We’re in the heart of Winter, but Winter does not have my heart … of that you can be sure.
Oh… some of the songs might make you wistful for Winter’s beauty on a snowy night, like Gordon Lightfoot’s pensive “Song For A Winter’s Night” which has always been a personal favorite of mine.
And … the traditional Christmas songs paint a pretty picture of the snow:
“Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose.” … Nipping at your nose? That’s a polite word for freezing your nose off, especially with our forecast slated for Tuesday and Wednesday when we will dip to below -3F (-19C), and a wind chill of -30F (-34C).
“Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh, over the fields we go, laughing all the way.” … Laughing is not the description I’d use to describe the commuters, the outside workers and the shovellers, who will deal with the nearly half-foot of snow coming our way tomorrow. And did anyone ever ask the horses if they enjoy traipsing in the snow when they could be munching hay in the warm barn? Just sayin’.
Even the merry little snow globe; it’s pretty to watch the flakes floating down … turn it the other way and the flakes are gone. If only it was that easy for the snow to disappear.
The Currier and Ives prints on our Christmas cards also paint a pretty picture of the snow and Winter … but, I still don’t embrace this season, and am counting the days until Spring’s arrival … 51 more days, and that’s no guarantee that it’ll feel or look like Spring – last year we still had snow and cold temps at April’s arrival.
But I have digressed bigtime from weaving yesterday’s walk into a blog post.
But … here I go again with my tale about last night.
Last night I was getting ready to write my post on yesterday’s long-awaited walk at Council Point Park. I had fired up the computer and was dwelling on the impending cold overnight, as we inched toward zero (-17C) and a -8F (-22C) wind chill. A light dusting of snow was expected as well. I walked over to the kitchen sink to run the water in each of the double sinks. I’d been letting it drip all day, but thought it might need some oomph … it had some oomph all right. I heard a noise and the unmistakable sound of water gushing onto the cupboard floor – the doors were open to direct heat to the pipes so I quickly assessed the situation. Oh joy … the left sink pipe was hanging down. I reached underneath and propped it up with my one hand and shut the tap off with my other hand.
Then I said bad words.
Well, that was a quick fix (my actions, not the words), but eventually I had to pull my hand away, and soon the right pipe was similarly hanging down and water was flowing from it onto the cupboard floor.
Yup, I uttered a few more bad words.
I propped up the whole contraption with a thermos bottle and Googled Quint Plumbing, my new go-to place since my multiple plumbing fiascoes in 2017. I was pretty wound up when I called Mike, the owner, who calmly told me his guy on call had two jobs ahead of me and gave me Bill’s number to see if he could squeeze me into Saturday night’s queue. Bill was friendly and agreeable and said he’d be here in about an hour and a half and asked what I thought he should stop and get at the shop, in case he did not have it on hand – “was anything broken?” he asked. I resisted the urge to say “bubblegum” and instead said “plumber’s putty” – the pipes were all new and installed in June 2017.
Bill knocked at the door at 9:55 p.m. The light dusting of snow that was supposed to start around midnight arrived early and it was snowing like crazy as I opened the door to let him in. A crust of snow had already collected on the visor of his cap just from walking to the door from his vehicle. It turned out the seals/gaskets were bad and he had brought new ones and slipped them in and assured me “no putty was needed” … he applied all the force he had with his channel locks to get everything tightened and let water gush from the tap to assure me it was not leaking. I was happy and soon he was on his way, thankfully with no more emergencies left on his agenda.
The plumber left at 10:45 p.m. I’ll bet the neighbors’ tongues were a waggin’ about that one. Maybe they were asleep. It was about past my bedtime as well, even though it was a Saturday night. I was still incredulous about the whole catastrophe, but couldn’t dwell on it for long – I had to get on my hands and knees and try to dry out the cupboard.
Mom’s pearls of wisdom rang in my ears: “always keep a dishpan under your sink pipes to avoid disaster” – it caught some of the water, but it still leaked out when the pipes just collapsed. The bigger disaster would have been if the pipes fell apart in the middle of the night and the water was trickling into the cupboard and out onto the floor.
By far, the better part of yesterday was my walk to the Park.
A blog post was bubbling around in my head about my trip but it had to wait as I lost my zeal for recreating my five miles walked, the resourceful Grady and making peace with Parker and his pals after my long absence from that venue.
Way to go Grady!
It was 8 degrees F (-13C) when I set out for my walk on Saturday morning. Sure it was bitter cold, but there were no worries … no flurries, no snow or ice … just great walking weather, provided you bundled up.
I donned multiple layers when I headed out, but reluctantly decided to leave behind the camera, as I didn’t want to damage it in the frigid cold. The thought running through my mind was my late friend Marge telling me “always carry your camera with you – you’ll see that perfect shot and then you won’t be able to capture it.” I hesitated once again, but left it behind.
All I had to do was grab my coat and lace up my shoes so I reached out the front door and dropped 10 peanuts onto the porch, then hustled to get ready and out the door.
I got outside, and unbelievably, in the space of 8-10 minutes’ time, all but two peanuts remained on the porch and peanut shells littered the porch. I chuckled to myself thinking “those boys were hungry.” Since the weather was clear, I backed the car out of the garage to drive to the Park and give it a run. While the car was warming up, along came Grady, past the car, slinking up the porch steps, where he grabbed a peanut and then he surprised me. I watched as he scrambled up the bricks and along the brick ledge … he went all the way to the other side of the ledge where he perched as he ate the peanut.
“Well, that a new one on me” I thought. Was he evading the hawk, or me? Of course it was the hawk … (at least I think it was).
Was he doing that for my benefit to take note of an alternate feeding spot just for him? The other squirrel could never get his fat body up there … way to go Grady!
Of course, if I had the camera it would have made a terrific photo for up top of this post …
I made peace with Parker and his pals.
I took a large bag of peanuts with me to make it up to Parker and his pals as I’d been absent from my favorite nature nook for eight days. As I crossed the parking lot, I shook the plastic bag so they knew I was coming. Parker was MIA at the parking lot, but came bounding over near the pavilion area where I lavished peanuts and apologies simultaneously. I got onto the perimeter path and was happy to see there were only the occasional icy patches. That rain and warmer temps we had on Wednesday afternoon did wonders to clear the asphalt path.
One by one, squirrels started heading out of their nests and scrambling down the trees to ground level. I gave them each a pile of peanuts, which they eagerly started munching, not hiding, right away. I figured the ground was first too snowy from the half-foot of snow on Saturday the 19th, then too frozen thereafter to dig for peanuts, so they were starving. The second time around the “wildlife side” I noted the peanuts were all gone, and only shells remained and a passel of my furry friends were back to greet me. I indulged them and once again wished for the camera to record them happily munching away.
The Creek was frozen solid and a light covering of snow had drifted on top of the ice. Not a duck, goose – or even a seagull was in sight, so likely they flew down to the Detroit River, where the current is swift and they could still have access to vegetation beneath the water.
The Park is wearing its desolate look. Not enough snow to look picturesque, dead leaves rattling on tree branches and the tall, wheat-colored phragmites waving at me in the wind as I strolled by them.
I left the remaining peanuts on the picnic table under the pavilion roof in case I didn’t make it down today … I was glad I did so, as I didn’t get there today, though I planned on it. We had two inches of snow and it was slick when I went out to run the car.
Before I walked into the house yesterday I put five peanuts on the ledge for Grady to find if he was still out and about. I looked out later on Saturday and all the peanuts were gone. He’s a pretty smart cookie that little squirrel … he made sure he climbed up there so I could see him and give him a new spot to put his treats. The sucker that I am bought into this idea hook, line and sinker.
I walked five loops, and would have gotten in a six-mile walk, but I wanted to avoid shin splints from walking too many miles as I’d not walked in over a week. Usually when I’m unable to walk in the Winter, I go downstairs on the exercise bike, but it was too cold to be comfortable down there. I shut the door from the cellarway to the kitchen to keep it warm so it feels like you could hang meat in the basement.
I returned home, keen for a coffee to warm up and cupped my cold hands around the cup as my entire body warmed up slowly. So, perhaps I made a boo-boo in that I didn’t tote the camera with me, so I’m using one of Jill Wellington’s photos from her Winter collection instead.
[Image from Jill Wellington and Pixabay]
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
I hate sinks and plumbing… I find myself fixing one thing or another all the time.
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I wish you could have seen the look on my face when the whole thing fell apart – we are having some wicked cold here in Michigan, just like most of the Midwest … I know you are not missing Michigan right now!
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No, I’m not missing it at all, lol!
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Ha ha – I didn’t think you would. They said we’ve not had wind chills like this since January 1994 – you were still living in Michigan back then?
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Yup, was there then… only been gone 4 years. It will be down to zero here in a few days. I couldn’t imagine dealing with so many negative temps and snow and ice… uhg. STAY SAFE AND WARM!!
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I didn’t realize how long since you left – was thinking it was longer – OMG, this is just horrible and schools, even some colleges, are closed, so not just catering to the small kids being in danger for the buses running late. I am less tolerant of all these weather extremes … you want to say if it is global warming, why are we so cold, but if you remember meteorologist Paul Gross from Channel 4/Click on Detroit – he’s been on that station 35 years, he has been preaching for about 4-5 years on global warming and its many effects – Paul Gross says the extreme weather we have been having is all part of it … we had the 3-4 tornadoes within 10 miles of where I live last year – not looking forward to unstable weather in any season. You stay warm and safe too Craig – thanks for your kind thoughts!
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Linda, was the plumbing problem from the cold weather ie frozen or something unrelated? I have been worried about freezing pipes for the past week as my basement is very cold too. It’s a good thing you knew of someone to call who would come right away…..that’s always a problem. I miss your photos but can just picture Parker and all the squirrels running to greet you after such a long absence.
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Hi Joan – no, my problem wasn’t from the cold weather like frozen pipes, but that is why I was so worried about the pipes coming apart as I could not let the water drip. As it gets colder on Tuesday and Wednesday, I will stop just the dripping and make it as a very thin trickle at all the taps in the house, bathtub and bathroom sink included, even though they are inside walls. I also do small loads of laundry to keep the basement pipes warm. I just take two old cotton items and wash them in a small hot water wash several times a day to warm the pipes. They say this is the worst windchill we’ve had since January 1994. Mike suggested if the plumber was not able to come last night, to take a fan to direct the heat onto the pipes to keep them warm. The plumber said the seals didn’t fit properly so they the PVC pipes just fell apart. I was lucky he was willing to come last night. They are available 24/7 every day and always have a person on call. I was bummed I did not have the camera with me but it was so bitter cold I decided not to chance it. Today, same thing – didn’t go to the Park, but we had fresh snow and a really blue sky so it would have made a nice picture, but left the camera inside. My basement is really cold – I guess I could open the door this week. Where I sit, I am also getting a draft from the open cupboard – I have had the cupboards open in the kitchen and bathroom all week to let the warm air circulate through them. I am no fan of Winter, even less so in this weather. They expect schools to be closed 3 days this week.
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I’m never sure how much to let the taps drip, but that’s a good idea to increase it the colder it gets. I miss walking, and may go out a bit but later it looks like a brownie-baking day.
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A brownie-baking day in the warm kitchen sounds cozier Joan. I’d have gone this morning as the snow was supposed to start at 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. and didn’t, but it was quite slick on the streets and sidewalks – many people didn’t clear their sidewalks as they anticipated today’s big snowfall. I hope it gets better through the week, after the polar vortex passes.
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Sounds like you’ve had some wise people to give you advice. I love their quotes. 🙂 Sorry about the faucet trouble. I know that made for a bad night.
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Yes, I was so grateful for Quint Plumbing. I had a terrible time two years ago with two plumbing jobs, including this same sink as it repeatedly leaked and had to come back during the same day and afterward to fix it. The pipes were all new, so I knew they were not cracked, everything just collapsed. After the plumbing debacle in 2017, I asked around for plumber recommendations – where I go for my hair recommended them as they were in their neighborhood and did a big job for them with no hassles and were very pleased. Thank goodness they made the night a little better, but much angst before that.
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That is great the plumber was able to come quickly and that your squirrel friends are talking to you again!
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I know AJ, I am grateful I got their name from my hair salon – they spoke in glowing terms about them, so I knew where to go – and emergency hours to boot. The squirrels were happy to see me – I think everything was snowy and frozen down at the Park – I felt badly for them. We had the 2 inches of snow this morning and it was slippery on the roads – lots of accidents, so I didn’t walk – see I was making such progress and you said you needed to catch up and I told you that Winter would get in the way of my walking eventually, and I might have jinxed myself. If you were here, you’d be getting as many as 3 days off this week s the schools will be closed. Partly this is due to the snow tomorrow – my area they are saying 4-6 inches, (was 6, then they have downgraded a small amount), and then we have this big polar freeze, so they say the kids can’t wait for the buses in the cold and/or snow. They will likely announce a schedule early tomorrow morning for Monday-Wednesday off.
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Well I’m glad you knew who to call! That can make all the difference in that situation!
We still just have rain. I’m hoping to run tomorrow before school to get some mileage in. I’m at 86.9km so far this year. I’m trying for 100 each month
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I was so glad I found their name AJ – I must take a minute to call or e-mail Jill and Jim today and thank them for the referral, though Jill follows my blog, so maybe she’ll see it before I call. I now hope we have no issues from this extreme cold … the snow is on target to arrive today after 8:00 a.m. and the weather advisory (snow only) til midnight, then the brutal cold wave begins … it is all across the Midwest, Michigan is not exclusive, and Chicago had some wicked wind chills last night – I heard that on the national news. Once the better weather, i.e. no snow/ice and brutal cold, get here, I’ll get out again … it was wonderful on Saturday, despite the cold. Clear and crisp if you’re dressed for it … now why can’t I embrace the rain and be dressed for it … I’m working on it … must get a rain suit and be ready for Spring showers (if Spring shows up after this siege).
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Oh that weather sounds horrible! Stay in and stay warm!
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Thanks – not looking forward to it – we had snow all day – no totals yet as it’s been blowing and drifting around – ugh!
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I can’t imagine a day with snow all day! I only like that if I don’t have to go out in it!
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I know – I am glad for working at home … I am going out shortly and dreading it. Been running around doing a few small loads of laundry to warm the pipes, running water, checking things … a few more days til we are back to normal Winter weather … Friday they say and I can’t wait.
There is the worry about pipes freezing, water main break or power failure.
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Way too much to think about! Sounds like you’re racking up miles without ever having to leave the house!
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Yes, I should have on my pedometer for all the trips to the basement – why didn’t I think of that? We’re hunkered down for the bitter cold – 48 hours and then by Friday it will be more moderate Winter temps and rain on Saturday and 40 degrees F (4 C). Crazy. Wish it was Saturday now.
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I hope we don’t have another whole year of crazy weather!
I just did a quick run tonight as it’s cold out there!
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I think the weather all over the world is crazy, but especially in North America.
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Yes it has been for at least the past year! They are saying we may not get any snow this year!
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That’s good – I didn’t even think you got snow until you mentioned buying new snow boots as you had a hole in yours. I was surprised you needed snow boots there.
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We don’t really get snow. Once per season- a couple of inches and it melts in a day. I get the least where I am as I’m at water lebel
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That would be right up my alley but I’d have to get past the 200 rainy days a year part first. 🙂 I sure could live without this snow/ice/cold – I would not miss Winter.
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Yes our cold right now is -1:) I don’t mind the rain as you can still do stuff in it!
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I have to embrace that this year and will as I vowed to … rain shoes, a rain suit … I will do this. -1 is not bad, just below freezing – we will now get to 48 on Sunday. Potholes and water main breaks will begin. But better than this bitter and dangerous cold.
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I sure hope there is something that makes up for this weather!
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I hope so too AJ – at 3:30 this afternoon it got to -45 windchill. I understand when it is -40 F, that is the same temp in Celsius. Our reward will be we get to 50 (maybe 50s) this coming Monday – is that crazy or what?
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So sorry about your plumbing problem! Thank God they came that day!
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Thanks Diane – I am happy they were able to come as I was worried since we were having the -8 wind chill last night. I hope there are no power outages on Tuesday/Wednesday – the pipes would freeze for sure in this polar freeze we are having – I’m guessing you are in the same -30 wind chill range on Wednesday … they will close our schools for 3 days this week, likely Monday-Wednesday due to the snow and extreme cold. I know you won’t cancel … stay safe out there with your clients.
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Miss Linda…………………………….Oh my goodness you have plumbing problems again and on a Saturday night, late!!!…………………………you sure do have a great plumber who wanted to come and help you out……………………………I’m glad you are doing okay now………………….not 2017 all over again!!………………………I enjoy your style of writing it’s so interesting
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Yes Ann Marie – and I know you remember all the problems I had in June, then again in October that year as I e-mailed you about it and wrote about them here in the blog. I can’t tell you how I felt when the first PVC pipe, then the second one, fell down on Saturday night – I am glad I got it done last night due to the -8 windchill. Glad you are enjoying the posts Ann Marie. Stay warm tomorrow on your trek downtown … the soup kitchen will be hoppin’ tomorrow, that’s for sure.
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Linda
Thank God you didn’t get yourself wet in that plumbing accident. What a thing to happen. Pipes hanging down. I would have hung down myself and cried a few cries. Thank God for the plumber willing to come on a frozen saturday night.
Poor Parker and friends, who were starving- has he become thinner ?
Wonder what goes on in their minds when they don’t find you or the other walkers who give them food ? Would they eat tree bark ?
Good for Grady ! Great on the new feeding spot. There is always a ray of sunshine amidst the gloom.
Susie
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Hi Susie – I thought about taking a picture of the pipes hanging down as I decided to include this little episode in my blog post, but figured words would probably suffice. Everything is still out on the floor … years ago, we had floor tiles left over and so we painted the inside of the cupboard and put the tiles down to keep the fibreboard clean and also to make it lighter in the cupboard. The tiles got wet. I tarped the kitchen floor so the plumber could just walk over it – I was 99% sure all that needed to be done was re-attaching the pipes again … after Bill the plumber left, I folded the tarp back and on the dry parts, laid out the tiles … I don’t keep much in the cupboard because 2-3 times in 2017 I had to call to have the plumber come back for minor leaking (the same day and thereafter) – I was washing plums under the hot water and the pipe fell down … I told him then (2017) to fix it … the prior pipes, also PVC, were in place for 40 years before a tiny leak occurred. Nope, I did not get wet at all thankfully. I think as I get older I have less tolerance for anything, especially after 2017 when I had all kinds of household issues … too much for one year. I incorporate some of them in this post: https://lindaschaubblog.net/2018/01/01/happy-new-year-3/
I sure do worry about Parker and his pals – the cold spell we are having this week and our most-recent snowfall (2 inches) plus the 4-6 inches (up to 15 cms) coming today will make it more difficult for them to retrieve their peanuts they hid around the Park. I didn’t know if they would eat tree bark – I Googled and learned they do and am sharing it here below – I feel better knowing that Susie … Grady is a sweetie and when I saw him on Saturday I once again had to resist the urge to pick him up and carry him into the house. … you are right, he is a little ray of sunshine amidst the gloom. Here’s what I discovered thanks to you:
Squirrels are known for their habit of chewing on things, including the bark on trees. … Squirrels use bark in their nests. When bark is removed from trees, the cambium layer with sugars and nutrients is exposed. Squirrels often eat that layer when other food is scarce, particularly in the winter.
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I can’t even begin to imagine that -17C cold . I prefer colder weather, but that’s a bit much! Forecast for Cape Town today is 34 C – so we’re going to frizzle up and bake in the heat and very little wind. So I’m at the opposite end of the spectrum to you. Enjoying your squirrel stories.
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Hi Alison – I’d be fine with just the cold like Saturday … I dress for it, but not a fan of walking in the rain (too many years of bus commutes to work and waiting on the bus in bad weather – I’ll work on getting to like the rain more as I missed many walks last year due to the rain). We have a potential to get a half-foot of snow today and the advisory begins shortly and through midnight. The brutal cold does worry me – a power failure or broken water main due to the extreme cold, also are a fear of mine. I don’t like the extreme heat either, but at least you don’t fear for your life like in a power outage in the cold. I do enjoy interacting with my squirrel buddies – hope they are okay at the Park as likely no walkers will go there this week. My pals on the porch I can still take care of.
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Glad your pipe was fixed quickly. -2 feels cold to me!
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Yes Andy, I am so glad as well – I thought to myself “this had to happen on such a bitter cold night and heading into this extreme weather?” I don’t like these dangerously low temps … they are closing the schools, even the colleges (that surprises me) due to the snow today and the plunging temps.
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You know, I feel like I’m there with you when I read what you write….
I’m glad your pipes are fixed now….. hope you get some warmth soon…. winterland is pretty to look at but not to walk in.
G is so cute!!
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Thanks for sharing the pain from afar Eliza – yikes, this cold weather … and the schools, including colleges, are going to be closed today due to the snow and impending cold … they say likely the schools will be closed three days all together (maybe colleges for the additional days too … that’s a surprise) … so, if you were living here you’d likely get three days off! The teachers’ comments on social media say “yay, but our lesson plans will be messed up” – they were closed last week one day too) Luckily your weather is not so ugly! Yes, it is pretty to look at and all, but I’m ready for Spring … that Grady is cute, I want to pick him up under my arm and carry him into the house and make him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. 🙂
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Does he eat sandwiches?
I’m just glad that I don’t live in the US…. or countries that get that cold….
(((hugs)))
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I do feed the squirrels at the Park all kinds of treats, but years ago we had a neighborhood squirrel and it was Christmas and very cold and snowy and my mom made him some peanut butter sandwiches, cut them into “fingers” and we put them on top of the snow on some bushes. He ate the peanut butter off and threw away the bread but he was quite well fed. We gave him peanuts, and he ate the birdseed in our feeders and next door’s feeders and my neighbor next door was always giving him cookies. He was quite spoiled so I guess he didn’t “do bread”. 🙂 (((hugs)))
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he definitely sounds fussy!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Tuesday!
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I think he knew better things were around … more treats. It would be like you and I choosing chocolate chip cookies over Brussels sprouts, unless you’re a person who loves Brussels sprouts. 🙂 Happy Tuesday Eliza … half your day is over and I’m ready to head out and run the car in the garage … today we start this polar vortex through Thursday.
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lol, brussel sprouts :(. Cookies win hands down!!! Or frosties or whatever food I’m into at that moment.
Happy Tuesday! Enjoy running the car……….
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For sure and I gave up sweets from 2011 to last year … and happy to eat them again. Brussels sprouts – ugh. My father liked them so we had them at least once a week. That and creamed spinach, another favorite. My mom liked turnip which they call rutabagas here. I used to think all veggies tasted bitter and could hardly wait for desert! It was cold out there running the car and I had a red face by the time I got back in.
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This made me laugh.
I actually would love to one day try the Wahl’s diet which cuts out all sugar. Just need someone to do it with. Also, I eat so little fruit/veg it’d be really tough.
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I actually had no problems – started it by giving up sweets for Lent and just remained off sweets – no candy either. My parents were really strict about eating sweets and no pop/soda growing up, so I never missed candy/gum. I think my last comment re: teaching might have gone to SPAM … flew off the screen – in cyberspace. 🙂
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I’ll check the folder out.
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Way to take the events out of your control in stride, you survived…a few bad words is nothing for what you went through on a Saturday night. You are so lucky your plumber was out and about and up for taking on another call! All of your furry friends are darn lucky you take care of them! Stay warm, stay safe, and don’t forget to put the washtub under the faucet again! 😉
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I was so lucky he could take care of the problem Shelley – the disruption and worry … SMH. Yes bad words … not that they helped, but made me feel better! 🙂 I think it is dry under there now but the kitchen floor with the tiles on the tarp … they have to go away tonight … no room to move around but wanted to ensure everything was dry. You stay warm too – you are worse in Wisconsin than us in Michigan … kids (even many college kids) getting 3 days off as of the last news I heard. Poor Copper – thinking about him as well as my little wild critters.
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Yes, you want to make sure everything is dry! We’ve had renters who have done little to ensure leaks are caught, let alone dried once the leaks are discovered and fixed. Mold grows happily in those places. Yeah, it’s gonna be cold the next few days. I’m very worried about Copper, he comes in from outside and literally can’t catch his breath. It’s really scary to watch…
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Yes, black mold will grow very quickly and is unhealthy as you know. You have to keep on those renters ever time you have an issue – sigh. I e-mailed you a product name for Copper earlier today – it’s similar to what they use at the airport and maybe it will help ,if you can get it ordered and delivered before this brutal cold spell is over. Can you fashion some type of mask on him like a person uses, paper or polar-fleece, or otherwise? My neighbor had COPD and while she was still able to get out and about in the Winter, I ordered her a polar fleece mask from Amazon – it covered her mouth and nose completely. The paper masks were not strong enough to keep the cold air at baby and she would cough and a muffler across her face never stayed tied. I knew she didn’t want to mess up her lipstick, so I gave her a box of baggies and said to use them so she could keep the mask on in the car, etc. til she got to her destination … can you use the little house on your property for Copper ’til it gets warmer. Now I am worrying about him from afar.
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Oh, my goodness, that doggielawn looks great! I’m guessing the cats would use it too, and then he wouldn’t. I wish I would’ve started him on something like that, he’s 13 years old, so he’s not that easy to convince to try new things. He has a little jacket to wear, but hates the putting it on session. We appreciate you thinking about him, and looking for options, you’re so sweet. He’ll be okay, just will have to poop fast. He goes through this panic type thing in July when the fireworks go off for a couple of weeks.
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I was even thinking for that little outside building if you carried him there – I know it would be hard to teach him a new trick and I’m aware of the ick factor for all of you to leave it there… sigh. Hopefully this brutal weather will be over by Friday … that’s what they say for here … their words are “the weather will relax and maybe hit 40 over the weekend before a wintry mix Sunday” … a roller coaster ride. The fireworks are nonstop here after our Governor approved big fireworks about five years ago and the dogs and the poor veterans who suffer from PTSD suffer greatly.
Stay warm and safe Shelley.
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You’re so kind to keep thinking of him. He’ll survive, he knows not to stay out too long. And, he knows who will cuddle and warm him up when he gets back in. Yes, it’s supposed to rain on Saturday here. Yikes – a roller coaster weather week it will turn out to be!
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That’s good that he’ll beat a hasty path out there and back. Poor baby. I just hate the Winter with a passion and more so the older I get.
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Linda, I am with you. Winter is not my favorite season either. 51 days, huh? Maybe I will have to do a countdown. March 21 is usually not that warm in PA either, but we usually have some flowers blooming by that time and a sprinkling of semi-warm days. So glad that you are able to be out and about again after that long cold and icy spell. I bet your squirrel pals at the park (especially Parker) were wondering what happened to their favorite human!
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Old Man Winter is really making himself at home today … blowing and drifting snow and maybe some freezing rain on top of it … different forecasts on that wintry precip though and then the polar vortex with the brutal cold weather tomorrow night … dreading that. We do get some flowers in late March around here – I see one house where the homeowner always has snow drops come up and they’re sometimes covered in snow. We may have a few hyacinths but that’s about it til April. Hopefully this polar vortex doesn’t wreak further havoc with my garden like it did for the last two polar vortex events. It took out many bushes and perennials. Those squirrels were happy and came running over – I felt so badly I didn’t get there yesterday. Today we didn’t get snow until mid-morning but it was still pretty slippery out on the streets/sidewalks … people didn’t shovel as we had the big snow coming in this morning so I didn’t venture down there Enjoy that warm weather there in Florida Laurie … hope you were spared the rain today.
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Hi Linda, I love your commentary on the song quotes your dead on with those!! Glad your sink is fixed too. My pipes freeze every year to my washer i’m sure they will be solid by Wednesday. so last day for me to do laundry.
You and those squirrels they must love you to pieces. Just to keep you informed about some bird sightings this weekend.
Two owls at Elizabeth park we spotted them about 430 yesterday near the log piles. got a photo of one and it flying!! (starting a new blog as well i’ll share it out as the photo will be there!) The Bald Eagles are back at Mud Island you can see them from the pavilion at John D. Dingell park. Seen two on my way into work this morning!
The downing wood peckers are out like crazy just about everywhere. so keep an ear and eye open.
and please be super safe this week it is going to be bitter cold and the roads are not that nice so please be safe if you go out!
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Wow – you gave me a lot of info Pril. I have been doing little loads of laundry, just a couple of old pillowcases, to keep the pipes warm plus trickling water in the basement sink as it is very cold in the basement – I hate the Winter and having the bitter cold and snow is a double whammy for sure. I am glad you are starting a new blog – you said and I saw the other one had gone dormant so I didn’t check back for any more posts from you. I wish I had thought about going to Dingell Park on Saturday when I took the car for a run. I was tipped off to go there last year to see the bald eagles and I saw one when I was there – took a photo but it looked like a brown speck on an ice floe. He (or she) had flown down from a tall tree on Mud Island and landed on the ice floe and perched there for a long time, likely looking for a fish. Many professional photographers were out there on that cold and frosty day … they had their long lenses and tripods and some folks just with binoculars. I went back a few weeks later with binoculars, but no eagles that day. I follow Detroit Audubon on Facebook and they had a bird outing over the weekend at Bishop Park. I was surprised that the River was that frozen over – I know we had cold weather last week but I didn’t think it would have frozen over so quickly … ice everywhere. I will see if I can forward the post with the pictures that I saw earlier today and if I can’t, I’ll leave you a Facebook message and the exact name of their site. Thanks for the tips and you keep warm too – dreading this siege of cold … I don’t mind going out in the cold if it is clear without snow and ice, as I just bundle up, but this is crazy cold we are going to have. Stay safe too Pril. I’m glad I work from home and don’t have that commute by bus downtown anymore.
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Linda so sorry about the plumbing woes. I’m glad it was taken care of so quickly. We always have trouble with our pipes freezing during those big cold snaps, not as cold as you have, but cold for here. We’ll be on high alert later this week when the plunge hits. As always I enjoy the furry stories and put my own visuals with your descriptions. Seems I have the take or not take the camera with me debate, wishing more often than not that I had the camera. Such is life. Stay warm, dry and safe. Xo kim
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Thanks Kim – my contractor woes in 2017 were not as bad as yours this past year, but it was a year for contractor debacles … this already happened a month or so after the new PVC pipes were put in. I was washing a plum with hot water and the left pipe came off – kerplunk and gushing water. I called (after calming down a little) and he came and tightned them – it leaked twice the day he put them in. After that I began constantly looking under the sink and in the dishpan – didn’t trust they were tight enough and it bothered me no putty was used. So it took about 18 months to fall apart again. The new plumber used all his might. 🙂 I needed someone to take a picture of me with one hand on the pipe, one hand shutting water off while watching the right-side pipe just come down … SMH. I always worry using the camera in moist conditions or snow and then I saw our Detroit Audubon birding group’s pictures from Saturday down at the Detroit River which was frozen over and their elaborate long lenses etc. – I guess they were comfortable going out. You’re right – such is life. My friend lives in Richmond, VA and is already talking about their big freeze, hopefully you fare well in this Kim. Take care.
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So glad you plumbing problems were an easy fix and how fortunate they could get it done that night. Please be safe this week Linda (between shoveling snow and these cold temps)
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Thanks Ruth – you two be safe too … I hear this snow will possible turn to freezing rain later overnight – I hope they are wrong on that account. I am concerned about the brutal cold – I hope there are no power issues or water main breaks. I am happy to have a good plumber to call now – this should never have happened … our other PVC double-sink pipes were installed in 1976 and at 41 years old had their first leak – he broke two things trying to fix it and had to install all new pipes, drain baskets and stems. And it leaked more than before … that was a minor leak, but my laundry tub pipe corroded and sprung a leak, so I had him look at this at the same time.
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We weren’t in the area to get freezing rain. I hope it missed you too.
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I hit a key and lost my comment in cyberspace … I looked out and it seems we have missed the freezing rain as I see no glistening driveway or sidewalk. Thank goodness and I will venture out in a few minutes. We have 40s this weekend and a wintry precip coming … I’m ready for Spring and Summer. Stay warm and safe Ruth.
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I hate when that happens. LOL. At least you don’t have to deal with ice on top of the snow. I’m ready for spring and summer too. 🙂
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Me too Ruth. I looked outside and saw nothing glistening in the driveway – that was true, but I got a big surprise when I got outside. We DID have freezing rain and there was a glaze in places and the sidewalk at the side was slippery, had to chip away at the front door where snow drifted and ice formed on it … the mailbox sealed shut by ice. And now we have this “big chill” (putting it mildly) … you have all your emergency measures you wrote about before in place … I hope I don’t need any emergency measures. The drip has turned to a trickle … we will shatter old records. Like you, I’d rather be enjoying Spring or Summer and shattering heat records.
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I am forever grateful that my husband is so handy. I haven’t had pipes fall apart like that but we’ve certainly had other… ummmm… water-related issues. I’ve said bad words too. They don’t fix the problems, but I often feel a little better 🙂
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Janis – It is quite amazing just how quickly water can gush and fill a cupboard, floor, basement … the pipe just fell apart in my hands … I don’t have a garbage disposal which can shake, rattle and roll the pipe apart – the seals didn’t hold. Pipes are only 18 months old. I had a hot water tank burst once in between doing laundry loads – a Saturday night on top of it. Everything was okay when I put the load in, and 1/2 hour later water was everywhere, creeping from the laundry room, into the pantry room and the other side where they is an area rug and braided rugs – what a mess. I couldn’t shut off the hot-water tank, the lever was stuck … my neighbor helped by bringing over a huge squeegee that he used when making an ice rink in the backyard for his boys to play hockey. He saved the day to help scoot the water down the drain. Yes, I felt better after saying really “bad words” … I had to put that in the post, as we’ve all been there occasionally, even if we don’t admit it.
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You are coping well with your least-favorite season of the year. I’m very impressed with your plumber.
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Thanks Anne – I’m looking forward to Friday when the snow/cold siege are over with. The plumber saved the day – he really did and he was so good natured about coming that time of night – he could have said “would tomorrow morning be okay?” I think everything is dry in there now, thanks to the furnace being on so much yesterday and today. I’m toying with the idea of leaving the tiles out … we put the light-colored tiles in there and painted it to make it lighter but maybe I won’t store anything there going forward. The dishpan works for the main drain, but looking across at it now – I sit right across from the kitchen sink, I really need a pan that goes horizontally to accommodate each drain – maybe a huge boot tray would work…it would not collect everything, but there would be no gaps. Bill said to have them come and tighten the pipes every few years to ensure nothing comes apart – they just don’t use putty anymore except at the top beneath the drain basket to putty to the sink. The snow is done, maybe some freezing rain – different weatherman have a different take on tonight’s precip forecast. Then the deep freeze – hopefully the roses rally back … they almost bit the dust the last polar vortex. I thought they died and I was going to cut them down/dig them up over Memorial Day Weekend that year. They were brown and I snapped off branches – deader than a door nail. I used to listen to a garden show – others had the same dilemma and he said to cut then down to a foot and give them lots of Miracle Gro and cross your fingers. They came back and bloomed before Summer ended.
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Our snow has not started yet. There is no telling if it will fall, and if it falls, whether it will stick.
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Mood enhancing snow like Christmas Eve … they say it is snowing at Metro Airport which is not that far from me – I don’t see anything right now and ready to head out … takes 15 minutes to get dressed these days.
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Our snow finally started after multiple delays. It’s all over now, and the temperature is beginning to drop. Maybe we will stay white for a while. Snow stuck on the roads only in shady, low-traveled areas.
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You finally got some of that long-awaited snow. It looked pretty anyway. I think the snow is over with, but we had some freezing rain last night – I didn’t think so when I looked out – when I got outside, it was a different story. I’m hoping we are unscathed by the bitter cold … we are set to shatter records like crazy over the next 48 hours. Sunday in the 40s … crazy. On Friday things get more normal, but two days of this brutal cold to get through first.
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Our days will warm up soon.
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You’ll be spying flowers on your walk and your garden … we ain’t there for a long while. 🙂
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I’m wishing for a little warm-up weather so you can go for your walk! I don’t think I could deal with your kind of weather Linda! Stay warm!!!
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Thanks Sabine – I am so glad I got out on Saturday. Another blogger who lives near me told me there were bald eagles down at the Detroit River at Dingell Park where I go sometimes. They perch in the trees on a small uninhabited island and swoop down onto the small ice floes to fish. I didn’t think there was that much ice yet, though it was cold last week. It sure will be solid ice after the next few days. I am finding myself getting more disgruntled with the weather as I get older, but I have to tell you that one of the meteorologists I follow is quite immersed in global warming studies and he says the erratic weather we are having here for all seasons is attributed to global warming – even this severe Winter weather. We had some volatile storms this Summer with a few tornado touchdowns not far from me – I don’t like thinking of volatile weather occurring in each season. It is disconcerting for sure. I’m looking forward to Friday – a normal Winter day they say and hopefully a walk is in the cards for me.
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I can’t blame you for getting tired of the crazy weather! Our winter this year is much warmer and drier than usual. Summers are much hotter too. Last year there were several tornadoes, small ones, but tornadoes nonetheless, that touched down in the Pacific Northwest! I do believe that global warming is real and not enough is being done about it. We have bald eagles too. One flies over the yard every so often. Have a good week Linda!
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It looks very beautiful where you live Sabine, especially when you show Mount Hood in the background, the birds, the flowers – sigh. I am from Canada and we had some bad Winters there … still doesn’t make it any more enjoyable, especially if you are not a Winter sports enthusiast. The eagle over the yard sounds delightful … have a great day.
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Thanks Linda! It is beautiful here, but your corner of the world is too! I hope to see a post about those eagles on the lake! 🙋
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This is true – it is probably harder to complain about Michigan during these cold spells and this polar vortex weather and the snow hit all across the Midwest … I am okay with dealing with it as long as no problems arise as a result of the cold weather – I have my fingers crossed. Yes, I am hoping to get some shots of the eagles too … now they say rain for Saturday and 40 degrees, but that won’t be enough to melt the ice floes on the river where the eagles go to fish. I was there a year ago yesterday looking for the eagles and about 2/3rds of the way down you’ll see the eagle on the ice floe … he is not very large in the picture, but he was quite far away and I had my small camera … it was a beautiful day: https://lindaschaubblog.net/2018/01/28/piers-and-parks-aplenty/
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That’s a great post Linda! I could definitely see the eagle. Nice swans too! After the brutal temps you’ve earned the right to complain about the weather! 😉
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Thanks Sabine – this year I have the DSLR and the long lens, so hopefully I’ll capture a picture of the eagle coming out of the tree for his fish. That was a beautiful morning … cold, but clear. It is bitter cold here and our Governor has shut down the State services again and no mail, schools/universities closed … going to wear a scarf over my mouth when I go out to run the car. It is -6 and real feel of -34 right now!
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Stay warm and safe!
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Thanks Sabine … right now it is -10 degrees, and -34 windchill. One more day, then more normal temps thankfully.
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Sorry to hear about your pipes and glad you got it fixed.
You must have made Grady, Parker and their friends day by showing up and lovingly giving them peanuts.
I am with you on the sounds of Winter songs full of cheer not matching up to real life experiences of having to deal with everyday life with extreme conditions.
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Yes, Zena – those songwriters were not the “everyday” men and women who must trudge out in the cold and snow to get to their jobs to make a living … I work from home now but I took the bus for decades … you also take public transportation and you know there’s no joy on a Winter day and the freezing rain or big fat snowflakes are coming down and soaking you as you wait and wait on that ride home.
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Oh yes, public transport is not the most fun place to be especially with all of the waiting around in all weathers. Lucky we have waterproof skin I suppose 😁
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Yes, that’s true – I will try to like rain more this year to not miss as many walks, but it will be tough. Maybe a late Spring or Summer rain I’ll tolerate, but a cold rain will send me packing back into the house for sure! Too many decades of bus travel.
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Lucky, you, Linda. You have a plumber who makes house calls at 10 p.m. on a Saturday night! That’s something. Glad you got the pipes under control. xo
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Thanks Pam – I was so grateful as we were having -8 windchill that night and the danger of frozen pipes was on my mind. He arrived at 9:55 p.m. like that was the most normal thing in the world to have your plumber arrive at that time. 🙂
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That’s awesome .👏
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Lol I agree- “Nipping at your nose” is quite the euphemism!! And I don’t laugh while going through snow storms either. Too funny. Hope nature gives ya a break soon! ❤ So sorry about the pipe- what a hassle! But on the bright side… Go Grady! woohoo!
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I’m glad the past week is in the rear-view mirror for sure. That Grady is a cutie … he doesn’t run, he hops up and down like a pogo stick – makes me laugh. One day I’m going to pick him up and bring him in the house as he is so darn cute … I am tempted but won’t, but tempted with these cute antics.
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lol, Oh, Grady! What a spunky little cutie.
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Good Lord you really are heading out no.matter the weather! Bravo…
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I’m trying to be a trooper and get out in this weather Michael, but it’s hard. The cold I can deal with, the ice not so much.
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Its crazy where u r i saw it on TV…and i did read about hell freezing over lol. Funny.
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Yes, that was a big event that day for Hell, Michigan – the media was there taking pictures of the “Welcome to Hell” sign dripping icicles.
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