Global warming has brought a bit more snow this year than we had last year at this time, although not an unusual amount of snow, historically. Thankfully, I have a snowblower. Before i bought the snowblower, we had hired someone to shovel. It turns out he came here from North Carolina or somewhere, and doesn't know the first thing about shoveling. He didn't shovel the driveway nearly wide enough to turn a car around, and he let too much snow accumulate on the ground. Since we have had a few partial thaws and even a rain since then, followed by freezes, the built-up snow includes layers of hard ice that a snowblower can't break through, so I have had to pick away at it little by little, using a shovel and an actual pick. Once I break the ice up a bit, the snowblower can take care of it. Those of you who live, or have lived, in snow country will understand that, but for the benefit of those who have not... He also piled up snow next to the house, to the right of the back door, I suppose because it was easiest for him, and because that's where the stuff that comes off the roof falls, but a pile that large this early in the season is not good, because I can't throw a shovel full of snow over it and the snowblower can't blow it over a pile that large. Actually, it was much larger, but I have been picking away at that too, I am hoping that I won't have trouble with the back part of my roof. That portion of the house isn't heated so there shouldn't be an ice damming problem, and it's fairly narrow so I'm thinking the weight stress won't be so bad. A few years ago, I could get up there and shovel it off. Last year, when I tried that I was very much afraid that I was going to be the one coming off. It too, has ice layers, so the roof rake is useless on it.
Ken's pics remind me of Chicago! Here in the arid Southwest (I actually do know where I am [sometimes]), elevation is everything. 180 miles from us, Flagstaff at 7000 ft. gets as much as 200 inches of snow annually. At our location, elevation 600 ft., the first snow in many decades fell on New Years Eve Day 2014; we woke up to find 1/2 inch blown against the back door. Our front yard: The back yard. Temp. was right around freezing, so the sight remained only about an hour! The tree is a Date Palm, planted in 2012, at about 1/4 that size. Today it reaches the eaves. Maybe it liked the snow!
We are expected to get 7 - 9 inches of Global Warming tonight and in the morning. Grocery stores are out of bread and milk.
@Shirley Martin My nephew in the Marine Corps lives in Jacksonville, (not FLA), and commutes daily, I think, to wherever the Base is. He yearns to return to San Diego area, but informs us three years in Japan come first. Frank
Here is a photo I've just taken in my back yard of my almost ripe apricots and my apple trees ..yes trees because I have two planted in the one hole due to limited room .. I find it A little strange at times members saying it's snowing .and we are boiling hot here Sorry it would only let me post one photo ,might have to,post other one in seperate post
Apple tree ,we have a fairly small back yard but we make the most of it by having several fruit trees I puke at the thought of eating fruit from China when we have plenty of fruit grown right here in South Australia
@Frank Sanoica South Aust is the main state in Australia for growing stone fruit ,and wine grapes We refer to it as "The Riverland " so called because the mighty river Murray runs through the area Australia would be pretty barren with out our Mighty Murray River https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riverland
I took a good look at my weather info I get each day in my email. I see plenty of areas that are just, well, like the guy on the weather said "pummeled". I see you guys sure are Ken. There was a time I might have been able to handle that, but glad I am out of any, extreme weather, now. I also realize people adapt, and so would I if I had to. I bet Spring is so appreciated where you live denise
Everyone can see this I hope If not, let me know, I may be able to figure out a better way to post it https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1190804437677380