freezing – Site Title

The Snow Storm!

Photo by Malcolm Gillanders on Pexels.com

Last year, we didn’t have much snow and it left us with wanting for more. This year, it decided to make up for all the years that gave us little or no snow! The weather forecast has been fluctuating, sometimes with snow only up south and then predictions of snow for days on end. Well, they changed it yesterday and it DUMPED on us today!

A winter wonderland of sorts greeted my eyes this morning as I looked out the kitchen window and Chachi, the cat, couldn’t believe his eyes either. He looked back at me as if to say, “What is that mommy? It is pretty.” Yes, pretty it is. The rooftops were covered in white, the trees look gorgeous dressed in white and the streets hardly visible through the cover of snow. It also meant time to get out there after breakfast and get working to clear the snow and salt the sidewalk! Not something I look forward to but it’s a must around here or rather it is expected that you do your part.

Just as I was getting dressed after breakfast, I took a glance at the computer and it said, 7 cm of snow expected in 4 hours! This is going to be a nightmare situation. Then I heard the sound of the shovel working hard and glancing out the window, I noticed my neighbor clearing the snow away in front of my house as well. What a nice guy! Now, I just have to clear the snow towards the side of the house which will be a heavy duty job as well.

I tried using the leaf blower to clear the snow away but no chance, it wasn’t going to budge. It had worked so well with light snow but it doesn’t work with a massive amount of snow it seems. So, I did the best I could. Came back in and got the salt and went back out and started sprinkling it on the snow hoping it will melt away. The guy across the street had a big snow shovel and he was having a hard time with it. Our eyes met and I said, “This is hard work!” He nodded, smiled, and said, “I no speak German.” Too bad, he could have helped me with my sidewalk as well!

Walking back into the house I heard the phone ringing. It was my girlfriend who wanted to know if I needed help with clearing the snow. My eyes lit up. Here was the help I was waiting for. I told her about the snow fiasco and she laughed. So, she offered to come by later and help me with it.

It is going to be needed as I am glancing out the window writing this and more snow is coming down. Folks, it looks beautiful out there but along with the beauty comes the unsavory stuff but then so is life, you take the good with the bad.

Oh, before I forget, the weather forecast is predicting that this snow storm is planning to stay for a few days!

Have an amazing day.

Ellie

It is a name that is sweet and unassuming but she is packing a punch! Winter storm Ellie has stomped in wearing her winter boots and holding most of Germany hostage. The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued an official warning and upped it to “Red Warning Level: Storm “Ellie” brings train cancellations, black ice and extreme risk of falls,” add up to ten centimeters of fresh snow, freezing rain, and strong gusts of wind and you know what Ellie is about, not as sweet as her name implies.

“Experts are warning of chaos on the roads as well as dangerous conditions on the highways. The north and east of Germany will be particularly affected with temperatures dropping to minus six degrees in persistent frost.”

Looking out my window, I see that strong gusts of wind are at play bending the willow tree in the neighbor’s garden like it was nothing! No snow yet but it is predicted for this evening and should stay till tomorrow. This means I will be on snow duty again, snow shovel in one hand and a bowl of salt in the other! Honestly, I am getting a little tired of it but as I was reminded by a neighbor, “It is winter.” Yes, it is.

Last year, we had very little snow but this year it is making up for it. Not only that, it is adding freezing rain and ice to the mixture. Chachi, the cat has been complaining about his TV acting up all the time! He doesn’t understand what is going on outside. Sometimes it is white outside and at other times, the wind is howling like a banshee. He has decided to leave it alone and has found refuge in his basket. Sleeping most of the day is the norm now.

I’m trying to keep myself occupied and I am grateful that I don’t have to be out in this weather, however, it is getting old and I want “Ellie” out of here as soon as possible!

Snowed In!

“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own.” Charles Dickens

The weather forecasters have been predicting bad weather and it’s finally here. After a day or two of freezing rain mixed in with snow, heavy snowfall has moved in! Yes folks, it’s a white world outside covered in about 3 inches of snow and it looks absolutely gorgeous if not for the work involved.

I was supposed to meet a friend for breakfast this morning, the first outing of the new year but had to cancel quickly. The streets were covered in snow and ice and more was coming down so I decided against it. No point taking the risk of slipping and falling.

Half an hour ago, I bundled up ready to go out there to tackle the tedious job of clearing the sidewalk of snow and ice and salting it as well. Then a lightbulb went on in that busy mind of mine and I decided to use the leaf blower instead. It was a fantastic idea because it blew the snow to the side effortlessly and within 10 minutes I had everything cleared, and salted. It was a great buy and I am sure it will come in handy when more snow decides to roll in and keep us company. I’m not complaining, I LOVE snow! The trees are looking fantastic covered in white as well and I bet the fields will be a sight to behold. However, I am staying indoors today. Not taking the risk of slipping, falling, and hurting myself.

A friend just told me that they are snowed in as well. He lives about three hours away, so it seems like a major snowstorm has moved in. Hmm….last year, we had very little snow so I guess it is making up for it this year! It can stay for a while but NOT too long!

Have an amazing day.