First Damned Snow

[cossackjack]

My preferred temperature range is 60-75F & Relative Humidity 45-60%.

I revel in the snow & cold, & usually wear shorts down to 20F (unless its windy or snowing). I'll even hike through knee deep snow, or deeper using snowshoes, wearing gators & shorts.

My two large white Malamute-mix dogs love the cold & snow as well; we hang out on their doghouse steps down to -15F.
As I get older I have become more heat intolerant. Thankfully, the past 3 Summers have had no more than 4 days above 85F, & no days above 90F (& those days were miserable for me).
But, ther's a problem in my paradise. SWMBO likes mid-80's to 90's with similar humidity, so I cut 4-6 cords or firewood to keep the wood stove & fireplace burning (& some nights run the 60K BTU pellet stove). She also has a portable steamer chamber.

 

[wyfbane]

I love snow. But I agree with Cossack on the 60-75 range.
I know where this paradise exists. Since only Peck could afford to live there I don't mind spilling the beans. Monterey, California is paradise, weather-wise.
I was there for 19 months in the Army and I don't think it froze once. Never got above 85 either. It was magnificent.

 

[pappymac]

I really do know what snow is. I spent 6 years in Washington State and 28 months on an icebreaker that made two trips to Alaska and one trip to Antarctica. I was also stationed in New Jersey for 2 years and 4 years in New York City. There is a reason I retired in Louisiana. You can get out of the way of a hurricane.

 

[mso489]

I grew up in the Chicago area in the 1950's mostly when the winters were much colder. By January and February, you stopped waiting for spring. It was like the frozen tundra in the Soviet Union, and you assumed the Earth was forever after frozen. When spring finally came, it was like something abnormal was happening. In winter, you could get some exercise just by walking into town at twelve below. Maybe I exaggerate on hindsight, but I don't think so. The wind was called "The Hawk, the Almighty Hawk."

 

[pipestud]

Snow? What's that? All I know is that I dread the coming of winter down here in central Texas. Some nights are just flat bone chilling cold with the temperature dipping down to near freezing!

 

[deathmetal]

Snow?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0yGvypBwyA

 

[andvary]

I love the snow, although winter in the big city is a joke (a very sad, damp joke drenched in chemicals). I was born in February, that's probably the reason I love winter. Pity I won't be able to smoke outside when the temperature drops below zero. I'm too afraid for my pipes, even the cobs. Will eventually buy a Brylon pipe eventually, just to keep me "in shape".

 

[skraps]

I grew up in Buffalo, NY. There was a good chance we had snow by Halloween most years.
I will admit since moving to Philly 4 years ago, not having snow has been odd. Add to that, it has been a green Christmas in Buffalo for the last couple years.
Do I miss the snow... you betcha.

 

[davet]

Some nights are just flat bone chilling cold with the temperature dipping down to near freezing!

I feel bad for you :crying: This is -35 / -40 and that's not snow it's frost. We had six weeks of this, one day it went up to -15, felt like summer 8O I would move to Texas in an instant.

 

[ericthered]

I grew up an hour east of skrapsoftobacco and was born during the blizzard of '77, so I think I was born with snow in my veins. I'm in SE Virginia now and I loathe the weather here (although a few weeks in Spring and Autumn are admittedly beautiful). I get seasonal affective disorder during the summer months, my mood being ruined every time I have to venture outside. I know it's even worse further south, it boggles my mind how anyone can live in those conditions.

 

[cossackjack]

In the spirit of Winter Coming:

This is long, read all the way to the end.

(Some may have seen this before)
Snow Beautiful Snow
December 8

6:00 PM. It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our tea and sat for hours by the window, watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses Print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow!
December 9

We woke to a beautiful blanket of crystal white snow covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a more lovely place in the Whole World? Moving here was the best idea I've ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a boy again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snow plow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life!
December 12

The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry. Bob says we'll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I’ll never want to see snow again. I don't think that's possible. Bob is such a nice man. I'm glad he's our neighbor.
December 14

Snow, lovely snow! 8" last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle so. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed-up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn't realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I'll certainly get back in shape this way, I wish I wouldn't huff and puff so.
December 15

20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought a 4x4 Blazer. Bought snow tires for the wife's car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that's silly. We aren't in Alaska, after all.
December 16

Ice storm this morning. Fell on the ice in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt badly. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.
December 17

Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should've bought a wood stove, but won't admit it to her. I hate it when she's right. I can't believe I'm freezing to death in my own living room.
December 20

Electricity's back on, but had another 14" of the stuff last night. More shoveling. Took all day; freakin' snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they're too busy playing hockey. I think they're lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they're out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they're lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he's lying.
December 22

Bob was right because 13 more inches of the white *&^% fell today, and it's so cold it probably won't melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to pee. By the time I got undressed, peed and dressed again, I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he's too busy. I think he's lying.
December 23

Only 2" of snow today. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she… nuts??? Why didn't she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but she's definitely lying.
December 24

6". Snow packed so hard by snowplow, I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the son of a bitch who drives that snowplow, I’ll drag him through the snow by his ear. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I've just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to cuddle with her, but I was busy watching for the freakin’ snowplow.
December 25

20 more inches of the slop tonight. Snowed in. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. I hate the snow! Then the snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I hit him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she's an idiot. If I have to watch It's a Wonderful Life one more time, I'm going to kill her.
December 26

Still snowed in. Why did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She's really getting on my nerves.
December 27

Temperature dropped to below zero and the pipes froze.  The plumber says it’ll be two weeks before he can get here.  I think he’s lying!  I’m going to thaw the pipes with my propane torch.  How stupid does he think I am?
December 28

Warmed up to above -50. Still snowed in.  I set the crawl-space on fire with the damned torch, fortunately , the pipes burst and put the fire out.  The Plumber says it’ll be 3 weeks now and I should’ve booked him yesterday.   Now I know he’s lying!  My wife is driving me crazy!!!
December 29

10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That's the silliest thing I ever heard. How dumb does he think I am?
December 30

Roof caved in. The snow plow driver is suing me for a million dollars for the bump on his head. The wife went home to her mother. 9” predicted.
December 31

Set fire to what’s left of the house. No more shoveling!
January 8

I feel so good. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me....
Why am I tied to the bed?
Author Unknown…

 

[cortezattic]

It sounds like time to reprise a poem I wrote with pipe in hand, while reflecting on a snowfall. ::
Every child should be raised where snow falls

For snowball fights from snow forts,

And snowmen with corncob pipes and carrot noses,

And sleds and sleighs and skates and skis,

And playing "King of the Mountain" on a plowed-up pile,

And making snow angels;
And the wonder of looking up on a silvery night

As fluffy flakes reflect moonbeams and float down

To tickle eyelashes and do their magic with trees.

 

[skraps]

:clap:
Nicely done.

 

[hmhaines]

Cossack, delithtful story. Hope your meds are working well!

 

[hakchuma]

I'm still trying to understand why I continue to live in a place where my face hurts when I go outside.

 

[mothernaturewilleatusallforbreakfast]

Some nights are just flat bone chilling cold with the temperature dipping down to near freezing!

It's funny to read a Texan describe bone chilling cold as near freezing.

 

[cossackjack]

The meds help. Nice, pleasant thoughts. "It's not snow, it's nice warm white beach sand. It's not snow..."

The badly tailored jacket with overly long sleeves that tie in the back is very soothing & keeps me warm since I'm not allowed near fire. :crazy:

 

[iamn8]

Is "damned snow" just like regular snow?

 

[hiplainsdrifter]

Sallies.