Snow and Ice
last update: 01/29 @ 11:57

Last Sunday we got dumped on. I didn’t measure but I esitmate about 6 inches of snow then maybe a quarter inch of sleet, freezing rain and ice.

This was the view when I work up Sunday morning.

That was all snow and not too bad to shovel; though there was a fair amount.

As I was making a second pass shoveling, I felt the sleet falling and hoped that would be short lived.

Fortunately, Sarah decided to stay an extra day with Michelle in Long Island. They stretched out the Michelle’s birthday celebration for another day.

I shoveled and hacked at the ice a bit on Monday and made some progress. But in some spots, the solid ice is just too thick to really make an impact.

I did consider getting a bigger hammer — I thought the firewood splitting maul would work well — but I worried about the concrete and brick underneath the ice.

And I discovered a new injury: I managed to bruise the bottom of my foot by stomping on the shovel so much to break up the ice. It’s not painful but is a bit swollen, which makes walking and standing feel like there is something under my foot.

Sarah made it home Monday evening, reporting the roads were fine pretty much the whole way to the beltway. That’s as far north as the ice got.

We hacked out a parking place for her and then enjoyed beef stew (my other Monday project) in our cozy home.

The forecast says highs in the 20s for the next several days, maybe another round of snow (I really hope no ice) this weekend and then “warming” to the mid 30s next week.

In the meantime, I felt for the birds and refilled our feeder.

Got out the sleds…
last update: 01/06 @ 17:41

We’re likely to be down to one after this season. This green one is going strong; our red/orange boogie-board style is showing it’s age, sadly.

This one is clearly much faster and tracks further.

And, as you see from Sarah’s expression, is really fun!

Snowy Day
last update: 01/06 @ 11:57

We’re in a little bit of a lull in today’s snow.

But it’s the most we’ve had in years already.

I’m sorry Robert’s now here to enjoy it.

Sarah and I have date to go sledding later this afternoon.

Snow (delayed post)
last update: 01/11 @ 22:47

We had a great heavy, big (for us) snowstorm last week.

Unfortunately, it came on the heals of the holiday break.

So while I walked in to the (closed) office, Robert got to get out the sleds and enjoy the snow.

He also took on the lion’s share of clearing the sidewalk and car.

I wish I’d been able to join in the sledding, but “Closed” has a new meaning in the Telework age. In the federal space, weather events can close access to the buildings, but you’re still expected to telework if you can.

While I could, I’m more productive in the office and had that option (even though we were closed). So, after two weeks off, I went in and missed on the sledding. (I did get to join him and Ian on a hill in Seattle while we were there.)

Sarah, who took that photo, split her time between telework and some snow enjoyment.

Between that snow, and a refreeze and second, smaller snow, Robert’s holiday break grew by a week — but he did have some on-line classes to pay attention to.

He’s happy to be back in school, in person now. And I expect, Will, who joined him on the slopes, agrees.

White Christmas in Seattle
last update: 12/29 @ 19:35

Now it’s just ice
last update: 02/13 @ 23:24

This weekend has been icy…

The snow melted, it warmed up a bit for a few days and then…

The temps dropped and we got freezing rain, sleet and a fair amount of ice.

Fortunately, so far, not enough to take out power for us.

SNOW!
last update: 01/31 @ 13:31

It seems like it’s been years since we’ve had any snow; or at least more than a dusting. Actually, only 709 days — which is pretty close to two years.

There is enough snow for Sarah and Robert to finally use the ducky snow mold from two Christmases ago. Seems to work pretty well.

But I’m not sure the hungry and chilly birds really appreciate the full artist merit of a ducky taking up space on their feeder…

Even a bit of snow!
last update: 12/25 @ 13:02

Conversational, but snow none the less!

(And yesterday’s high was 60 degrees.)

Sarah got the prize for largest box this year (5MB gif).

You’ll have to ask her what was carefully packed inside.

Robert got a pretty big box too!!!

We’ll see how long this keeps him busy.

Just in case, we added a couple leaves to the table so we can still eat there if he’s not finished with Mos Eisley by dinner time.

Interesting for this Lego set, there are multiple bags with the same number. While 18 was the largest number, there are closer to 30 bags of pieces to put together.

Real Snow!!!
last update: 01/13 @ 12:54

A bit over six inches on the ground and they are calling for maybe another four to six by Monday morning.

We took our new, across the street neighbors over to the Masonic Temple for the sledding hill.

A great time was had by all (well, all but those who hit a tree on the way down — we’re told they are OK).

Robert even helped to build up the jump that always appears when the sledding starts…

A spot of color
last update: 01/13 @ 12:50

We have a couple cardinals in the neighborhood. This guy really stands out on a snowy day.

Snow and Ice
last update: 03/15 @ 21:38

We have been watching Earth 2 and Spy Animals over the last week or so. Both had sections on penguins and their fun mode of transportation (at least downhill).

Interesting Juxtaposition…
last update: 02/03 @ 19:57

Sarah and Robert had a blast and now it may be hard to keep him off the slopes.

More sledding
last update: 01/26 @ 20:58

This time, we were a bit further up King St. because the moguls were just too painful to sled on where we were Sunday.

There are still come moguls and this jump, but it was much less bumpy.

After some air time, Robert talked Sarah into sharing a sled.

Sometimes on the smoother side of the run, sometimes, right over this bottom jump.

The sun was out and it was plenty warm today. While there was a lot of melting (and the sledding was a bit slower), we still have a lot of snow around here.

Sledding
last update: 01/24 @ 17:27

Sarah and Robert went over to the Masonic Memorial this morning to check the slopes.

Then we all went over this afternoon.

As usual, it was great fun.

We even ran into neighbors so we could trade off sleds and have a Sunset Drive race.

Check out the dragon spikes Robert has been sporting all day…

In my opinion, the tube won for most fun (largely because it is totally out of control.

The longer orange slide may be the fastest.

And our old standby green sled wins for best control — which is still not much.

That’s Sarah putting on the breaks to avoid the tree I was hiding behind.

School has been called for tomorrow, we’re waiting to see what Sarah and I are supposed to do. We walked home on a side street that has not seen a plow this year — those folks are not getting out anytime soon.

That’s my snow swimming style…

King Street
last update: 01/23 @ 14:26

Normally, that does not mean walk right down the middle of the street.

But today, that was clearly the thing to do.

Unless you had skis.

There were a few cars out — one that Robert and I helped push to get going. And a few more pedestrians.

And even a couple places open for business — but not many.

Then, on our way back up the street, they were adding to the mound again.

As Sarah said, they’re likely some cold fishes — we’re guessing they are dumping the snow into the river.

With plowing and shoveling, this snowman was almost prefab. We stacked him up and Robert gave him a smiley face.

It feels really good to be back inside. Walking into the wind was tough, even with goggles.

The fruit of the labors
last update: 01/23 @ 11:48

Gotta compare this to: 2010.

…and continues
last update: 01/23 @ 10:51

Sarah and Robert measured 15 inches so far. It’s still coming down and blowing around.

We did get one car dug out, but have no plans to take it anywhere — thank you Alexandria for plowing our street in case we did net to get out.

I anticipate some sledding a bit later today…

And maybe some more sidewalk clearing as well

And so it begins…
last update: 01/22 @ 15:38

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