Something very strange happened yesterday. It was sunny and we had a high temperature of 42°. That might not sound like much to you folks who live where it’s warm most of the time, but here it was truly amazing (and the first time it hit 40 degrees in something like 32 days). Much to my surprise, it turns out my driveway is actually made of some kind of black stuff that I think I remember seeing a long time ago. Blacktop or something, I think they call it.
Add to that the fact that it was the first Monday of the wrongfully maligned Daylight Saving Time and it made for some quality after work time. While the snow level has dropped significantly (some sun and a warm-ish breeze will do that), it’s still way too high around the dog containment fence, so they aren’t allowed out alone. Actually, it’s mostly just one of them that isn’t allowed out alone, because he has no qualms about hopping the fence, and he’s taught his little sister how to be his little accomplice.
So, out I have to go to stand there and follow them around while they bark at the deer. It would be an awful lot more enjoyable if I could drink beer (or, better yet, take a toke or two). But none of that’s allowed these days.
It appears we’ve set another record (one that proves that weather people have way too much time on their hands). This one is for – I kid you not – “stubborn” snow depth. Apparently we (or, rather, Syracuse, since out where I live we’re way beyond that) set a record for consecutive days with at least two feet of snow on the ground. As of yesterday, it was at 18 days (and counting).
Oh well, I guess I’d better get back to work.
Yesterday it was in the 40’s. The driveway has not appeared yet, but the ice is definitely melting. The roof has also lost most of its snow, though not all. It is the roof snow that melts and drips until the evening when it freezes into icicles. The deer have pawed (hoofed) their way through some snow to reveal a little grass. They are not as frantic as they were when they were in the front yard eating pine trees that they do not usually like to eat. Today they seem to be sticking to the woods so I assume they have found things to eat. Should I ever be able to walk across the backyard, I will throw the rest of the apples into the woods. I got them for the deer so they might as well enjoy them.
DEC has decided that shooting mute swans is a no no because they got so much push back from that plan. Now they propose to illiminate the swans by not allow their eggs to hatch. They say there are 2000+ swans in NY state and they have been here since the early 1800’s. I’m sure I will have a petition in my inbox soon telling them to let the swans be and I will be glad to sign it and all the other petitions that I’ll get.
Cuomo is very upset that his education plan of more testing, using test results as a greater part of teacher evaluations, merit pay and charter schools is not going over well with NYers. Not only are parents and teachers uoset, but the assembly just told him “no” as well. He does not seem to be running for president this year. That’s something I guess.
It has been raining today, hard. Thank goodness it isn’t snow. The rain is washing away some of the snow. if it doesn’t freeze, it will be a wonderful thing.
For our fans of the hats…
What elegance! I’d love to know their history.
There is a little more text here.
I think couple of them were in Boardwalk Empire.
I should challenge the wife to a fence post poundin’ contest.
It is amazing that people could survive slavery and not go nuts.
Pretty good question:
Why are white people expats when the rest of us are immigrants?
If anyone is interested, I found two thought-provoking articles regarding the OU/SAE debacle.
Some Question Why University Of Oklahoma Kicked Out Racist Students, But Not Violent One
A Teachable Moment: How OU failed Transformation 101
I was not aware that it is Ryland’s birthday.