BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 10:28 AM

We still have feet of snow everywhere, it's just grand, and that 5-mile walk didn't hurt me none.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 09:28 AM

Yeah, he'll be okay once the warm (ha) rain hits the 1/4 or so of ice... I'm sure he's smart enough not to try to drive on pure ice... Look for him to be on the road around noon tomorrow... Tell the boy to drive extra carefull, though, 'casue in some spots it's still gonna be ice under the rain...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 09:15 AM

I don't think he can do that, Bobert. I think he's supposed to have Christmas morning with the other half of his family. It sounds like the freezing part is only supposed to be in the early morning, though, so maybe if he leaves a bit later in the day, he'll miss the bad part.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 08:46 AM

Tell yer son to leave today, Carol and he'll be fine... Kinda reminds me of the folks that the TV news crews interviewed last week drung the height of the storm... I mean, people thinkin' they were going to make it to Ohio from Richmond??? They had three days notice that that wasn't going to happen but, no... Lot's of people just thought that they could do it... Wrongo, Mary Lou... I mean, if we ever do get to the point where we need to "thin out" the human herd then this might be a good way to do it... Just don't out and save the folks who think they can make it to Ohio in the middle of the largest blizzard in the last 1000 years...

I'm kiddin', of course but tell yer sont to at least get on the road mid-day today, will ya, or tell him to stay home... Nevermind, he'll figure that out tomorrow when he can't even walk to his car...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Allan C.
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 05:33 AM

Maybe if he had a Subaru Forester he could keep up with those log jams, Carol.

I'm working today and Christmas. I usually do so that some of the other guys in my crew who have young families can be at home. Anyway, what with the forecast for early morning freezing rain, I may start my workday tonight, just about the same time as Santa is doing his rounds. That way I hope to miss the brunt of the ice storm. What fun!

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 12:55 AM

Excuse me... long drive.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: CarolC
Date: 24 Dec 09 - 12:54 AM

Damn. My son's going to be driving from the DC area to here in southeastern North Carolina on Christmas day. Seems like it keeps hitting every time he has a log drive. I hope the Midwest is calm by the time he has to head back to Colorado.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Donuel
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 09:02 PM

RaP'S FRED NAILED IT.

We only got 19 inches and the schools have been closed for 3 days.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 08:15 PM

Sleet no, I don't...

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Severn
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 07:45 PM

Now they're talking about sleet and freezing rain on Christmas. Anybody have a sleet blower?

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 06:02 PM

That ain't mine, Sawz... Mine is a mid 90s 3650 model with rear PTO... I gotta 6 foot blade on the back thast ya have to get off the tractor to change the angle on... I wish that I had a V-plow for the front but if I did then I wouldn't have the front bucket which I also need if the snow is too deep for plowing and has to be dug out... Actually, up to about 12 inches is real easy with just the rear plow... More than that??? Not so good...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Sawzaw
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 09:53 AM

They make nifty snow blowers you can mount on the front of a Kubota but it needs to be one with the forward facing PTO.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 05:40 PM

Well, Rap... If ya' see Amos floatin' by I'd suggest hidin' behind a bush 'cause you bring him ashore and next thing ya' know he be fishin' this little waterproof pouch outta his pocket and it'll be loaded with good California (well, what used to be California) ganja weed and then you be sittin' on yer porch all stoned up and all watchin' the waves and then the Mrs. gonna come out and put Amos back on the raft and send him back ou to sea... Of course Amos won't know nuthin' 'casue the boy will be too stoned to know sea from dry land but then he'll fall asleep on the raft, have dreams if finding a Martin geetar floatin' by, wake up all feeling purdy crappy fir not findin' no geetar and gettin' booted out... So...

...just wave when he goes by...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Allan C.
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 05:18 PM

Fortunately it was not my weekend to work. The guy on my crew who did work had a pretty rough go of it on Saturday as he had to drive from near Hagerstown to southernmost Montgomery County in Maryland, (just a few hundred feet from the Potomac). In many places his was the first vehicle to make its way through, or at least that's how it seemed to him. It was still snowing on Sunday morning when he had to make the same trip. Things were almost as bad as they had been the day before.

I had to make that same trip on Monday. Most of the roads were passable, but had many areas of packed snow where 4WD was a useful option. Other than that the only problem I encountered was the place where I had to walk approximately 3,000 yards through the drifted snow in order to check on a piece of equipment. It took close to a half an hour just to wade that far. I told Carmen later that if I had to do that every day for a month, I would either be dead or else have the waistline of a 15-year-old girl!

Here at home the snow looked absolutely stunning! The grand-kids played until they dropped, making an igloo of sorts by draping a tarp over the picnic table while the snow was still falling.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Severn
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 09:18 AM

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Terry's alive and well!


EEEEEE-AYE-EEEEE-AYE-OH!


I'd heard rumors that he's finally "bought the farm", but it appears he's alive and well! I can't be really sure, because he'd probably rise from the grave for a 100th post. But we've had enough good folks in the "Obit the dust whatchama-column" of late.. If I see him post on a non-100 then I'l be sure he's still kickin'....

Terry would look at home with his hats and his beard and his boatload of instruments, but the moment he tried to speak the local language, the accent would be a dead giveaway. He'll have to practice saying things like "How 'bout them 'Eers!" and such. He'd make himself at home anywhere with his pickin', though,and he'd be closer to the Getaway. On second thought, go for it!

But who am I to talk. I've probably bid on the farm a few times in the last two years and still have a few of my nine lives left. I must be healing. because I successfully shoveled all that stuff and it only hurt on the second day.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Rapparee
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 09:17 AM

Spent too much sweat down in those Virginia mountains, Bobert ol' buddy. Between sweat, humidity, skeeters, hornets, and all that crap I don't feel like plowing snow as well. 'Course, it is awful purty when it's all green and fresh and after a shower it smells like heaven must. But then that same shower floods the runs and they in turn flood the roads and you.

Nah, give me the mountains out here. 4800 feet above sea level, 40F degrees today, the snow is melting, and with the global warming thing I expect any day to find myself owning beachfront property. If ol' Amos comes by in a life jacket or a kayak maybe I'll take him in, maybe, as I lay in the sunshine and sip beer.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 08:31 AM

I Bid $100 for the farm !!

AND a 100th post !

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Dec 09 - 08:13 AM

Yeah, as per usual, yer right, Eb... I must lost my mind there last night.... Ahhhhhh, that smell of spring and the wildflowers and the merelle mushrooms and leave on the trees and, and , and...

Plus, if I moved next door to Amos I'm afraid that he's be a bad influence on me and we'd just sit around soakin' in that sunshine and smokin' dope and not get much of anything done...

Heck, what am I thinking here???

FARM FOR SALE!!!

B~

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 11:07 PM

pat pat pat There, there, Beaubear. By spring you won't remember this day. Hardly a'tall.

And Spring- remember how purty it is in those hills in Spring? Just focus on that.

pat pat pat

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 05:47 PM

Just bite me, Amos!!!

Sunshine, my butt...

But nevermind that 'cause it's...

... FARM FOR SALE!!!

Man, Iz wored out... I can't imagine having to ever agian dig out this friggin' half mile steepass driveway again... No, I'm gonna sell the sumabcih and move to California and buy a house right next door to Amos and groove on that sunshine and smoke dope until I drop... Yezzir, that is the plan...

Meanwhile, yes... I did finish just as it was getting dark... Ended up pokin' a purdy decent hole in my forehead but it's done and I don't care about the hole... It will heal... I'm beat... Everything hurts... An' here it is only what??? Three days until Christmas and I was plannin' on havin' me a fistfight with Santa this year but as bad as I feel he might take me... That would be terrible to get beat up by Santa... Maybe I'll just do what the other thread said and pop him with the 12 guage... Yeah, much better idea... At least fir now...

Gonna go soak in the tub...

Anyone lookin' fir a farm??? Cheap...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: GUEST,beardedbruce
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 03:27 PM

Got 20 -22 inches in Mt. Rainier.

National Airport reports new record- most snow 16 inches) ever recorded in 24 hours.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Carly
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 02:52 PM

Thanks to all for their good wishes. Dean is feeling much better today; ironically, he and our son are supposed to go in tomorrow to get H1N1 shots (as an older asthmatic, I already had mine.)

Carly

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Amos
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 02:16 PM

Man, we're still getting blasted out here; this morning another six inches of sunlight started pouring out of the heavens. Imade it to work without going blind, and the schools are still open, but that just shows what hardy folk we San Diegans are; we keep things going up to the last minute. I dunno though; I hear the surf's up, too...
That's a wicked combination.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 02:06 PM

Well, so far the plan is workin'... I did make it down the driveway this mornin' and into town, filled up the tractor with deisel, strapped an extra 5 gallon can on top of the plow, made it back and am making slow progress (one bucket at a time) on the scarey hill from the bottom... Had to walk home for luch and a quick nap from down there but will go back shortly and hopefully break thru before dark... Gonna be real close...

Fun, fun, fun...

(Not)

B~

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 11:34 AM

Ha ha, we've just had a mere 4 inch blob fall in South Croydon, England whic is causing chaos.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Nancy King
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 11:23 AM

Good luck, Bobert!

As for me, I'm LIBERATED! Snow plows finally showed up, followed not too long after by the recycling collection truck! Fortunately, I'd checked the county website and got my mountains of trash and recycling out to the curb (or somewhere close to it -- who can tell?) just in the nick of time. Whee!

So now I'm ready to go -- where? I wonder if the grocery stores have had a chance to re-stock...

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Dec 09 - 09:18 AM

Guess folks are diggin' out this mornin'... I'm waitin' for a couple more of them Ferenheits to come 'round before tryin' to get the deisel to fire in the Kabota then...

...the two of us are going to "take the plunge" down steepest part of the driveway some 200 feet to the road... There are places in there where the snow looks to be as high as 28 inches but according to the Wes Ginny Slide Rule this will work... Or not???

Oh, the joys of winter...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 08:00 PM

Whew, Mrrzy... Glad you cleared that up... Tow trucks ain't 'sposed to be in folks houses... It's the rules...

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: GUEST,fretless
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 07:01 PM

Federal government and Arlington County government are closed Monday, which means I get a day off, too. And lots of good visits with the neighbors this morning while we were taking breaks from shoveling our sidewalks and driveways. For the moment, life is good.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 05:53 PM

I *did* remember to turn my car so that it's facing downhill instead of leaving it in its usual back-out position. But a friend parked behind me and got stranded here, went home on foot but his car is still there. I figure it should be good to get out by Wednesday, and both of us are educators so we're not missing work...

I meant that *I* was inside, the tow and other trucks were out, in the snow, oddly enough, right before our big front windows. It was kind of like a movie...

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 05:21 PM

I had to give it up for the day... I have run thru all but a gallon of diesel and still have 200 feet to the road but...

...it's all downhill so tomorrow morning I'm going toset the front bucket about 6 inches above the ground level and set the plow at an angle and just let her rip down that last 200 feet... Then I'll just drive the tractor the 4 miles to the nearest gas station, gas it up, then drive another mile to the equipment joint and buy a couple shere pins that I've broken today on the blade and then back home and attack the remainin' snow from the bottom of the hill...

At least that's the plan for now... I might come up with a better one, I donno...

I sure hope we don't get another deep snow 'cause I ain't got any room left to stash it...

Hope everyone is safe and warm this evenin'...

Sorry about the tow truck runnin' into yer house, Mrrzy...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 05:09 PM

"I thought that was posted in standing orders? Perhaps you missed it."

naawww...it was just COLD when I went out to cover the car, and I got involved and ignored 'standing orders'. I paid for my folly with extra digging! (I did back in, so that my drive wheels would have a full car's length of clear pavement to work with.)

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Alice
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 05:08 PM

from the NY Times

"Possibly the worst of the delays jangled nerves for 150 pre-dawn commuters on the 2:53 a.m. train from Penn Station. It was due in to Ronkonkoma at 4:14 a.m. but was stranded for several hours — the Associated Press said more than five — by a combination of snow drifts, ice and failures of equipment. It had to be towed to a nearby station."

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Alice
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 05:05 PM

news says there are 150 people stranded on a commuter train on Long Island, which has white out snow conditions.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: gnu
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 04:37 PM

Bill D... "One trick (which I forgot this time) is to park the car near the street end of the driveway,..."

I thought that was posted in standing orders? Perhaps you missed it.

BTW... park the drive wheels away from the street... that's for those who don't often get snow.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 04:31 PM

One trick (which I forgot this time) is to park the car near the street end of the driveway, so that minimum shoveling is required to get the car out. It doesn't change the total, but 'may' at least help get out when needed.
I have actually contemplated some sort of car port with a peaked roof....but...$$$$$

The other trick is to cover the car with a roll of heavy-duty plastic,,,(Home Depot) and peel all the snow off in one careful tug..It was a bit heavy this time, but sure left the car clean.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Alice
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 04:01 PM

That's how deep my long driveway and sidewalk gets buried several times in a winter. I hate it. After my shoulder injury a couple years ago, I can't shovel like I used to. It's worse when the temp is below zero. I'm going to invest in an electric snow thrower some day (when my ship comes in).

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 03:57 PM

Ok... at least I can get out now if I need to. It only took 5 trips of 10-40 minutes apiece. I'm sure glad this wasn't a heavy, wet snow.

   I even have ice melting stuff for the melt/freeze cycles of the next few days.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: CarolC
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 03:42 PM

You have a tow truck inside your house?

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 03:39 PM

Hee hee - I've been watching the tow truck that got stuck inside my house, so far the SUV has come and failed to move it and gone, and a bigger truck is now stuck behind it, why are they even out there?

I'm going to be walking to my party... none of the buses are running yet, not city nor school.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 02:38 PM

The front of our house looks like Bill D's lovely pix, but our backyard is sheltered on 3 sides by tall trees and the drifts back there have gone over a meter... the boys could SWIM in it. It was GREAT seeing them out there acting like the kids they are, in those undeniably adolescent bodies! And very little melted today, which will all freeze overnight, and we might get some more tomorrow! Yippee! I love teaching and school being out when this happens!

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 02:03 PM

Well, me and Mr. Kabota had a fine mroning and early afternoon... I'm down to the last 400 feet which unfortunately is straight down but I've allready attacked the first 59 feet of the hill from hell and looks as if my plan will work... If not, been nice knowin' ya'll...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Alice
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 12:09 PM

Bill, you have a nice collection of snow photos. I like the recent one of the house with your shoveled path.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Gorgeous Gary
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 11:56 AM

Haven't tried to measure here in Rockville yet (Washingtonpost.com claims 21"). Have Sheryl's car mostly excavated, will work on mine a bit later.

VERY tempting to take the day off tomorrow. Regardless of whether the Feds close or not, Metro and downtown DC will be a mess.

-- Gary

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 11:30 AM

Snowing here in Maine but just a dusting. Maybe 3". Hope it's not enough to have to pay to have my driveway ploughed.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 11:20 AM

A few more pics this morning (#18 on). It's not bad; plow came thru, and didn't even make a serious mess for me to clear. I'll poke at it gradually thru the day, and probably be able to drive out tomorrow.


And it never WAS a 'blizzard'....not around here. Locals have no idea what 'blizzard' really means. We had more snow than usual- it came on a weekend, so traffic was not as bad as if it happened in rush hour on a Tuesday.

More birds.. Downy woodpeckers, Cardinals, Nuthatch...

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bill D
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 10:32 AM

I measure 18" in several spots.

The birds found us this morning....the word that the deli is open got around pretty fast. Snowbirds, Tufted Titmice, Carolina Wrens, Chickadees, Goldfinches, a few sparrows....and one fat Red-bellied Woodpecker who claims the suet for himself!

Very pretty out...sun shining.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Nancy King
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 10:19 AM

Time to start shoveling.... Not that it will do much good -- my one-block, dead-end street is pretty low on the plowing priority list, so it'll probably be another couple of days before I can get up the hill and out. Even my all-wheel drive Subaru can't push through snow higher than the bumper.

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 09:09 AM

Wimps, my but, Rap... Other than the mild inconviences, like spending 3 days diggin' out to the road, most of us are enjoyin' the snow...

I think it's too cold here (13 degress), however, to get the the kabuta started until noon so I'm gonna brew another pot of coffee and just chill (pun intended)... Then go out and take some pics 'cause everything is beautiful and then spend the after noon on tractor duty...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: It's Gonna SNOW In DC!!!
From: Sawzaw
Date: 20 Dec 09 - 08:52 AM

We got 18" here. Nearby in Columbia they got 23"

I had to take my daughter to work because her Civic was out of the question. Then I took the person she relieved to her home in Baltimore. She had a Civic too.

It was in the middle of a what the weathermen termed a blizzard. There were very few cars out and it was terrible but my 2WD pickup made it through fine after I got out of my side street with the help of some sand

I didn't even have to resort to my trick of letting air out of my rear tires to increase my footprint and get more traction.

It broke the record for December but it was 6th for largest ever.

It we get another major one it will probably break the record for yearly total.

Of course it is just an freak event and doesn't count unless it fits into the subjective data sets of the Illuminati.