Ha, Don, that reminds me of an "incident" I had 3-4 years ago. Some might get a chuckle from it now (as I do) but at the time I wasn't chuckling. But I lucked out and did NOT break my back. So Don, how are you surviving with a messed up back? Constant pain? Cannot do a lot of things you used to do? I was cleaning my chimney in December as I do every year. It gets a bit plugged from the wood by then, and I need to clear it out before burning coal. Living down in this protected hole one gets used to not having any wind. As an example: I have 3 garbage cans outside, never once have any of them blown over. When the wind comes from the southeast (rare) I will get puffs, but never anything steady. So one tends to ignore it. It was about 45° out, overcast, and I had on a long-sleeved shirt with a hooded sweatshirt over that and a knit hat. Plenty good for the time I was to be out. I had my tools and a small LED flashlight. It was probably about 3:30 or so and the daylight was already starting to fade. So I'm up there a while and I suddenly heard this loud metallic rattling and crash -- my aluminum extension ladder had blown down. It took a moment for me to absorb the situation. The wind was puffy, but I ignored the rarity as usual. Red arrow points to chimney. Me on peak of roof (hint: that's not really me) Once I absorbed what had happened I started to panic a bit. There was no way to get down without at least breaking a leg or possibly my back or neck. Getting down to roof "A" would be easy but wouldn't help much. There are no houses in sight (it's all woods) although the nearest is only about 1,000 feet away. We're all down here in a creek valley and sound travels unbelievably well. So I started yelling "HELP!" up and down the valley. Nobody is sitting outside this time of year, mowing their lawn, or anything else so I realized I was going to have to be real lucky for anyone to hear me. As the clock reached 4:00 and later dusk started to descend. Now I'm really starting to panic because I couldn't stay up there all night the way I was dressed. I was starting to get hoarse from yelling. Darkness was not far away, and suddenly I saw headlights coming over the hill. I took my small flashlight and started waving it back and forth, hoping he would see it. It was my neighbor's boyfriend's truck, he was coming home from work. But he apparently didn't see me cuz he didn't stop or even slow down. I knew that when the leaves are down I can see his headlights when he backed into their driveway. So I waited for that, and when he shut his lights off I started screaming at the top of my lungs. Nothing happened. Then after the longest couple of minutes in my life I saw the headlights come on again. He started coming my way. When he got close enough I started waving the flashlight again wildly. The truck stopped! His GF jumped out and started walking down the driveway. I'm shouting, waving my arms, so happy that it was over. He joined her in a moment and they thought I was hurt. "Ha, no, I'm fine, just please put my ladder back up." She was outside when he parked at home and heard me yelling and that triggered it. So I bought them a big box of candy and a bottle of wine for Christmas. All's well that ends well, although they broke up and he is gone. Back to the picture: That night, laying in bed, it suddenly hit me how I could have gotten down without getting hurt. Getting down to roof "A" would be easy, and from there I could have slid on my belly over the gutter and onto the picnic table "B." Since then, I take my phone with me, and also put a stepladder up on the picnic table just in case. Wow, sorry for the crazy long post. If nobody gets through it, I understand. I got diarrhea of the fingers this morning.
We have a similar system in the smaller villages in the bush. It wouldn't work where I live as there is too much distance to the power plants. We can't cut trees here in large amounts because the Clinton Administration and the environmentalists banned a lot of logging here. We have to wait for the summer wildfires to clear the trees. Folks in the Lower 48 want Alaska to be the largest National Park.
There is a hydrant by one of the buildings. But, mostly I cheat. I fill cat litter jugs with water and drive it over a few times a day. Hot water in the winter. This year I am down to only sheep, chickens, rabbits and barn cat. The small bowls freeze easily. But hot water thaws them out making them drinkable most of the time. Deep snow drifts make me have to leave the car and walk in the jugs.
It's been warm today, in the 60s. I don't understand that, either. I didn't drive yesterday and I bought something that had the word "sustainable" on the package, so that should have brought the global warming temperatures down. I guess you just can't trust the science anymore.
Today is probaly the last good beach day till spring.I thought of going but hubby isn't in for it and said you want to take a 2 hour trip in pain,but I'll be in pain here too and I can bring ice. Guess the weaher will be ok another day though. We are to have a day or so of rain then cooling off for nice fall weather. Tody will be in the high 80s. tonight in the high 50s.
I finally had a frost this morning, first of the season. We're a week or two behind. Had almost 3" of rain Tuesday then the skies cleared out yesterday, and the temp dropped overnight. Beautiful today, clear skies and mid-50s.
we've had the fireplace going in morning for a month....will be all day today....cold...raining.... we sold our house about 6 years ago and got a single mobile home..small...well insulated.... no power bill over $20 ...for 3 winter months... if...the stacks of wood hold out
We are in the 50’s here in northern Alabama, too; but supposed to warm up into the 60’s. I am doubtful of that happening. Tomorrow and through the weekend, the highs are only going to be in the 50’s, and next week we have nights down in the 30’s, almost to freezing. Time to bring in the outside potted plants before we have the fall frost. Today is one of the ice-cold rainy days. We have been trying to decide whether to go to the fitness center today, but the next few days will be much colder, so we are going to try it and see. Hopefully, the hot tub is open !
15 F. here this morning, but almost clear. I have a fire going in the shed as one of my sons and his family are supposed to arrive in a little while to help me finish the sheetrock on the ceiling.
Next week all nights will be a hard freeze. Daughter is going to make sense of the last of the garden but both of our tillers are down. Will probably just cover everything in bad hay. She is not sure if the winter squash still in the garden froze already. The kale looks lovely. Like short palm trees.