After the Snow and Ice

So naturally, right after my last post, I lost TV cable and Internet and did not get back until yesterday about 10:30pm.  So here is my update, no pretty pictures this time as it just isn't pretty out there!

Things did not start to really thaw until late Friday and even today, Sunday, there is still lots of snow on unpaved ground.  I took trips to the library on Saturday and to/from church today.  Its is a mess out there -- lots of trees topped or with broken branches, a neighbor lost two trees in front, another neighbor had quite a little forest paradise in her backyard -- she lost half of it. All of roads I was on are littered with branches and bows, fallen trees pulled off to the side.  Power is still out northeast of me in places.  A friend with power called to make sure I had warm place -- she lost a couple of her very old, gorgeous rhododendrons.  Thankfully, the forecasted rain was delayed and the wind milder.  So now as to clean up.  Already done is the branch pickup; after the snow melts there will be raking.  And probably there will be more damage discovered.  Ah, home ownership!  Always something to do! 

But all in all, I do feel very fortunate.  All I have to complain about was a terrible case of cabin fever!

Icy Day

Awoke to freezing rain that coated the driveway with at least a 1/2" of ice by 7am so wisely stayed in.  After all, am good with entertaining myself.  Then the power went out around 8:30am.  At 10am I decided to crank up the wood stove that I use only when the power goes out -- had to chip the wood pile out from under snow and ice (note to self:  need different solution) and lug in.  Then I kept happy with my stack of library books.  Throughout the day, I kept hearing the crack of tree branches breaking and kept going to the windows to see where the sound was coming from.  My poor shrubs and thin trees are bent double from the coating of ice but no breakage yet.  Will have to check them out after the thaw.  And now it is snowing.  At least now I have power -- after 7 hours.

Still it is very pretty as you can see.

about 10:30am

a closer look at the ice on branches

icicles on eaves; trees and shrubs with ice on snow-covered branches

Snowy Day

A rare weather day kinda slows things down but so pretty!  But never fear - I have a pile of good books, chores to do, and I just enjoyed a bowl of "Holly Daze 11 1/2 Bean Soup" that I just made -- was sooo good.

About 8 inches snow, all but two from today