Rain Rain Go Away

Took this picture and video, click link below, of Sinking Creek in Afton this past Saturday afternoon -

This creek runs parallel to Ripley Island Road and is usually a slow running and winding stream. However, with all the heavy rains we been having, this creek came alive, and overflowed its banks and washed out and over the roads in several spots!

Click link below -

Roaring Sinking Creek

The Nolichucky river was roaring too and running super high -

This is an interesting pic below. It looks like the field of corn is now in the river, the water had risen so high -

Fortunately, it seems the water levels receded fairly quickly once the rains stop but it’s left behind quite a bit of damage once you get off the beaten path.

My First Tennessee Snowstorm

I did it!  I survived my first Tennessee snowstorm ❅❆❄!

It was tough; touch and go there for a little while.

The grounds were slick, treacherous, actually. I asked to be picked up because it was so bad but my request was denied and I was forced to walk.  Although, it's a short walk next door to my cousins house, I slipped and nearly fell several times, it was that bad, but eventually made it.

Having gone through this storm and survived, I feel I'm now better prepared for the next one.

(Not) White Out Conditions!

So, Ms. Emma's pre-k class was delayed this morning here in East Tennessee because of the snow.

Hmmmm 🤔 -

I best run to the market ASAP before it gets worse and pick up the essentials, e.g. milk, eggs and bread.  Can't be too sure how long this will last. Fingers crossed 🤞 we don't lose power!

Oh, the humanity!

😂😂😂😂

Look Both Ways Before Crossing

While out on my route this morning delivering mail, and driving from one location to another, I noticed this awesome creature making it's way from the safety of the sidewalk and heading out onto the street!

I immediately turned around and chased it into the underbrush and hopefully back into the water!

There is no way this big Northern Water snake would have made it across the street.  There's no doubt it would have been run over.

We had a nor'easter around these part the last 24 hours or so and it dumped upwards of 7" in some locations!

Most of the local streams and rivers and ponds are above their banks and with the water roaring in torrent's.  I suspect this BIG beauty was collateral damage and likely washed away or washed out of it's home as a result.  Also, the temps have dropped considerably this past week hovering in the 40's at night and maybe the 50s to low 60s during the day - chilly and raw.  Perhaps, this snake was simply drawn to the warm pavement of the sidewalk.

Whatever the reason for it venturing out, I'm VERY happy I came upon it first and chased it off to safety.

Now, back to delivering mail...

I Survived The First Ever Chicago Dust Storm!

To get to the Cubs game on Friday afternoon, we walked from the house about a mile to the train station.  Took the train 3-stop, then hopped on a bus, which brought us close to Wrigley and then walked the rest of the way.  Other than the train and bus being jam packed with fans also making their way to the game, it wasn't a bad experience.

Of course we did the reverse heading back home.  We stopped at a sports pub a couple blocks from Wrigley, had a couple wobbly pops and watched the crowds walk on by.  Our plan was to stop at Moretti's Ristorante & Pizzeria restaurant for diner, which was located right across the street from the train depot.

As we were riding the train, all passenger cell phones started beeping with an "Emergency Alert", even mine, with a "DUST STORM WARNING"!  Yes, a first ever, rare dust storm warning for the city of Chicago -

The timing couldn't have been any better, as we got off the train shortly after the warning. The wind started to really pick up as we were walking towards the restaurant, and as we entered the front doorway, the metal valet stand literally blew over with a very LOAD crash -

A homemade chips and French dip appetizer, a 14" "House Favorite" Italian sausage, green pepper, pepperoni and onion pizza and a couple beers later we exited the restaurant stuffed to a windy light rain for a nice walk home. Avoiding getting stuck in the dust storm itself.

Here is a pic of what the downtown Chicago looked like at one point - 

A exciting way to end an absolutely perfect day spent with my daughter!

Being Lazy Doesn't Pay...

The same windstorm we had throughout the day yesterday claimed the neighbors pool, flipped it right over!

Now, understand that my neighbors appear to be very lazy and most definitely not the outdoorsy type, nor big on doing typical lawn care, yard maintenance nor pool maintenance.

The pool survived last winter, which surprised me. This past fall it appeared that they drained the pool but did not winterize it and certainly opted to NOT even bother to cover it for some reason, so I'm not surprised it ended up like this.

It's unfortunate really but comical at the same time. 

You know the ole saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"...

Leaning Over

Had a bit of excitement there this afternoon, a BIG dead tree blew over onto the electrical wires and dangling over the roadway!

It's been incredibly windy today, with super strong gusts and this tree fell victim to it all.

Surprisingly, we never lost power or any services, and truth be told it's been a nice several hours with NO vehicle traffic speeding up and down the street since it's been closed.

All in all a pretty good response to get this resolved.

I'm "Knot" Kidding...

So, the good news is the knot I've had in the center of my back for over a week now no longer bothers me...as much!  Unfortunately, that pain has been replaced with a total body, head to toe ache, after spending a couple of hours yesterday shoveling the incredibly heavy wet snow!

The majority of snow fell over night Saturday, then turned to rain for most of the day on Sunday.  Most of yesterday stayed just above freezing but the temperatures dropped overnight back into the twenties, which has frozen everything into solid blocks and sheets of ice, see pic below taken this AM!

The lazy folks, several of my neighbors fall into this category, who neglected to get out to clear the snow from driveways, walkways, stairs and their vehicles are gonna be sorry, as the temperatures are predicted to stay below freezing for most of this week.

My neighbor plows my driveway whenever it snows, which I appreciate immensely!  However, I still need to get out there to clear the edges that the plow doesn't get, clear the walkway, back deck and stairs.  I also shovel a path to my pool house and make sure to clear the door of snow, just in case I need to get in there for some reason.  I also shovel out the fire hydrant that is just across the street.

It's times like these that I'm SO thankful for my whirlpool tub, to help ease the aches and pains!

#Blessed

First Snow of 2022

Here are several pictures of our first snow storm of the season and year!

Here in Franklin, we got about 12"!  

It was a quick moving storm, so fortunately it didn't linger.  Also, the 12" is fluffy light snow, so not too bad for the first of the year.

Always so peaceful and calm before all the mutants stir and venture out to ruin it all...

And It's Begun...

 The snow has started falling here in Franklin around 4:00ish -

Let's see what Mother Nature has in store for us -

Hoping not too bad only because,and it's Murphy's Law, I have a doctors appointment in Needham at 9:00AM tomorrow, UGH!

A Frigid Swim

Another wintry picture from yesterdays snowstorm - our pool

Will Wonders Never Cease?!

Good thing I was prepared for this otherwise I'm fairly certain I would have had the BIG one!

Emilie actually shoveled our back deck today!  And all on her own too, without being asked or told.

Thank you Emilie!!

The Snow's A Glow

A pretty cool early morning picture.  So quiet and peaceful.

Let It Snow...

Our March 3 into 4 snow storm.

Looks like Franklin got about 10" or so of heavy wet snow last night.  Perfect for making snowmen and breaking ones back to shovel.  We're in March now and with the longer days I'm hopeful this new white stuff won't last too long.

Nor'easter #3

IT'S OFFICIAL:  Blizzard confirmed in Boston!

Whiteout conditions at times!

Today's nor'easter could be all March snow records for our area!

Here's a little taste from Franklin -

Snow drifts piled high against our rear slider -

The snow has been blowing and gusting that most of the windows are covered making it difficult to get clean, clear pictures -

Trees and shrubs, already reeling from the last storm, are facing another round testing their flexibilities - 

Pools closed today -

The poor Dogwood tree looks more like a weeping cherry.  Hoping it bends and not breaks -

Initial snow falls sure a pretty -

Wreck-it Ralph coming to plow our driveway -

The snow pile at the end of the driveway can't get much taller -

Ok, I'm off to change and fire up the ole snowblower and clear the areas the plow couldn't reach.

UGH, Another Storm On The Way...

Here are a handful of storm pictures from the ole homestead -

We park the Explorer on the front lawn so it's not in the way when our neighbor comes to plow.  This gives him an unobstructed, straight shot down the driveway to push the snow, see below.  Most goes over the end without much effort, however, with all the snow we've received this is now a challenge.  As you can see the pile at the end of the driveway is now a mountain.

Here's Emilie and I making our way to the neighbors house to do some snow-blowing.  We have an agreement where he does the plowing of our driveways and follow up with the snow-blower to get at the nooks and crannies he can't do with the plow and do the cleaning up.  It's a great system and works out for both of us.

I found the plow buried fire hydrant.  Of course the snow in that area is the heavy, wet stuff so it's much more work to remove.  The snow-blower has a tougher time chomping through.

But as you can see we got her done.

We're bracing for another storm expected this Saturday into Sunday...

Let It Snow, Let It Snow Let It Snow

Snow covered windchime

Flipp'n town plow!  First real snow storm of the season and they've already knocked our mailbox over.  VERY frustrating to say the least, and we're not the only "victims", as other neighbors suffered the same fate.

Even Trixie-dog was struggling.  We need to take her outside to do he business via the basement when it snows.  She does not like to navigate the deck stairs when they're snow covered.

BIG Nor'easter heading are way!  Anticipated to begin tomorrow (Monday) evening.  Upwards of TWO FEET predicted, UGH!! 

Snow Covered Birdies!

Morning Dove

A couple of Junco's

A couple American Robin's

More bird pictures.  These were taken at the start of last weeks snow storm.  The Junco's were out and about bee-bopping and foraging.  They didn't seem to even notice the snow and how fast it was piling up.

You Make The Call...

 

Is Trixie dog:

 

a) Happily walking in the snow

b) Happily trudging and struggling through deep snow

c) Being dragged through deep snow wishing she was inside where it's warm and dry