Is everyone ready?

[AndyM]

I'd say the folks in Florida are pretty ready for winter.

But are you ready for winter???

I took off my mower deck and I've got the rear blade on... had to plow the driveway already last Saturday.

 

[LBrown59]

But are you ready for winter???

I took off my mower deck and I've got the rear blade on... had to plow the driveway already last Saturday.

I Never will be ready for winter cause it hain't welcome around me.

 

[AndyM]

I Never will be ready for winter cause it hain't welcome around me.

You may not like it, but it's still coming!

 

[roxynoodle]

We're supposed to be in the high 50s here in Ohio today. I figure the next "Alberta Clipper" is due about this time next week.

I hear the El Nino is not going to be as big as they had first thought. Since the El Nino forecast for this area was for things to be essentially normal, I wonder if that means they will be extra normal, more normal than usual, or what?

My understanding is that the El Nino pattern will give us constantly changing warm and cold fronts. If that's the case, maybe snow and cold one week and it will melt the next. That sounds ok to me except it will be muddy. My parents are coming in from Florida tomorrow to a balmy 55 degrees. That should make them happy! Last week we were having high temps of 22.

 

[Duke4AZ]

Here in the SW desert el Nino is predicted to produce above average snow and rain this year. It has been over 60 days since our last measurable precipitation and we are starting to get a bit dry. Last year after our monsoon season ended in August we went 144 days without rain in the valley here. That is a long time. We have been in a drought situation for over 11 years and could certainly use a few wet years. All that said, there is nothing like the desert in the spring of a wet year. Unbelievable colors from vegetation that you don't even know exists until a prolonged wet period. The diversity of colors from bright reds, yellows, blues and whites are amazing contrasted against the red and gold desert floor and the multitude of varying shades of green of the natural foliage. But that is a picture of the spring and you are all hunkering down for the winter. I can only suggest to keep the fires hot, think warm thoughts, and hope for a white Christmas . . . something requiring travel to get around here.

 

[rback33]

When this thread started I was not.. but now I almost am. Thanks to my county Hwy/Maintenance crew. They have been topping a mile long tree row (both sides) to avoid falling limbs this winter when the snow and ice come. I am not talkin a little pruning, I mean going to TOWN on them. The are chipping the small branche and just leaving the big stuff (FIREWOOD!!) in the ditch. Foreman tells me the plan is to come by with the payloader and dump trucks and haul it five miles up the road to a burn pile. He'll have burn and remove the waste on this one. I tell him (after I have filled my pickup) that it's only three miles to my house. Now they are going to haul it all to my house and dump it for me. I just have to cut and split to size. This is fine since the limbing is done. I will have firewood for the next several years after this. My tax dollars at work!

 

[Duke4AZ]

Major score on the firewood. Having firewood delivered to your door, at what appears to be no cost, is huge. Sort of interesting some times how things just fall into place.

 

[rback33]

Major score on the firewood. Having firewood delivered to your door, at what appears to be no cost, is huge. Sort of interesting some times how things just fall into place.

Major score indeed. I told him I would leave the gate open since no horses were in that pen right now. This allows the trucks to come and go with out the drivers exiting the truck. Our three outside dogs can ACT mean, and some people just don't like dogs. To make things even better on the firewood, there is quite a bit of dry stuff in there to that they are dragging out that I can burn yet this year. He was thrilled with the idea of not having to worry about burning the mess and disposing of the left over. His "problem" is now mine.

 

[daTeacha]

Glad to hear there is some dry stuff in there. Check it carefully, however. A lot of wood will stay wet even if dead and in the tree. I just cut up an Ash log that was down about 3 years and the inside was still very wet. Not just green, but wet to the touch. Same thing with standing dead trees. Somehow I don't think you'd enjoy a chimney fire.

Cover it while it dries if you can. It helps more than most folks think. Air drying is good, but keeping the rain and snow off really makes a big difference.

What kinds of trees were they? It all burns, but I really treasure locust above all others, even more than my hickory and oak. It burns hot and long with very little ash residue. I've gotten so I think of soft maple as almost junk wood, not much better than pine. Still, I have a lot of it, so I use it when it isn't seriously cold out.

 

[rback33]

Not the greatest of woods in there. Some ash, mulberry, hedge and stuff, but mostly elm & cottonwood. As far as a chimney fire goes, I am not too worried. I have my own brushes and clean the stove pipe at least once and sometimes 2 or 3 times a year. If the weather is good I climb up and clean. I will probably do that again this weekend since it is supposed to be close to 60. It was inspected last year when I had to have some repairs done and he indicated everything looked very good.

Like I said, the majority of the wood is not what I would go looking for to burn, but I'll take whatever they bring me. They got a great pile started yesterday.

 

[dtd24]

Just bought a seven foot bb. I'm ready!!!! My first winter with my toy........er.......machine. Wouldn't know it was winter here though. Today is hitting 50 F. Beautiful out, stuck in my office .

 

[patrick_g]

We have had a week of nearly all 50s-60s daytime temps and nights mostly all above freezing and the last vestiges of snow and ice are just about gone from the northern roof slopes. I have no clue when the next arctic outbreak will make it across Canada and work its way to south central Oklahoma but looks like our white Christmas was a bit early (1 Dec) and likely not to be repeated (we hope.)

I have a dozen calves taking turns having runny noses and coughing and would be pleased to have a few weeks of moderate stable weather.

Pat

 

[Duke4AZ]

As promised, Happy Holidays from the warm Southwest.

 

[AndyMA]

I am totally unprepared, no block heater, no chains, no snow blower......

Me too. We get a lot of snow but I don't use any of the above either...

Andy

 

[Iowachild]

As promised, Happy Holidays from the warm Southwest.

Very nice! Thanks and Merry Christmas to all!

 

[LBrown59]

As promised, Happy Holidays from the warm Southwest.

I like Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Better.

 

[patrick_g]

DaTeacha, I wish you had all my locust trees! I will be starting a basal spray program to kill them no later than late next spring. Basal spray will work to kill them so long as it isn't raining, doesn't rain after application, or the ground isn't frozen.

I mostly have honey locust with HUGE THORNS that can pucture tires easily (praises to Slime.)

Pat

 

[greenedeere]

Cool or should I say Very warm picture Duke4AZ. We are having 70+ temps days and mid 50's here in SW Georgia. Beetles,gnats,sweat,and loving every minute of it.

 

[Duke4AZ]

Actually, I do to. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Mr LBrown.

 

[PineRidge]

The snow plow is sitting outside the pole barn ready for action so the'll be no snow in Ohio this winter.

It's already the 22nd of Dec., we're currently at 54 degrees and it's raining again.