Update on new office equipment

Also known as Merlot......

I think I found her mute button but it's only actived when Frankie sits on her head. As far as the Shredder-damn thing must be battery operated, nuclear at that. Can't shut it off for anything. Now it's diving into the toys and destuffing them, attacking the plants, and today it was the toilet brush. All end up in her hoarding spot behind the couch.

Right now I'm search for my lost slipper. If you see a nice deep red one, send it my way please. My left foot is getting cold.


Later gators.....
C

Where has the time gone?

ABC had a year in review and David and I just sat and watched it this morning, no sound from either of us. It's amazing the things that happened this year, it was a busy one to say the least. As I reflect back on it, I am still amazed at how horrendous, yet magnificant a year it was.

From car crashes, to elections. New champions, to saying good bye to old friends. The laughs, the crying, the hugs and the slugs, 2008 is one for the books.

Floods, tornados, new puppies, and new family members. 60+ inches of snow, heat waves, kids going off to college and reuniting with long lost friends.

As 2009 approaches, we at Foggy Bottom want to wish you and your family a very blessed New Year. Take care to hug those close to you as things can change in a heartbeat. Don't regret the what if's but rejoice in the I did's!

Later gators.....
C

Letter to the manufacturer-defective product(spew alert)

Dear Mr and Mrs Mumme:

Please find inclosed one slighty slimed black and white, brindle pointed 12 week old female puppy. It's defective and I would like to exchange it for one that doesn't bark, poop, pee, piss off the old dog, instigate mahem with the other young dogs, consider the griffon as it's personal chew toy and last but not least, doesn't destory most everything in it's path. See attached photo for the debris trail it has left during it's most recent reign of terror.

I would appreciate it if the new one to be sent as it's replacement be slightly larger then the current model as it's head fits neatly inside an older corgis mouth. Also a larger one will not have the ability to dive under the couch for cover and attack any moving object, such as feet, toes, socks, slippers, collie leg and the occasional hand that passes within it's range of fire. This one also seems to have teeth sharp enough to pierce an ear and an unusual squeak/mind numbing bark combo when it is in combat with one of the Red Boys. I can't seem to find a volume switch-that too must be defective or missing. Would there be a chance of that being an upgrade on the replacement model? I am willing to pay for that if needed.

Thank you and I anxiously await our new and improved replacement model.

Sincerely,

Cindy McDonald

(and no, that is not a mess created by Hope, she is the innocent victim in this crime spree. It's several wrapping paper tubes that some how got found and made their way into the front room. )

Later gators....

C

Christmas in LeClaire

First I must apologize for not wishing everyone in Blogger land a Merriest of Christmas'! We did the usual sprint to finish up shopping between storms and then hit all the appropriate stops to visit our families on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day is reserved for us and we stay home, open presents, enjoy traditional waffles and fruit for breakfast then make a big meal to munch on the rest of the day. David's dad, Dick and Jackie come over, then my parents stop by to see what the grandkids and dogs got from Santa. I think the Nerf guns and Mp3 players were a big hit, though the college kid did like the new coffee pot, cups, thermos and a year's supply of coffee.

For me, it was great too as the Flood of 08 nearly wiped out David's usual shopping spots for me. Luck had it that my favorite store in the world, just reopened last week! Walk in there and get me anything and I am happy. It's of course the Czech Cottage down in the Village. I have new cut class Czech eggs, a hand decorated real egg and an Iowa ear of corn wooden one. Add in the new Boyd's Moose to the collection-his name is appropriate-Moosie Moose, and I was happy.

But it's more about the sharing of time with friends and family that makes me happier. We trekked down to LeClaire IA on Friday to celebrate a little Christmas cheer with Kim, Kathy, Momma Rose and Nick. Nick's birthday was on the 26th too, so he and Meredith planned it all out. Dinner, wine, cake and of course a sleep over for the kids. Moose, Lace, Frankie and Merlot came along to entertain us all. And entertain they did! Kim had her camera ever ready and I know if you go over to the Cardi Capers blog that you will find some good pictures posted later. Let's see, Frank and Merlot at the top of the forbidden stairs, Merlot harassing Russ, Merlot hoarding toys behind the tree, Lacey looking torqued at having to deal with the cardi kids. Her whole purpose in attending was to help Shaker with his big dog issues, well, he took one look at her and rolled over, bellied up and said I give. I think he remembers her and knows not to piss the blue dog off.

We enjoyed, okay more then enjoyed Momma Rose's Italian cooking. And I truely know why Kathy doesn't cook-when you have an Italian Chef in residence, why do you need to? Dinner was awesome and Nick's cake was too. Oh chocolate bunt cake-ummm. So good that when I called this morning to say the ice storm would prevent us from safely retrieving the Mss, Nick and Meredith had it for breakfast.

The dogs were angels, for the most part. Moose really didn't want to go home, he had his spot reserved on the couch. Music was happy to have her Frankie for the evening, even if that meant sharing him with the other dogs. Russ was his ever voiceful self, letting us know exactly how he felt about the baby being there. Shaker was slightly miffed as the baby Merlot also told him what she thought him-not much. Tell you what, that darn puppy in a matter of minutes had taken charge of the house and it's inhabitants. Not going to worry about her at all.

Gifts exchanged-Meredith got enough songs to load up the Mp3 player, Alec's set for coffee and Nick is nice and warm in his new Hawkeye blanket. Me-love it when people get in cahoots together. After the Rochester show and the demise of my 17 yr old crockpot, David and Kim worked it out so that I got a new crockpot!!! The rule is that it doesn't go in the shower stall for storage unless we have sewer hook up in the RV. Any suggestions for what to cook in it first? I'm thinking black eyed peas and ham hocks for the new year then take some up to the Show in St Paul?

The ride home was uneventful, except for the FOG! Goodness, think as pea soup and wind moving it all over. Wish we could have seen the river on the way out, would have been beautiful at night, but we even had a hard time finding the center line on the road. Dogs were super tired and slept the entire way. I hear that Nick and Meredith didn't sleep much, with Meredith passed out sleeping right now. I can't tell you how nice it is to have such good friends to spend time with. Thanks for such a wonderful evening!

So with Christmas wrapped up, we are now heading towards the new year. 2008 was a wild one to say the least. Hoping that we don't repeat any of it in 2009. Looking forward to the dog shows, horses shows, fun, food and wine with friends. Oh the excitement of it all, but gotta get through the winter safely first.

Hugs to all and if I don't get anything else posted before the new year-Happy New Year to everyone!!

Later gators.....
C

Stop that!!! I give up....

I've come to find out that the red boys weave a spell on just about anyone. Not my color of choice for my cardigans, but you get what you get and take the best and run with it. Frank and Torch both have a way of making you fall in love, even if you don't like their colors. Even Arlo has charmed a whole new generation of cardi lovers. Same goes for little Ms Merlot. She loves her red boys.

Goodness, this morning it was unbearable. Let the puppy out, let the puppy in. Walk, step on puppy. Get toe bit by puppy. No puppy. No puppy. STOP THAT!! So she goes and sits in front of the boys crates and teases them. In an effort to try and get something done this morning so that I can leave and run errands, I give in and let the boys out. Did that do the trick or what? She got rolled across the kitchen floor a few times, bit a few Torch butts on the way. Take toys away from Frank then play the I can go under the gate and you can't game. At least I am able to walk through the house with out tripping over a little black blur. Ring around the base of the Christmas Tree, mad frap dash behind the couch, then a lap into the kitchen, around the dining room table and pile on the puppy in the front room. More toys, more fraps and a stop for a drink of water.

They don't like her at all, do they?

Later gators....

C

2 days left to shop

And man did I do my share this afternoon!

We were drifted in until the neighbor came by with his tractor but it still wasn't pretty. The county came by later and did a little better but I don't think they tried too hard-predicting another 3-6 inches tonight and tomorrow. Praying for no wind this time around. The ditches are full which means it will drift shut even faster.

But with shopping to finish, David and I hit the road. Traffic wasn't all that bad, stores were busy but tolerable and we got all the major stuff done, now it's time to wrap and I have to get one last thing for David now.

Merlot, aka the newest member of the chaos crew, is fitting in just fine. Total puppy and with three other teenage puppies in the house, well, it just makes for fast foot work and lots of NO's shouted around. She has become fast friends with da'red boys, now if I can get Frank to stop humping her. He's got a case of the hormones going on with girls in season, just coming out of season and getting ready to go in season. Right now a well aimed squirt bottle does the trick. She's taken to hoarding bones and toys behind and under the couch, then attacking the leg that comes too close. Torch is her favorite source of entertainment as she loves to jump out and bite his tush as he runs by.

The collies just walk right over the top of her, lots of tripping happening and it's funny to see a collie fall on it's face and a puppy run for cover. Eddie is very protective and I keep telling him not to piss her off, he might need to woo her later in life. Tango feels it's her duty to inform any newcomers that she's in charge, all four pounds of her. Didn't work too well, Merlot thinks she's a oversized squeaky toy and takes every opportunity to torment the poor little dog. But her biggest thrill is harassing the griffs, especially Ace. OMG, he's just her size and runs so fast, it's constant entertainment.

Our only issue is that she's just a little too big to get out from under the couch, once she gets under it. Have to rescue her when the distress barks happen. Meredith loves her to pieces and as usual with any puppies in this house, have to keep reminding everyone, she has four feet and can use them very well---put down the puppy!!!

So with a reference to the former blog and the whole Indiana Jones and the floor is moving quote--Puppies, why did it have to be puppies??? I sign off and attempt to wade through the kitchen to finish up my Christmas sewing projects-four left to do, no wait, that's 9-I went to the fabric store today-OOPS.

Remember, 2 shopping days left!!!

Later gators.....
C

What I won't do for a present

OMG OMG OMG It's just plan cold, as in hell froze over cold. OMG

Got that out of my system. I can't believe the wind out here. Howling and the snow hurts when it hits your face. Now I will say it's not worse then the summer storms, had 60-70 mph winds, but the intensity of the cold is what gets you. We had blizzard warnings out for yesterday and today. Now it's wind chill warnings-dangerous ones at that. Moo is cold and sharing a stall with Laredo. Both have blankets on and then Torey is getting his tonight as well as his shipping boots on. Strange horse, his legs get cold, so we use the heavy duty ones with hock extensions. Once he has those on he's fine. Clydes are perfectly comfortable in this weather and Ms Phoenix, who thinks she's one of the big horses, just huddles in the middle of them. High tomorrow is predicted to be -9. Yes that is the high and what a way to welcome the first day of winter.

Happy Birthday Dad!!!! You're present is stuck at home with me in the drifts.

So it's cold, blowing and what do we do today? Drive to Amana. Can't keep us hardy Iowans down long. Met Rus, Sherilyn and Bekka at my favorite place-the Brick Haus. Great food-lots of it, great conversation-even more of that and just a wonderful time spent in a warmish(it was really cold to start) place. Here's what it looked like on the way down....

But it was awell worth it. Here's my Christmas present!!!

Right now she's taking on the red boys, chasing Ace and sucking up to Mamma Marg, who, super surprisingly enough, loves her.

We stopped on the way home to take a look at the 'beezer hound puppies. Alec had been stranded in town last night so he meet us over at Alisa's work where we evaluated them a little. He's still stranded in town as I called him on the way home and said his little grand am wouldn't make it past the first drift on Lillie. We almost didn't make it either , but trusty big truck with 4WD. Now you have to be stupid to drive anything less if you live in the county in Iowa. It's either mud in the spring and summer or snow in the winter. Those little all wheel drive mini vans are just asking to get stuck. Even with the neighbor's out here plowing to get from farm to farm and take care of their livestock, it's no place for weenies. So the road is shut tight, which of course means snow day for David tomorrow. Gotta wait for a plow or neighbor to break them open now.

Hope everyone stays warm and safe. Doggies here wish for spring or at least a snow day where they can play outside without getting their paws froze off. More photos of the newest member of the chaos crew tomorrow.

Later gators.....

C

The day after

Wow, what a night. Listened to the sleet, freezing rain and ice pellets bounce off the roof all night long. Ended up with a little over 4 inches, though Cedar Rapids only says 3 or so. Sun came out today and we could see whipped topping drifts all over the place. Dogs are in heaven and it's hard pressed to get them in the house at all. Horses are a little peeved but happy with the extra hay David's putting out for them. Moo's the least happy of them all as he got stuck in the stall last night. Safety precaution so that he doesn't reinjury himself.

Tomorrow is forecast for more snow to the north but mostly here high winds, which means drifting. Great, just love that, supposed to do some Christmas shopping tomorrow afternoon.

But on the other hand, I wouldn't trade where I live for any where else. I would like to visit far away lands, but always have the consistency of Iowa to come back too. I know you are laughing but yes consistent it is. Hot in the summer, wet in the spring, crisp in the fall and cold to the bone in the winter. I like the change, the beauty of it all. My great grandparents stuck it out, why shouldn't I? Be easier to give up and head south, nah, that's for weenies. Only way you'll get me outta here is if David gets a transfer, which I pray every day doesn't happen. I have no love for Irvine and I have no doubt it won't love me either!!!

So for now, it's knee deep snow, cold then you know what and a warm snuggly blanket to curl up under with a good book. Can't be all that bad, all my orchids are sending up shoots for new blooms, the violets are doing the same, all 15 of them! Springs around the corner, considering Sunday is the first offical day of winter, I can't wait!


Later gators.....
C

Friday Foto for Skywatch

In anticipation of the storm tonight, not really a sky photo but a look back at what might happen by the morning. If you look at the picture in a larger format, you can see the ice on the tree, lots of ice.

Have a great weekend and Happy Holidays from the Foggy Bottom Crew!!!

http://www.skyley.blogspot.com/

Later gators.....

C

Ugly and 3 days and counting!!!

As I sit here typing, it's sunny, still colder then you know what, but at least I can get my required sunshine time it. And we are awaiting a nasty storm. Predicted to hit here around 2-3pm, with, get this--either 6-12 inches of snow or up to an inch of ICE?? Or something right inbetween it. I can't believe it!

I have the generator ready to rock in case power goes out. Stocked up on the needed supplies-Milk for the Miss, cold cuts, baking supplies, and enough junk to feed the returning college student. Yes he's due in today sometime, needless to say the conversation last night was " get your hinnie home early and don't mess around". Hope he heeds my words.

Looks like it's the last day for the schools too. Actually tomorrow is supposed to be but I bet they cancel school. I made the required apple crisp for the Pow Wow the 5th graders are having, ran my errands-shavings for the stall, straw for the ducks, and clemintines for the big kids.

It's been so busy here that I haven't had a moment to ask my alotted questions. House sitting for my mom, Therapy Dog visits with a Grumpy Moose(he's still po'd about getting left at home while the puppy got to go to the show this weekend) and doing a dog food run. So here it goes:

It's the same size as a bread box-right now. It's not blue or pink but black and white. Ha ha-is it read all over?? Haha, old kid's joke and not one of my questions! Knowing that I'm having our Christmas Dinner with Rus, Sherilyn and Bekka this weekend-barring weather, I beat you and I know what it is!! Tell you what, photos on Sunday when we get home.

Back to baking while I wait to go pick up the town folk from school and work. Still bright and sunny, but just got a gut feeling that this could be a wild ride tonight.

Keep warm and safe!

Later gators.....
C

Tagged in the 6th sense

Okay, here's my 6 of 6 of 6 photo-cute ain't it?? A 'beezer hound butt shot! I was helping Alisa take pictures of Ana's first litter at just over 6 mos old. Just to be nice, here's a better shot.....

Not sure who hasn't been tagged yet but just to send it out-

Laura, Cooper and Carly

Mumme's and the Gang

Garrett and the Snow crew

Colleen and da' boys

and who ever else wants to join in---just make sure to add a comment here so that I know you're playing!

Later gators....

C

C

Unreal weekend

Okay let's start out by saying that I HATE WINTER!!!!!!!!! Not only is it below zero here, but the wind and lack of snow is unreal. Started out this weekend around 30 degrees, then warmed up to over 50. By the time I got back home from the show, I had driven through a down pour, been pelleted by sleet, freezing rain and ice. A 90 min trip took 3 hours at which Kim commented-should have just stayed here for the night. Should have!

Weekend at a dog show is really what I needed after being cooped up in the house for so long. People, real people! Kim, Nick and I, along with the four cardigans-Russ, Music, Devil Boy Shaker, and Baby Frankie, all went to Chicago. So much fun, good wine-okay CAW for me, pizza, pasta and Susan and Jean's chili and sloppy joes. There went the diet again.

Not much to report on the show results-weird judging, ask Emily. The look on her face when the judge picked BOB was funny. Shaker only showed on Sunday and can't thank Susan enough for showing him for us. He needed someone who he hadn't already pissed off to take him in. Russ looked good and greatful for a judge on Sunday that asked us to move our dogs out, not walk around the ring like Saturday. Music, a whole new woman. We thought someone had come in and switched her. And we think it was all because of dear Frankie Baby. He is following in Uncle Moose's footsteps and charming the pants off everyone he meets. Frank did win his sweeps class and both judges told me that the only reason for not taking BBE, was that he was a baby-maturity. Well he's not showing in puppy so they'll just have to live with my baby for awhile.

Now that I've unloaded the bad parts, the best part was Saturday morning. We groomed with Connie and Chelsea for the weekend. Connie kept checking her cell phone, praying that Kerri would call. And the timing was perfect. We were hanging back and waiting for cardigan regular classes to start. Connie listened to her messages, dropped to her knees in praise, for God had rewarded Kerri's prayers with Jessie being found. If many of you didn't know about it, Kerri while on vacation in GA, had lost her Jessie. She was gone for 16 days. Connie turned to me, in tears and I knew that Jessie was safe. Four of us-Kim, Connie, Chelsea and myself were bawling. Of course, the funny part is we still had to go into the ring and show. So agreed to wait to tell everyone else until we gathered for dinner. And what a celebration dinner it was!!!

Sending healing vibes to Kerri-she's got a rotten cold out of this mess, but at least her teddy bear is back.

So, went to show, had fun, came home and now can't wait for the next one in about 3 weeks!!! Frank is all excited-he's wandering the house aroooing to everyone. Tell you what, never prouder of a little puppy then I am of Frankie Baby. He was a trouper-elevators, shuttles, dog show chaos and his first hotel room stay. He's almost perfect and we got more comments about how nice that little red boy is. Now if the judges can start feeling the same. Check out Kim's blog for pictures of his new friend, Music.

More later, but gotta go and let the herd in-they don't seem to mind this freaking weather at all-go figure!

Later gators....
C

Friday Foto for Skywatch

www.skyley.blogspot.com

Okay, now you can just see the blowing snow in this, but the ditches look like whipped cream right now. It's breathtaking. It's supposed to get up in the high 30's this weekend, thank GOD! This below zero windchill stuff is just not right.

Have a great weekend!


Later gators.....
C

11 days and counting...

Meredith and I got so busy baking yesterday that I forgot to ask my alloted two questions of the day. So while I was doing Hope's raptor claw nails this morning, I thought about what I could ask today. And yes, I am allowed to "rollover" my questions from yesterday and make it 4!

Okay we know it's the same size as a bread box, now. Color isn't blue..

How about pink? I would love one of those pink dell laptops! Nope, not pink.

I'll get back on the color issue later.

Does it sparkle? Sort of---now wait--those are supposed to be yes and no??? Sort of-geezh.

Back to color-I really want to know if it will go with my eyes--is it red? In name only-WHAT???

I have no idea what the heck this is. But let's see what the last question of the day gives me....

Alive or dead-oops, in the from of a yes or now question---Is it alive? Sure hope it stays that way.

Okay, my hubby and kids are horrible at this-goofy answers that don't stay with in the parameters of yes and no.

I have no idea--Sherilyn, you seem to think you know--what will it take to get the answer? Peanut Butter Brownies, a tasty sugar cookie or how about peanut butter kiss cookies??

Back to slaving over the stove, though someone thinks I need to move the hayrack and fix the sump pump today? What am I, Mister Fixit?

Later gators.....
C

I've been tagged

Penni got me and I've been so busy baking that I just haven't had a moment to post my reply.

Here's the deal, and it's a simple one, six things I like--or should I say, that the dogs and I like:

1. Dad being home. It was such a pain last year with all his travel that we really like it when David stays home with us.

2. Cooking those yummy cookies-the dogs wanted to add, especially those liver ones. Clairee spent the day dead center in the kitchen floor, always available to try out the leftovers that didn't fit in the freezer bag.

3. The ducks--mom bought us ducks and they are so much more fun to harass then those stupid horses.

4. Doing therapy work--this is Moose's choice. Though the ice storm canceled his appearance at school today, we will make it up next week. He loves nothing more then getting all those belly rubs, ear pulls and giving slurpy kisses to anyone who comes along.

5. Snuggling down with a good book. Lots of time to read lately and gosh, I forgot how much I missed it. A good cup of tea to go along with it and I'm set for the day.

6. Last but not least, having a loving family and great friends to share this with.


Tag you're it!!!!

Rus and Sherilyn at Winjammin Waves
Kim, Kathy and Nick at Cardi Corgi Capers
Jinnie at Solstice Kennel Weblog
Laura at My Favorite People are Dogs
Manymuddypaws
Colleen and Kids at Porter's Ponderings and Murphy's musings

Later gators......
C

A few of my favorite things...

Taking the line from a well known song, I thought I might ask---what's your favorite holiday song??

Mine-David Bowie and Bing Crosby-Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy

Close second-Mark Lowry-Mary Did You know? from a Gaither Family Christmas

Meredith likes the Muppets Christmas with John Denver and their version of The Twelve Days of Christmas--babumpba!


Chime in guys!!

Later gators.....
C

Christmas is in the air

Oh have I been busy. All the decorations are up, the tree is in the stand out in the barn waiting to be brought in and I've been baking. Doesn't do anything for the diet, but oh well, I'm now sick of taste testing so that makes it easier, I guess.

Let's see-magic bars, peanut butter brownies, Uncle Rodger's zucchini bread recipe, pumpkin muffins, angel food cake, and then dog stuff-liver brownies and pumpkin crisps. A batch of Hummie's cookies in the fridge for later, then it's back to making more sugar cookie dough for the annual corgi and collie cut outs. A request for the triple chip cookies has been made. I think then it's on to Um Num's, then another cake. Oh forgot, the Rosettes. We do a lot of Norweign and Dutch recipes, though our family is Scottish, French and Quaker. For the sake of it all, I think some dutch button butter cookies and some Scottish shortbread will have to be added. Lots of goodies to share in Chicago this weekend.

I got Grandma Daisy's Fenton Tree collection out. David said the arrangement with the nativities is the best it's been in years. Thanks to Mom for the needlecraft nativity.

Now it's waiting to see how much icky stuff gets dumped on us tonight with the first "major" winter storm. Freezing rain, rain, ice and between 3-7 inches of snow on top of it. Hoping it doesn't cancel or delay school as Moose is scheduled for his Christmas visit to Indian Creek and his special education kids tomorrow. He's all ready with his jingle collar and antlers.

Stay warm, safe and dry!

Later gators....

C

Happy Birthday

Sending out a couple of Birthday Greetings today!

First my father-in-law's birthday is this month. Happy Birthday to Bompie Dick-the greatest go to man I know, well, other then his son who I managed to snag almost 17 years ago.

And next, Happy Birthday to Garrett!! Wish we had been able to come up for the party, sounds like it was a blast. Hope the kitchen got finished before the guests arrived. Make sure that you bring a few bottles of the left over wine to St Paul--I hear the potluck is already in the planning stages and I have a couple bottles of CAW stashed away just for the event.


Hugs to all and Happiest of Birthdays!

Later gators....
C

13 days and counting

I'm supposed to be getting an early present the weekend after next, can't wait to see what it is!!!

The joke around here is that you can ask yes and no questions only. Bigger then a bread box or smaller? Right now, same size. Hummm...... Next---color--now I have to ask a specific one, which I go blue? nope. Limited to two questions a day-bugger!

Let's see if I can get more answers tomorrow--any ideas???


Later gators....
C

Friday Foto for Skywatch

This is taken just after the first official snow fall, last week, in our neck of the woods. The storm is just moving off to the east, leaving us with clear and very cold skies to follow.

We are currently 2.5" above last year's total at this time, uh oh! With 60 + inches last year, I don't think I am looking forward to this winter as keenly.

http://www.skyley.blogspot.com/

Later gators.....

C

MIdweek thoughts....

Man, it's that time of the year. I swear the last two days were spent going here and there, chat with this person and that person. But it was all in an attempt to get things done so that I could spend the rest of the week working on the painting and sewing projects I have strewn all over the house. Though this morning, it's more fun to sit curled up in a blanket, rocking chair by the window and a cup of hot tea, watching the snow fall. Which leads me to our midweek thoughts---snow.

~~Everyone knows that line about "Eskimos" and having a hundred words for snow. Did you know it's a hoax???

~~In the early 1900s, skiers created their own terminology to describe types of snow, including the terms "fluffy snow," "powder snow," and "sticky snow." Later, the terminology expanded to include descriptive terms such as "champagne powder," "corduroy," and "mashed potatoes."

~~The greatest snowfall officially reported at the Phoenix, Arizona National Weather Service Office was one inch. That occurred twice. The first time was January 20, 1933. It happened again four years later on the same date.

~~Based on National Weather Service records for 1961 through 1990, Rochester, New York averages 94 inches of snow annually and is the snowiest large city in the United States. Rochester has a population more than 200,000 and annual municipal snow-removal budget of $3.7 million (1995 figures).

~~Clean snow is certainly edible. Snow in urban areas may contain pollutants that one should not eat but they would probably be in such low concentrations that it might not matter. Still, eating snow should be restricted to "wilderness" areas. Sometimes snow contains algae which gives it a red color. This snow can be eaten and some say it actually tastes "good" but we have never tried it.

~~A layer of snow is simply composed of ice grains with air in between the ice grains. Because the snow layer is mostly empty air space, when you step on a layer of snow you compress that layer—a little or a lot, depending on how old the snow is. As the snow compresses, the ice grains rub against each other. This creates friction or resistance; the colder the temperature, the greater the friction between the grains of ice. The sudden squashing of the snow at lower temperatures produces the familiar creaking or crunching sound. At warmer temperatures, closer to melting, this friction is reduced to the point where the sliding of the grains against each other produces little or no noise. It's difficult to say at what temperature the snow starts to crunch, but the colder the snow, the louder the crunch.
Source: NSIDC researcher, Richard Armstrong, November 2005

~~Yes it is true, no snowflake is ever the same, or at least in theory. Larger, complex snowflakes are all different. The number of possible ways of making a complex snowflake is staggeringly large. To see just how much so, consider a simpler question -- how many ways can you arrange 15 books on your bookshelf? Well, there's 15 choices for the first book, 14 for the second, 13 for the third, etc. Multiply it out and there are over a trillion ways to arrange just 15 books. With a hundred books, the number of possible arrangements goes up to just under 10158 (that's a 1 followed by 158 zeros). That number is about 1070 times larger than the total number of atoms in the entire universe! Now when you look at a complex snow crystal, you can often pick out a hundred separate features if you look closely. Since all those features could have grown differently, or ended up in slightly different places, the math is similar to that with the books. Thus the number of ways to make a complex snow crystal is absolutely huge. And thus it's unlikely that any two complex snow crystals, out of all those made over the entire history of the planet, have ever looked completely alike. http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/class/class.htm

~~ Last but not least-the benefit of living in the middle of nowhere-I don't have to shovel if I don't want too!! Most of the time it's just get the drift cut so that I can drive in and out of the drive but leave the rest to the happy hounds who make fox-n-goose paths all around, especially on the usual walking path.

Happy shoveling to all my urban friends!!!

Later gators....

C

Oh no....

Snow! Yeapers, even with our friends up north having had a few inches here and there already, we have been able to avoid it as well as avoiding the ice too. But can't hold back old man winter any longer. About 3 inches here, all wet and great for snow men or ladies, snow horses and of course when the snow man falls, turn him into a snow fort.

The dogs hate to come in from it all. I love to watch Clairee roll and groan, making doggie angels. And of course it was the kid's first snow. Dove ran out, screaching halt-if you can call it that with only 3 legs, and barked at it. And barked and barked and barked. I don't know about her at all. Then there's the red boys-one thought it was evil and wanted back in right away and the other was ready to rumble. Needless to say after wienie boy got over his inital fright, it was impossible to catch them and get them back in the house.

The horses are less then happy, though they are now getting hay and kind of like that part. Moo has only had his blanket on one day, that's good, but with the weather forecast, I think he's going to be getting it back on soon. Duck house has four walls, one door and two windows in. I had to break the bad news to them though, the wrong door is in the wrong opening and the one opening is in the wrong place. No biggy-we get to shop for a new, er, uh, used door for that side. I'm using old antique doors we have found at a couple of architectual salvage places and they look really cool. Same with the windows and now I get to put up a couple flower boxes this spring to make it look really cool.

Been busy lately, but not as busy as the neighbors. He was out disking until 3am this morning. Lights shining in the bedroom with each sweep of the field. Guess what I did today?? Hung the new curtains-thermal and light blocking ones I found. I foresee darkness tonight!

BTW, these are the cows next door. Max has decided that he and a chosen corgi to remain nameless for now, are the official fence guards and must keep those beasties away. Cows have gotten over it now and stand with in an arms reach of the dogs, which just rubs Max the wrong way. Though I know from experience, if the fence were gone, Max would be running to the door, barking let me in, it's gonna eat me!! Oh and the truck in the photo, is for sale. It's a 65? GMC. Really cool looking, been storing it for my BIL, but his "lease" is up and the craps all gotta go. Call me, I have some good deals available!!!!

Later gators.....

C