Well, Amy Dixon…..I can easily say I did not slip once during my many hours outside today. Cuz most of the time, I was trudging thru snow up to my knees or higher. Aaack! WIND woke me at 6 AM. I was horrified to peek out a window and see blizzard conditions. WHAT? But…but….local weather did not think it would be in our area. Way over there, it said. 😮 The trees were ….hard to describe cuz they were ‘scrambling’. Big movement in all directions. Least it shook the snow off so we didn’t have that heaviness threaten electric lines.
By 9 AM when I went out to care for animals, the BLIZZARD WIND had cut back to a more normal STRONG WIND with heavy snowfall. That force earlier might have been the odd way wind always hits this valley. But the timing was painful..beginning my time alone. DH HAD to get some stuff done on computer before leaving…printing his ticket and car rental, for one. Other stuff. No way he’s going to get a couple more bales of hay in this stuff.
So I went solo…with large dog to take care of animals. Driveway is a MASS of white…hard to see where the drainage ditch is on one side. I put water container [for poultry] in sled and dragged it downhill. Container slid to front and dug into the snow all the way down. But it did make a good track to help our snowplow guy….cuz I stayed right on the line of the berm/trench. I could feel it with my boot. I knew he’s figure out why I left him this indicator. We’ve both been professional drivers.
Once down in barnyard, the full effect of wind and the DRIFTS it creates down there, was evident. And ….had to protect dog while it took me 4X as long to finish. Put an old nylon padded horse blanket down for her to lay on. But I closed one side of it into the old van door to keep the wind from hitting her…and the blanket from blowing away. She was snug and sat watching me….she guards me.
Waded thru really deep drifts to reach poultry – as always when we have heavy wind from that direction. THANKFUL the severe wind had slacked! Got them set with more bedding, food [both are kept in their house] and the water I’d lugged down for them – warm. Closed them up….no going out to play today. Light stays on to increase their warmth.
Wading down and up to reach hay-eaters. They’d taken shelter in the shed or on lee sides. The tarp covering the opening to the hay storage had ripped open…drat! I had to get snow off some tack and the few bales I have. It’s a dry snow so not hard…just more labor. Handed out flakes of hay in the protected areas. Was pleased to see my oldest horse [always has been a skinny, nasty thing!] was not shivering. Was calm and fine. That’s a relief cuz you just cannot keep a horse blanket on her. She ends up twisting it around and walking on it. {roll eyes} Not my favorite critter but still needs best care possible.
Secured the hay shed tarp more securely this time……the old saying about ‘closing the barn door after the incident’ ? I really should have believed my altimeter. [that’s the very-high-altitude alternative to a barometer…cuz they don’t work in thin air] It read the DROP in barometric pressure yesterday! A deeper drop than I usually see. Ah well, at least the system was moving thru quickly. Had sunshine later in afternoon. Driveway is plowed, as well as it can be. Both vehicles are free of snow ice in all the important places. Like windshields.
DH left with his ride and I’m expecting to hear he’s reached the destination airport any minute now. [he just called] He still has a drive to get to his sister’s house. He got some rest on the first plane. And some food while waiting for the second. Dog and I took a second trip down tonite and everyone was fine…wanted food again. Didn’t have to walk this time. \0/
Resting…took shower…eating….and will sleep and do it again tomorrow. Without the blizzard/snowfall part. I do have to drive into the village to mail some business things for DH…he didn’t get a chance this morning…..for some reason. But it’s a short trip and dog will come too. I know the roads are plowed already.
I’m calling our elderlies when I go out and when I’m safe back inside for this duration. If I don’t call them back….and I can get cordless phone service in a couple location in barnyard to say I’m just delayed….but they can call neighbors or…ask for a ‘wellness check’ from county deputies. It’s the only back-up we could think of. Have never had to use it yet….don’t plan to start now. But my life is often unusual and I’ve learned I’m not able to predict anything. LOL
OldMtWoman G’nite all