Countdown to Spring – Seriously, Phil?

Yes, it's back - the once weekly version of this dull as dishwater series.  So, let us begin.

             Last night, as I have done for the last three nights, I maintained vigil on my waterlines to make sure they didn’t freeze by running both the hot and cold water taps for at least 30 seconds every 2-3 hours.  Yeah, sleep was less than ideal.  However, I had it happen New Year’s Day 2018 when the temperature went to -7°F.  It’s been below 0°F at night since Wednesday night, and there’s just something about waiting half a day for natural thaw and/or calling a plumber that made me decide to go for the sleep deprivation option.  It almost worked.  Had I not slipped up and checked it at 6 AM, I might still have hot water.  That’ll come back later today, though.  You might say let the water trickle or use heat tape on pipes for a better night’s sleep, but this is a unique situation where anything less than a periodic full-on tap run will not work.  Don’t argue with me – I get grumpy when I haven’t had at least my normal night’s sleep.

            But, I digress.  We turn to the south from here in New York to a little town called Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.  At around 7:25 this morning, they hauled the groundhog/woodchuck/whistling pig/destroyer of gardens and lawns named Phil out of his nice warm spot to go through the ritual of predicting how the rest of the winter is supposed to go.  This morning, it was proclaimed that Phil did not see his shadow, which allegedly points toward an early spring. 

Yeah, right.

Much as I would like to climb on that warmer and less snow and ice laden bandwagon, I have my doubts about Phil’s forecast this year.  Quite frankly, with it being maybe 10°F down there in Punxsutawney at the time, I think Phil was either hypothermic and couldn’t see or think straight, or he just wanted to get back in his nice warm hutch and told the throngs of people amassed there what they wanted to hear. 

We’re supposed to be getting some nice 40 and 50-degree weather here for the first few days next week.  It’s sort of the January thaw we didn’t get this winter.  I’ll enjoy the warm weather like everyone else.  It’s a great little respite.  But I know that the 12” of light fluffy snow that fell earlier this week will still be here after the temperatures drop back down into the more normal 20s and 30s during the day and 10s at night later on in the week.  Some of the mountains of snow that were created by bulldozers and front-loaders this past Wednesday will likely be there into March, if not until the first day of spring.

Yes, Punxsutawney Phil is right in that the weather will get better as time goes by.  It will get warmer, the migrating birds will return, the hibernators will come out of their dens, the grass will grow, the trees will come into leaf, and the flowers will bloom.  But I have a feeling it’s going to be on a normal seasonal schedule and nothing sooner.  Sorry, Folks.

Only 46 days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring - Yet, Still, But Not Really

It's sometimes been a little hard to remember we're almost at the end of April.  We've had below freezing temperatures for most of this month's nights.  We've had snow, sleet and freezing rain multiple times. Granted, it doesn't stay around long and, as I type this, there is no evidence of that crappy stuff to be seen. 

There is clear evidence that spring has arrived out there.  Grass is greening up.  Leaves are starting to unfold on trees and bushes.  That pussy willow I mentioned in the earlier posts has gone to pollen.  Daffodils, hyacinth, forsythia, etc. are all out there and in various stages of bloom.  Most, if not all, of the migrating birds have returned.  The robins that I wasn't seeing arrived about a week after my last post and I've been seeing them in droves.

Days and nights are (slowly, very slowly) warming up, and the need to crank the heat up inside has faded to the point where I don't fear looking at the electricity bill anymore.  People are starting to shed their winter apparel for lighter articles of clothing.  Kids now regularly play outside, and it's wonderful to see the park not far from me in use again.  Also not far from me is a marina, and boats are being brought in by car or being unwrapped and taken out of storage, and they'll all soon be hitting the water.  It won't matter that it's still at best in the 40s, 50s and 60s.  They'll be out there like the rest of the spring arrivals, defying the elements and enjoying the moment.

This winter has been like the houseguest that doesn't know when to leave.  While it's not unheard of to still have this kind of chillier and more than a bit snowier/icier than usual kind of weather in April in New York, the winter solstice has worn out its welcome and needs to disappear until December like a good little season now.  I'm going to put away my snow shovel and my ice melt as a symbolic gesture and general hint.  Hopefully, Mother Nature will agree it's time for spring to be in control and not make me haul them out again until after December 21st.

Happy Earth Day, everyone.  Go out and honor and respect the planet 24/7/365.

Countdown to Spring - Waiting for Winter to Return

It's presently in the upper 40s, but the cold front is heading toward us as I type this.  We'll drop into the 30s tonight, then 20s tomorrow, 10s tomorrow night, with a repeat of 20s and 10s through Sunday.  It'll be in the 30s during the day after that, but the warmer weather that we've come to know and sort of appreciate won't be back until late next week.

Then, let's talk snow.  The weather forecasting services can't seem to come to an agreement as to how much we're supposed to get.  I mentioned that yesterday.  However, the snow range is now up to 3-6" instead of 2-4" at its high end.  Still not bad, but we're not done.  Next Tuesday is a snow event of unknown amounts.  It could be an inch, it could be 6-10".

I knew there was a reason I didn't put the snow shovel away.  Or my winter coat.  Or gloves.  Or etc.

Only 11 more days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring – The Short Blooming Season

The good news – we didn't get down into the single digits Saturday into Sunday as predicted, although we did manage to get down into the low 10s just before sunrise on Sunday and Monday.

The bad news – most of the snowdrops didn't survive the transition from balmy warmth to frigid chill.  Hard to say on the crocuses yet.  I'll know better tomorrow.  However, I think their demise had less to do with the weather and more to do with deer wanting a colorful salad last night.  I was hard-pressed to find any crocus buds this morning and there had been plenty ready to pop open Sunday before the temperature took its second nosedive.  Ah, well, critters gotta eat.  Thank goodness they don't like daffodils.

Only 14 days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring - Fuel Consumption

Heating fuel has been delivered.  It's been a little under a month since the last delivery and I've gone through about 100 gallons.  To some that may seem like a lot.  But, believe me, it's wonderfully less than normal for this house.  The cost of heating for a season has sometimes outdone property taxes for the #1 spot on the budget crunch list over the years.  The topsy-turvy warm temperatures have been a blessing with regard to the heating bill this season.  While I needed the help the of HEAP again this year, and I am incredibly grateful for that assist, I was also able to pay my own way for half my needs as well.

The next two days will be markedly chilly.  They're now saying temperatures may be in the single digits tonight.  There was a time when I might have worried about that, not because of a lack of fuel, but because I have an outdoor tank.  Anyone who has one who lives in a northern state (or country) understands my concern.  People say that the fuel freezes, but it doesn't.  Without anything to prevent it from happening when the temperatures are below freezing, regular old #2 heating oil as well as diesel become very thick, sometimes even waxy, and won't flow from the tank through the line to the boiler or furnace.  Many a service technician has worked the night through just restarting these mechanical beasts when this happens.  You might feel a lack of sympathy for these techs, considering the amount that's charged for an emergency call, especially in the wee hours of the morning.  But, just remember, they're coming out to help you in the same cold weather you're dealing with.  Yes, I really could see it from their point of view even when I was waiting for them to finish other calls that came in before mine.

Anyway, some folks deal with this problem by building insulated housing around the tank or by buying a warming device for the tank to keep the oil thin enough to flow.  Both of these methods of dealing with the problem have gotten mixed reviews from people who have chosen them.  Not financially practical for me. Others use kerosene or a 50/50 mix of heating fuel and kerosene during the winter months instead of regular heating oil.  This does work and I can attest to it.  But kerosene generally runs about 125% to 150% the cost of heating fuel and even a 50/50 mix of the two isn't exactly economical.

There are additives which can be added to heating fuel to prevent the gelling.  I tried several before I finally found one that, when used regularly from the beginning of the heating season, prevents clogged fuel lines from happening.  It's only been tested down to -7°F since I started using it several years ago, but it's supposed to handle even colder temperatures.  All I know is that it has come through for me every year and it is markedly less expensive than using kerosene.  The manufacturer, Power Service, even puts out a product which several service techs swear really does cut through cold temperature clogged lines and lets them sleep during the below freezing and subzero nights.  I've never had to use it, but I have it on hand just in case.  I don't normally endorse products in my blog, but this company's products really work when others have not.

Anyway, I'm ready for our two-day cold snap, which will be followed by 40s, 50s and 60s again starting Monday.  Much as it's still not normal, it's closer to the time when it will be normal   and that's all right by me.

Stay warm, everybody.

Only 16 more days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring - The Brr is Back

Before the sun rises on Saturday morning, the temperatures will be down in the 10s.  That I expected.  However, I wasn't expecting SINGLE DIGITS Saturday into Sunday.  Weren't those supposed to happen in February, when we were getting 50s, 60s and even a few moments of 70s?  Weather like this weekend's forecast reminds me that winter has gotten old.

No, I didn't mean "cold".  It wasn't a typo, even though I'm always good for a few in every entry.

I really, truly, sincerely meant OLD.

Only 17 more days until Spring.  Hurry up.

Countdown to Spring - The First Windy Day of March

With the passage of the cold front and its associated storm, the winds were very noticeable today, gusting up to 20 MPH and beyond.  Nothing like last Saturday's little tree and power line dropper, though.  I'd get out one of my kites, but I haven't had the time lately to even consider kite-flying.

The temperatures sank from the really nice 62°F yesterday evening to 42°F now and, of course, tonight's temperatures are going to be more like they should be for early March in my area.  The weekend, as promised, will barely get out of the 20s during the day and is promised to be in the 10s at night.  It's not forecast to stay at that level of chill for very long, but long enough to require reluctant return to wearing a winter coat again.

Yes, I'm looking forward to the vernal equinox – can you tell?

Only 18 days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring - Oh, Look - On the Horizon - It's WINTER (Again)

Did I say it or did I say it?  Tonight will see the temperature in my area drop from the low 60s where it is now at around 7 PM into the 40s tonight and then continue to drop during the day tomorrow.  By this weekend, 20s and 30s during the day and 10s at night will be back.  Briefly, but those chilly temps will remind us that this solstice is not over.

March is by no means a safe month.  Winter has been known to make its presence known up to the last official day of its seasonal existence and beyond. It's snowed in April and even once or twice in May here.  Frost is frequent and has ruined the plans of many an overzealous and impatient gardener even after the date regarded as safe for planting.

So enjoy those spring flowers which have prematurely bloomed.  Some of them don't do well once temps are below the freezing point.  But take joy in the fact that they're here now and there will be others to take their place soon.

Now, I wonder what my heating fuel situation is?

Only 19 days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring - Forsythia?

Yes, forsythia, although not in my yard yet.  However, I've seen it in bloom in other locations.  It doesn't help that it was in the 60s again today and likely will be tomorrow until the next cold front passes through.  Hoping to not have a repeat of Saturday's wild weather tomorrow.

Maybe with the beginning of March, winter will be reminded that there's still time for it to return before getting kicked out until December.  Time will tell.

Only 20 days until Spring.

Countdown to Spring – A Brief Respite

Our morning of freezing precipitation didn’t get all that ugly.  Yes, we did have some, but not enough to make roads bad or schools close (they did delay a few hours, though). 

 

It’s supposed to warm into the 40s today and, even nicer, into the 50s tomorrow.  My heating bill will love it.  But then … yes, winter’s back on Thursday, with a little snow and a 20-degree drop in temperatures from the day before.  The 20s and 30s during the day and the teens during the night and for at least a week.

 

Yeah, I know, it could be much worse.  Let’s hope it doesn’t go there.

 

Only 41 days until Spring.

Countdown to Fall – Closing Down

A cold front passed through earlier today, bringing with it a fresh, hearty breeze and lower humidity.  It was wonderful and my longer than usual walk this morning was a delight.

However, my joy slowly diminished as the day went by.  The temperature in the very early hours of the morning was in the 70s.  As I write this at close to 3 in the afternoon, it’s now in the mid 60s and the breeze coming in the windows is getting more bracing than refreshing. 

I checked the forecast for the next couple of nights, and much as mid to high 40s and dry makes for better sleeping weather than low 70s and humid, it also makes for chilly surfacing from the covers first thing in the morning.  Brr, Baby.

And so, it begins.  The closing of windows to keep it warmer inside than out.  I only had six windows open to allow for cross-breezes.  I’ve now closed three and there may be one more shut down before I head for bed.  I really don’t want to.  It’s a concession that a) colder mornings have arrived and b) I’m not as young as I used to be and don’t tolerate the cold as well as previously.  It may be eye opening to feel at 5 AM, but it’s also cold on the toes.

However, to keep my denial going for a while longer, the screens and the fans which have sat in front of them all summer will not get put away just yet.  After all, the sun can still warm things and 70s and 80s are still possible, right?  Right?

Only 3 days until Fall.

Countdown to Spring: The Good News and the Bad News

The good news is that whatever snow they were predicting for our area never appeared.  I only heard yesterday that we might get anywhere between three and eight inches of new snow today, depending on how the storm tracked.  My immediate response was, "What!?  Why did I bother to shovel?"  I was too tired for expletives to delete.

The bad news is that we're still going to have the predicted single digit temperatures tonight and possibly tomorrow night as well.  There's supposed to be a warm-up after that.  Hopefully that'll stay around up to and through March 20th.

You may say I'm a dreamer ...

Only 15 days until spring.

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