Winter Storm

Yesterday's storm for us wasn't as bad as it was in other places. We got about 4 or 5 inches of snow with a layer of sleet to top it off.

The birds were very active at the feeders despite getting pelleted by snow and sleet.

We had Gold Finches, Juncos, Sparrows, and Downy Woodpeckers visit.

Charlie and I took two walks to go out and explore the storm. In late afternoon, the township plow came through and cleared the road. Even though the winds were howling from the north, we were able to walk along the forest edge and stay protected.

I didn't envy the plow driver. Our township has over 70 miles of gravel roads to plow and care for. I can't imagine how difficult that job is. It was pretty funny as Charlie sat in the field and watched the truck do our dead end road.

Charlie, the Road Commissioner!

IF you are really bored during a snowstorm, you can look up your state's 511 site and click on cameras to watch traffic or snow plows. 

Oh that is where my package is! Delayed! 

I spoke with Olive yesterday evening. She said going to collect eggs at her place on the ridge was like an Artic Expedition with the fierce winds and blowing snow.

Down here we stayed pretty cozy but could hear the winds howling on the ridge above us. 

By late afternoon the freezing rain was getting with the program and I decided to get out one of my deer skulls and begin prepping it for a paint project. Seems that I am always getting assistance from some of my Little People friends.

By morning I was pleased to see my hired 'crew' working.

The heater saga continues and we've gone 4 days with two Space Heaters keeping us warm. 608 Dan did give us a call to let us know he ordered the blower motor for the fan. He sent us an quote for the Mini Splits also.

Rich was still a bit on the fence regarding that so Olive and Nathan asked if we'd come up for supper one evening and they could show Rich how a Mini Split works and what they think about it in their home.

This is turning out to be a rather expensive February for us, however that is the way things go.

At least we never lost power and we still have a warm house. 

Couldn't sleep

And it all is another blogger's fault. 
I'm laughing because really it isn't anyone's fault.

But I woke up suddenly and thought: What if the Heater quits all of a sudden?

So I sat up and went out to the living room to listen to the heater. We have a cabin heater for our tiny cottage. It does just fine. But I was obsessed with the thought of it not working. 

I decided to read a book on my Kindle.
Then I got to thinking about Moss and Lichen and spring and summer.
So I started a search on books about Lichen and Moss. Identification guides.

...and then there was this Grumpy Dragon:

I decided to stop looking at things. This was no good!

I gathered some blankets and laid on the loveseat with Charlie and started to drift off. I checked the outside temps. -10 with a wind from the North. The mules were playing and chasing each other in the pasture. Must have needed to warm up a bit.

Guess what? The heater worked even when I wasn't watching it.

Behold the Heater!

The new heater was delivered 3 weeks ago. We unboxed it and hubby admired it for a few days at it sat silently in its box.

Why not?
The day temps were in the 80's and it was warm out!

We walked around the heater in the living room, stepped around it...hubby actually unpacked it and got out the instructions.

And there it sat.
And sat.

Hubby read the instructions and has been easing his way into this job.

He's done this before. 

But I think there is a certain amount of admiring to do that has to be done before you can actually install this thing. I think it says that in the instruction booklet. 

"Let heater sit on the floor and walk around it for at least 30 days or until the wife gets angry...or it gets cold outside and the heater becomes necessary. Then said parties will be more appreciative of said heater."

Hmmm. That means that temperatures of 40 degrees at night and day time temperatures of...60 will make the house feel pretty cool inside.
However I must say that with the new siding and insulation the house stays fairly temperate.

Though last night when we went to bed the temperature was 59 degrees in the house.

I stared hard and long at the heater. I even knelt next to it and begged it to warm me up.

Today I'm going to build a shrine around it and gather wood to make a campfire on the new kitchen floor if I get cold.

Hint.
Sweet hubby.
Time to install the heater!