of you who are being hit by this storm are fortunate enough to be able to stay home, snuggle in with a loved one or a good book and enjoy the day (or maybe days!).

Stay warm and safe.

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: maeve
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 11:13 AM

Amos: Gratias ago vos pro vestri consolatio.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 11:13 AM

The storms are stacked up across the country, one winter front following another. The new one with more below zero temps and more snow is moving in here today.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 02:21 PM

"... consolatio." I am soooo tempted.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Amos
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 02:28 PM

A fell impulse on your part, good Gnus. :D


A

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 05:00 PM

The weather is nasty.

It took me an hour to drive what normally takes me 30 minutes home. While it was only slow and tedious at first, once I got through Lee Traffic Circle, my wipers started to freeze up. By the time I turned onto Freeman Hall Road, I could barely see. Stopped and de-iced in the Baptist's car park and thus made it safely home.

Realized as I was walking down the driveway (that's DOWNhill) that white on white while walking down hill makes me dizzy.

Needed a hot buttered rum to de-dizzify myself.

Really glad I came home instead of going to the Press Room session, but missing the Press Room session seriously sucks since we had to miss last week.

The good news is, tomorrow should be fine weather for the sea music/seasonal/ballad monthly session. Which will make us feel better (a little bit, maybe) if we have to miss Sunday's music party because of the expected Nor'easter.

Geez, it isn't even Christmas and I'm sick of winter.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 06:01 PM

Knock on wood, Linn...no broken limbs this year!:-)

Stay safe and warm, folks!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 06:16 PM

Oh my.... you spake the unspakable... LINN! Stay IN!!!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Dec 08 - 10:20 PM

Wot?! I coulda meant tree limbs! (Not, I know, I know! Guess I'll join Kendall in the cellar.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 10:18 AM

Where's my post? I posted this several hours ago. It WAS here. I read it. Skidded off the road and into the ditch?

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 20 Dec 08 - 10:19 AM

Oops... I posted IT several hours ago...

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 02:17 PM

The local electric company is congratulating themselves on a good job almost well done. ALMOST- I'm part of the exclusive club still without power in New Hampshire!

It's a 19th century Christmas season. The Solstice has never held such meaning for me before!

Send me some electrons, please, Catters!

Allison-at-the-cafe

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 02:49 PM

You have a wood stove, right? Geez - no heat, lights, TV, wait a minute - you're on a computer. Hmmmmm...DOH at the cafe.

Sorry Allison.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 03:17 PM

I have a Crappy Tire (Canadian Tire) Eliminator 800

That sucker will keep you in touch with the world. Or power a 13W light for a long while. And, you can charge one to full capacity from your vehicle in several hours. Or from a generator for SFA loss while the gennie is running other things.

I highly recommend them. Unfortunate that the price of them has gone up in the past while. But, since I make my living by being on the world wide communication networks, I gotta have em.

Right now, I gotta split some more kindlin for the stove. Keeps me warm.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 03:34 PM

I've been trying to reach some of the neighbors on my street to see if we can pitch in together to pay for an ATV plow to do snow removal on the sidewalks this winter. Our town tickets your house and fines you a heavy fine for not shoveling within 24 hours of the end of a snowfall. I'm not there enough to do it myself, and Ryan lives too far to get there every day. Someone on the block hired a person to run a little plow up and down the sidewalk (a 2 block neighborhood) and I'm trying to find that guy to see if we can pay for it as a group this winter.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 06:49 PM

Hallelulia! Hallelulia!
Everything is Illuminated!
Oh, glory how happy I am!
How can I keep from singing?

Yes, to wood stove, but hooray for lights on the tree, music on the stereo, hot water for washing dishes, and my folks coming HERE for Christmas dinner (but better yet- since they assumed they'd be cooking it, they're cooking it and bringing it here!).


Am I giddy yet?

Wheeeeeeeeee!!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: maeve
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 06:52 PM

Hip hip huzzah, Allison!

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 23 Dec 08 - 07:25 PM

It was a dark and stormy night...

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 09:08 AM

So far, October, November and December.

Case in point... forecast is -20C tonight, -10 tomorrow, +10C with rain on Sunday. Then, winter will start again.

Oh, yeah.... Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Haven't mentioned that lately.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 09:32 AM

Tami, the Good, shovelled out my back porch and walkway only to discover the hated ice dam. Thanks to gnu's advice I was at the ready with salt and pantihose. Nature helped with rain and 40 degree temperatures. Strange - this happened on a section of the roof that has never dammed before.

And once again I have what appear to be human limbs stuck up on the roof.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 10:00 AM

Wha??? My last post was in response to a GUEST post which has been removed. ??? It asked when winter starts... it was from UK, I believe, as it said that winter starts in UK about mid-Jan.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 11:23 AM

Pantihose? I missed the pantihose advice... how does that work??

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 11:33 AM

let it snow... Let It Snow... LET IT SNOW!

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: kendall
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 11:45 AM

Alice, you take an old pair of panty hose and stuff them with rock salt, throw them up onto the roof where ice dams happen and they will melt the ice. I use old socks because I don't wear panty hose.

"Rudolph the red nose reindeer has a very shiny nose he has a drinking problem, now he's wearing panty hose..."
(Eric Bogle)

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: Alice
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 11:51 AM

gotcha
clever idea

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 12:24 PM

But... don't use plain old salt. Use the stuff that doesn't harm asphalt (many packages say "concrete"... that is perfect). Many are just called de-icer.

Place the socks/pantyhose or even just the "salt" every four to five feet. The objective is to make a drain through, or even under, the ice so water can drain.

If you are using only de-icer, it's nice if you can make an "indentation" in the ice at the upper edge of the ice so the de-icer can lay in the indentation. Just try not to damge the roofing.

There's lots of good info at CMHC.ca

Oh... of course, if all you have is regular salt, it's better than thousands of dollars of repairs.

Subject: RE: BS: ICE - the winter kind
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 08 - 12:30 PM

BTW.... many roofers will actually try to get away with not installing "eave protection". I swear it's the truth. I have seen it many times, even on NEW houses! Make sure your roofer installs it and does it right.

Of course, eave protection is really just a backup. Proper insulation and ventilation is the key. Again, CMHC has lots of good info on how to do things right... and wrong.