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The Snow, It Finally Came....and Keeps on Coming

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 05:53:09 PM EST
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The snowstorm is bad and getting worse by the hour. Flights canceled, schools closed, power outages, some highways shut down.

I was out this morning when it was just warm, wet snow and kind of fun. Now with the accumulation and colder temperatures, it's a mess out there. The TL kid is coming for dinner, so I'm going to start cooking. It's a great night for a slow, home-made spaghetti sauce.

[Hat tip to Skippy who made the picture for us during a prior year's blizzard.]

This is an open thread, all topics welcome.

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    The Snow, It Finally Came....and Keeps on Coming | 49 comments (49 topical)

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    Left work at 3p... (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 06:17:04 PM EST
    ...got home at 4:30p.  Ninety minutes to go 10 miles.  The first hour was spent going two miles to get out of suburbia hell to the Interstate.  

    And boy, oh boy did it get the heart rate up.  Had all the truck's auto-stability controls going off, dash lights flashes and beeping.  People sliding everywhere (including straight for me)...  

    Rain, snow, rain and then the biggest, wettest flakes I've seen in some time.  Half a foot of slush on the interstate.  Really coming down now.  Glad I'm home warm and dry.

    70's by Monday.

    Gawd, I love this place.  

    Glad you were in a truck (none / 0) (#3)
    by Cream City on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 06:26:48 PM EST
    in such muck, which I know too well, too.  Stay put now. :=)

    Parent
    Sitting on the coach... (none / 0) (#4)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 06:35:36 PM EST
    ...watching Sponge Bob as I watch it come down out the window and hoping we don't lose power.  Going to be a lot of tree branches coming down, I'm afraid.  

    Although, if we get enough, I might have to venture out for a ski.  

    The truck performed very well,  it definately got a work-out too.  Keeps everything in good shape!  

    Parent

    Ah, yes, this is when (none / 0) (#5)
    by Cream City on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 06:42:16 PM EST
    we make sure we have at the ready . . . the flashlights, firewood, matches, etc. -- and fill up bottles and bathtubs with water.  Not just for drinking, but to make sure that, uh, toilets flush.

    The snow can be fun, but for the part about losing power.  And especially when I lived in the country and learned that it can be a week before it was fixed.  I was such a city kid, used to the fast service that comes from priority on population density.

    Parent

    Yeah... (none / 0) (#6)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 06:52:21 PM EST
    ...if the power goes out it will just like a little Winter camping adventure.  Only I'll at least be dry and have a real toilet.  No fireplace though, so no roasting marshmellows or popping corn. :(

    Parent
    power keeps going out (none / 0) (#8)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 06:55:31 PM EST
    for two seconds....it shuts off my gas stove and I have to keep turning the burners back on. The lights flicker too.

    I-70 is closed from Genesee to Vail Pass and they may extend it to Eagle. Evergreen has been out of power for 11 hours.

    I'm not leaving the house until Sunday, at the earliest. Glad I remembered to visit the liquor store and grocery store today.

    Parent

    Local news here in Portland (none / 0) (#13)
    by caseyOR on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 07:33:53 PM EST
    is reporting that Denver is getting hit with 2 feet of snow. Our weatherperson said this will be the biggest snowfall of the year for y'all.

    Glad everyone is warm and safe and in possession of wine.

    Parent

    That's what my brother, who lives further (none / 0) (#14)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 07:44:00 PM EST
    west in CO just told me.  He's waiting for the snow to stop falling to get his very steep driveway plowed.

    Parent
    Denver town (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by christinep on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 06:24:01 PM EST
    Living in Denver too, I'm happy for the water content...and the green greening to come next week. In the meantime--since I'm fortunate enough to be warm, toasty, looking at the giant flakes out the window after playing in it with my crazy American Eskimo, and just about to eat dinner--all I can say is that some red wine (with or without spaghetti) is perfect today. The famous April snowstorm!

    Enjoy! (none / 0) (#9)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 06:56:51 PM EST
    I'm going to open a bottle of red wine as soon as the TL kid arrives.

    Parent
    72 and sunny in NYC today ;-p (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by andgarden on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 06:54:53 PM EST


    Took the day off from work today - (5.00 / 1) (#10)
    by Anne on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 07:02:05 PM EST
    a little post-tax season present to myself, and spent an enjoyable time outside on the deck reading and just enjoying the beautiful weather.  Have no idea what the temp was, but it was pretty warm in the sun - great breeze kept in very spring-y.

    Was in and out of the house to do this and that, but it was just too nice outside to spend it cooped up doing chores!  Which, by the way, I have plenty of, but I just refused to give in to the guilt.

    Parent

    Good plan. (none / 0) (#11)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 07:09:05 PM EST


    Parent
    73 and sunny in MPLS (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by reslez on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 07:57:28 PM EST
    Took a taxi to a meeting in downtown St. Paul. The weather was so blissful I ended up walking home. Past the state capitol on its still-greening lawn, over the stately sculpted John Ireland bridge, past the cathedral. Bright and sunny!

    I went to some garden stores and found a stunning strawberry plant and some parsley, which I potted for the kitchen. Nothing says spring like dirt under your fingernails.

    Parent

    Finally got some sun (none / 0) (#12)
    by Fabian on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 07:12:18 PM EST
    after three days of cold rain.

    The good kind of rain, a little at a time.

    Parent

    Nice weather here. But the Padres (none / 0) (#15)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 07:45:31 PM EST
    are in Phil. and gave up 5 (!!!!) runs in the first inning.  Clawing back up the ladder to 3 to 7 bottom of the 5th.

    I thought I had tickets... (none / 0) (#16)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 07:51:56 PM EST
    ...to the Rockies game tonight and I really didn't want to go (for obvious reasons--wet/cold).  Then I finally figure out they're in LA tonight and it's next Friday's game I have tickets for.

    It's going to get ugly if I ever retire and don't have to really think about day of the week it is.  

    /Go Phils :)

    Parent

    Cubs hung on and (none / 0) (#17)
    by caseyOR on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 07:53:50 PM EST
    beat the Cardinals 8-7. Always a good day when the Cubs beat the Cards.

    Parent
    Those Divisional wins... (none / 0) (#26)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:08:59 PM EST
    ...are pretty important too.  I was surprised that the Rox got a win at Wrigley.  Weird series though--game, day-off, game.  

    Parent
    Padres had a day off during the Met (none / 0) (#28)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:11:20 PM EST
    series.  Poor guys--on their own in Manhattan.

    Parent
    I didn't realize until I retired this summer (none / 0) (#24)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:06:12 PM EST
    how difficult it is to remember what day of the week it is.  We should all have such problems, eh?  

    Maybe next Fri. it will be sunny and warm at Coors Field?

    P.S.  5 to 7, top of the 7th.  Padres have hit 3 HR so far in this game.  There's hope.

    Parent

    Something about... (none / 0) (#31)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:17:07 PM EST
    ...not having to think about or get up for work, I guess.  Hope I get to experience it someday.  

    It's a crap shoot this early in the season--could be sunny and 70 or just like today next Friday.  That's why I was hoping for a rain/snow out today when I thought I was going--get to trade them for a mid-season game.

    The Holy Fathers are at home hitting all of these HR's?

    Parent

    Philadelphia. Pads still have (none / 0) (#33)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:24:56 PM EST
    a chance to win this game.  Top of the 8th.  

    Parent
    Bottom of the ninth... (none / 0) (#38)
    by kdog on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 09:14:19 PM EST
    8-7 Padres...hold on!  Take two of three from my club you better do the same to the Phils:)

    Gary Sheffield gets his 500th, Mets and the Brew Crew tied at 4 top 9.

    Parent

    I'm happy for Sheffield. (none / 0) (#40)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 09:24:03 PM EST
    And happy the Pads won.  Matt Stairs strikes out.  

    Parent
    Louie Castillo... (none / 0) (#41)
    by kdog on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 09:33:42 PM EST
    with a game winning infield hit...Mets win as well.  Johan tomorrow, he's so nasty.

    Your Padres are on fire out the gate.

    Parent

    Lots of close... (none / 0) (#42)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 09:41:52 PM EST
    ...down to the wire games today.
    O's down by 2 in the 9th against the Red Sox.  Fish up by one over the Nats in the 10th.  

    When's the big cruise start?


    Parent

    Weds I'm off... (none / 0) (#43)
    by kdog on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 09:53:25 PM EST
    can almost taste the salty air my friend...sorry about the rough commute, we had a gem of a day back east, out in the sunset for softball practice and a quick bbq, hope spring finds ya soon so you can get your golf on.

    Parent
    That'll be here... (none / 0) (#44)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 10:02:16 PM EST
    ...before you know it.  Have you been on a cruise before?  Closest I've come is ferry riding.

    The drive was more of an adventure than anything.  Got to keep those Winter driving skills sharp.

    Definately ready to get behind the wheel of a golf cart.  

    Parent

    One previous cruise... (none / 0) (#45)
    by kdog on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 10:28:00 PM EST
    when the whole immediate clan and offspring went to spread my old man's remains according to his wishes...not to be on American soil.  

    He loved the Caribean, the sly son of a gun probably knew we'd end up making it a memorial vacation and having an awesome time.

    You'll get a kick out of this...he never played golf, but he loved Lee Trevino, I asked him why and he goes "How can you root for a guy named Davis Love the Third?"  Then he dropped this Trevino quote on me...

    Pressure is when you play for five dollars a hole with only two in your pocket.


    Parent
    Unemployment for March (none / 0) (#18)
    by CoralGables on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 07:55:32 PM EST
    Official numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics came out today, and without further ado your top ten:

    1 Michigan 12.6
    2 Oregon 12.1
    3 South Carolina 11.4
    4 California 11.2
    5 North Carolina 10.8
    6 Rhode Island 10.5
    7 Nevada 10.4
    8 Indiana 10.0
    9 (tie) Washington DC 9.8
    9 (tie) Kentucky 9.8

    Do you have... (none / 0) (#20)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 07:58:44 PM EST
    ...a bottom Ten to go with that, CG?  I think we're at 7.5% or something close to that.

    Parent
    "The Best Ten" or 11 with ties (none / 0) (#29)
    by CoralGables on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:11:24 PM EST
    1 North Dakota 4.2
    2 Wyoming 4.5
    3 Nebraska 4.6
    4 South Dakota 4.9
    5 (tie) Iowa 5.2
    5 (tie) Utah 5.2
    7 Louisiana 5.8
    8 (tie) New Mexico 5.9
    8 (tie) Oklahoma 5.9
    10 (tie) Kansas 6.1
    10 (tie)Montana 6.1


    Parent
    Thank you! (none / 0) (#35)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:28:56 PM EST
    Hmmm, that list is chock full o' red states.  Interesting.  (Anti) Labor laws perhaps?  Or just small work forces to begin with?

    Parent
    Kansas will soon change, I suspect.: (none / 0) (#49)
    by easilydistracted on Sat Apr 18, 2009 at 11:04:04 AM EST
    Cessna Aircraft business jet division scheduled to layoff 4000 in Wichita within several weeks. I read this week that Cessna parent company Textron is about to be purchased by some mid-east firm that want's to venture into the business jet production. Textron will be forced to sell its other subs like Bell Helicopter and its government services divisions.

    Parent
    Oregon moved up (none / 0) (#21)
    by caseyOR on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 07:58:52 PM EST
    from # 3 to # 2. Now only Michigan stands in the way of our boasting the highest unemployment in the land. Unfortunately for Michigan I suspect they will continue to hold the top spot for sometime to come.

    Parent
    If I had to be unemployed... (none / 0) (#23)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:05:39 PM EST
    ...in any of those states, OR is definately the place I would pick.    

    Interesting mix of blue/red states too.

    Parent

    Oregon is a wonderful place, (none / 0) (#32)
    by caseyOR on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:22:30 PM EST
    but it's very grim here right now. In some parts of the state unemployment is over 15%.

     We are way too dependent on state income tax. There is no sales tax, and voters passed a property tax limitation measure in the early 1990s. We cut the proverbial "fat" from government and school district budgets years ago. We are gouging out bone now.

    And all the Republicans in the legislature offer is tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts. That makes it very hard to take them seriously.

    Parent

    Some light humor (none / 0) (#22)
    by andgarden on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:05:10 PM EST
    "The Unreleased Torture Memo":

    You have asked for this Office's views on whether the technique known as "second-guessing" would violate the prohibition on torture found at Section 2340A of title 18 of the United States Code.



    you are so sweet (none / 0) (#25)
    by skippybkroo on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:08:00 PM EST
    you are so sweet jeralyn for the link and re-using one of the very first photoshops i ever did!

    hope you are keeping warm in my hometown of denver, colo!

    And on the US-Cuba front (none / 0) (#27)
    by caseyOR on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:09:52 PM EST
    I have no idea how this will play out, but this is certainly a welcome change from past US-Cuba rhetoric.

    And Fox News is going ballistic (none / 0) (#37)
    by gyrfalcon on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 09:08:03 PM EST
    with screaming headlines because OBAMA SHOOK CHAVEZ'S HAND!!!!

    Parent
    Denver. The only airport (none / 0) (#30)
    by oldpro on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:13:19 PM EST
    I ever got in...and couldn't get out!

    1956 or 7 ....3 days, 2 nights...snowed in.

    Caught up on my reading...

    year ago Dec. Denver airport was (none / 0) (#34)
    by oculus on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:26:23 PM EST
    open but the Eisenhower tunnel wasn't.  Can't get there from here.  

    Parent
    Reminds me, of some reason (none / 0) (#36)
    by Cream City on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 08:54:41 PM EST
    of a time near Fort Collins, where we went often (to a dude ranch in the family in the olden days) in summers, and we couldn't get from there to a town fairly nearby . . . because it meant going through the mountains, and the road was snowed shut.  In August.  That was an education in mountain living.:-)

    Parent
    I heard that was heading your way (none / 0) (#39)
    by eric on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 09:16:18 PM EST
    In Minneapolis, WAY north of Denver, it was 73 or so today.  For us this time of year, that feels like 85.  We will not have more snow, thankfully.  It has been a long winter.

    MN forecast says (none / 0) (#46)
    by reslez on Fri Apr 17, 2009 at 10:56:13 PM EST
    Sunday 49 degrees with rain. That might be it.

    I hope it's wrong! The weather's been so magnificent this week it really would be a shame to have a storm over the weekend. Extended forecast says happy weather will return Monday.

    It really has been a long, cold winter. No wonder everyone's looking for "green shoots".

    Parent

    I think that's right (none / 0) (#47)
    by nycstray on Sat Apr 18, 2009 at 12:23:00 AM EST
    we are getting hit tomorrow night with a temp drop and rain also. But 76 tomorrow. The temp is rising right now. In the past hour it's gone up a couple degrees to 63 and it's 1:20 AM!! And our trees are really starting to bust out, just ask my eyes!

    Just No More Snow PLEASE!!!!!

    Parent

    Ditto here to the east of MN (none / 0) (#48)
    by Cream City on Sat Apr 18, 2009 at 01:12:36 AM EST
    and I am SO ready to sit outside tomorrow.  Inland from us, it was in the upper 70s, but not in our neighborhood (the dreaded lake effect . . . although we welcome its relief in August humidity).  So I cleared away a lot of indoor work today to be able to enjoy tomorrow.

    That is, before the temp plunges back down to the 40s with rain on Sunday.  Ah well, I'll get back to my stack of work then.:-)

    Parent

    The Snow, It Finally Came....and Keeps on Coming | 49 comments (49 topical)

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