December 22, 2014 Snow & Rain & Snow & Rain. . .

Friday' sun as seen from
 the south ridge.

Christmas decorations for the girls.

Friday 12/19. We received 1-1/2" of snow last night and the sun is breaking through the clouds this morning.  JB left for Down There about 9:30 to do his Christmas shopping, two loads of laundry and some other errands, which included mailing the last few Christmas cards that I had forgotten to take with me on Tuesday.  I really do need to make a check list of things to be sure to remember when going Down There.

Had to take the plow off Miss Kitty before he left, which is so much easier than putting it on.  Then he forgot to take the gas cans. . .

Great current issues of Countryside and BackWoods Home.  So many good articles.  And I always enjoy the end-of-the-year issues of Time and Entertainment Weekly, as I did with Life when I was growing up.

While JB was gone, I made the most of all the power flowing into our batteries.  After dishes, I vacuumed very thoroughly.  Then I actually dusted - my Christmas/New Year's cleaning.  With that all done, I finished decorating and put out the gifts.

On our morning walk, the trees wept with joy as the sun began to melt the heavy snow and rime on their branches.  I checked the alfalfa pan up on the east slope and it was completely empty.  So glad, as that obviously means the deer have found it.  Filled it back up and I have enough in the bag for one more fill.  The sun was also melting the snow on our roof, causing it to slide off in a thunderous manner most of the morning.

With the laundry and everything else, it was a long day for JB.  He arrived home just as the dogs and I were on our afternoon walk at 3:30 pm.

Saturday 12/20. It was 32 and snowing big, fluffy flakes when we got up.  We had received 4-1/2" by 9:30 am.  The flakes became smaller but continued to fall all day.

I had nice, long chats with Randy and Nene this morning while drinking my coffee.

After breakfast we put the plow back on Miss Kitty and JB plowed our drive up to and around the south ridge.  Then he used the snow blower to clear paths around the house.  Dinga swallows so much snow while trying to catch it all that she has to pee every 15 minutes for a couple hours afterwards.  While he was using Dinga's favorite toy, I decorated the girls' home.

JB came in for a rest and then plowed our road all the way down to the main canyon road.  We had another inch of snow by 3:30 pm and then it stopped for a while, and . . . wait for it. . .the fog moved in.

I fixed moose stew for dinner and just as it was almost time to dish up, the wind picked up and rain began to fall.  We had gusts up to 23 mph most of the night and received more than an inch of rain.

Sunday 12/21.  Last night was one of those nights that I woke up just after midnight with no inclination to go back to sleep.  An hour of cocoa, sudoku and just enjoying the Christmas ambiance did the trick, making my eyelids heavy.

It was 33 and overcast when JB awoke at 7:00 am.  Where he had used the snow blower yesterday, the paths were dark and slushy.  This cycle of snow then rain then more snow then more rain is really beginning to suck!  In talking with Nene yesterday, we agreed that she would keep the rain on her side of the mountains and we would keep the snow on ours.  I think I owe her some snow.

The wind blew in more rain mid morning that was often mixed with snow.  We must have been right at the lowest snow level.  It was windy all day, but we were on the south edge of the storm and the rain had moved off to the northeast by noon.  The sun was able to shine off and on as clouds blew past, and our high was in the high 30's (our weather machine is stuck on 33).

We swept off what was left of the snow on the hen-house roof, then rolled the tarp completely up.  Probably should have done that in October.  Now the girls will get all the available light as long as we keep the snow off at least half of the roof.  I hope this helps with the egg laying, because we have not received any eggs for about a week now.

I had to clear out both main drainage "ditches" of the slush and let those rivers flow.  One goes down the driveway and the other off the side of the west ridge.

Well, today is the shortest day of the year, and now we can begin our journey back to the light and the longest day of the year.

We have been using candles (mostly wax, but some battery) in the evening so we don't have to use any electricity til we want to watch TV around 7:00 pm, after our evening chat on the radio with Larry and Elsie.  We are on our fourth night of the fourth season of Rizzoli & Isles.  Such an entertaining series!

Tonight I added more candles and it was so beautiful with all the Christmas decorations.

Monday 12/22. It is a breezy 33 this morning with clear skies.  As I sit here in the loft, I am watching the dawn arrive on the snow-covered mountains.  Absolutely stunning!  No better way to start the morning.

Thought for the day: Be comforted in the fact that the ache in your heart and and confusion in your soul means that you are still alive, still human, and still open to the beauty of the world. Paul Harding