Mike, your 2cats

we here in western mass haven't had any snow yet. i am so jealous of the denverites! i want a blizzard.

however, i cannot abide that damned freezing rain and ice storms. while they are lovely to look at the day later, walking is dangerous. i always dread winter ice.

it's pileated, isn't it?

2Cats, grab that digital camera (or your cell phone) and take a photo while the snow is still there. 

I'm going to look Northeast today to see if there's snow out that way.   In the winter we can usually see snow capped mountains up in the Angeles Crest Highway. (for the uninitiated, that's where Jacques Renault's very cool cabin is located.)  To reach the snow from here is about an hour's drive.  When it's serious winter, they always say chains are required.  Chains?  What the heck?  Who has chains?  I'd like to take Lola the Lab out to play in the snow but every time I hear that "chain" advisory, I think, who has chains???  Then I think, if I did have chains, what would I do with them?  Then I pop that thought bubble.

Maybe someday... 

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

"We cannot allow a mine shaft gap"

Haha, very funny, Danwhy!  I don't think it took any longer than a half hour to reach the Sagebrush Cantina! 

Yes, I know the concept of the chains.  They go on the tires.  But how in the dinged dang am I supposed to DO THAT???  Do you have to lift each wheel and pull the chain around it?  Or have someone you trust a whole lot backing up and then pulling forward as you wrap the chains around each tire?  Oh well, don't answer.  There's no way!  

I do still drive an Expedition but this one is new with brand new tires too.  I only have about 3000 miles.  Do you really think I can drive without chains just because it's a big SUV?  Remember, I don't have 4-wheel drive.  At least I don't think I do.  

Let me tell you this car comes in very handy on my Costco trips and for dragging stuff to and from the storage facility.  And if you want to take a little weekend trip with 5 or 6 people, it's a whole lot better (and more economical) than taking two little wimpy Priuses across the desert to Vegas!

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Susan, Even with a low end model 4x2 rear traction fairly new Expedition you should have accurate, safe rack and pinion steering, full 17 inch radial tires, independent front and rear suspension ,and with 3000 miles on your tires you should have " good rubber"-- so short of a 4x4's traction you are in pretty good shape for most normal to moderately inclement conditions. However, if chains are required you can call AAA ( or some auto insurance companies have such coverage-check out your policy) to come and install chains for you ( if within a certain mile range it can be free of charge )-you might have to wait for a significant amount of time for the service if caught up in a bad weather situation away from home. Above all your law enforcement officer at the scene should be able to give you correct information on how to proceed. And you can always turn around and postpone your excursion for a better travel day. ( Aww poor Lola.)

Other thought on this Lola snow frollick idea. Call for road conditions at start of trip . If chains are required have them installed at your local service station step one. Riding on snow less roads beats the sh-t out of chains over long distances and the ride is just a bit clickety. but should not be a deal breaker.

For your consideration.

( 6 and a half hours of poker and I wind up even. Part of the fun is the chatter with old friends -so I am a winner for the night. )

Haha, Raymond, you're worried about my litigious nature, huh?  Can you imagine going to such extremes to allow a dog to play in the snow?  I'd only go if it was a cold but otherwise dry day. 

But it did make me laugh to think about your disclaimers.  You know how the navigation systems of cars have you click on "Accept" when the system starts up each time you start your ignition?  In mine, I have to accept something like this: "Yeah, like, I understand you are giving me the best directions your little computer brain is capable of doling out to me, the driver, but that if you, the computer, go haywire and tell me to plunge over Mulholland Highway, and I follow your directions over my own common sense and end up a quadrapelegic (or worse!), I will not dream of suing you."  Accepted! 

What a riot!  That is but one example of the many wonderful delights brought to the US and A by altogether too many trial lawyers.

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Keep your eye on the doughnut, not on the hole -- DL

Ouch, Annie!  That's the kind of cold I vaguely remember from childhood and part of what convinced me at an early age to vow I'm goin' where the sun keeps shinin' through the pourin' rain -- goin' where the weather suits my clothes.  I didn't care if I NEVER saw another snowflake up close and personal....

...but it is sooooo pretty.  Jackets are a lot warmer now too, aren't they? Boots can keep your feet warm.  But what do you do about your nose, your eyes, and inhaling that icy air?  I can recall the sensation of nostrils seeming to freeze.  

Jordan and Kelly are probably busy with baby stuff these days, but I noticed Kansas had a massive snowfall.  Wonder if it hit their area???  Kelly has posted wonderful snow tableaus in the past.  When Caleb's napping, maybe you can snap a few digital shots of snow, Kelly or Jordan?

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

 How would you like to come back to my tardis and take a look at my time vortex?   

Yes, it does snow in Arizona.

We had a few snows this winter that melted pretty quickly like they usually do. Over the past couple of days we had our first real good one this winter of about 11 inches.  Lots of shoveling.  There are some beautiful, huge icicles hanging from the house now, and the sun is out again.

Icestorm here, last week was fine, upper 60 weather. but it is freezing & Icy here now.

We have about 5 inches of snow and tonight it is supposed to be -4!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Too cold for me!

"Every day holds a new beginning and every hour holds the promise of an Invitation to Love." 

I should have taken a photo yesterday but maybe it's still there today.  Yesterday afternoon there were sheets of ice in a shady area across the street from me.  It's been sooooooooo cold here!!!  Down in the 30s at night.  The kind of weather that means we actually have our furnace running all night long, a rare event in these parts.  COLD in the daytime too though bright and sunny.  If you watched the Golden Globes yesterday you could see those without the benefit of heaters were goose-pimply.  Damned cold!  Brrrrrrrrrr. 

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

I'm telling you it is FREEZING here! Quite literally. My hibiscus tree, several of my potted plants, the hydrangeas, azaleas -- you name it -- they're frost-bit. The tangerines have fallen all around the tree and I think it is from the weight of having frozen. This is quite unbelievable.

So today it got dark and then a giant clap of thunder which was followed by hail -- frozen bits of ice. Here are some photos as it was coming down out in our back yard.

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Wow, Susan. Were you outside looking up the aky saying, "What's next, Lord? Locusts?. I had some folks in the bar last night from Arizona and we were discussing the similarities in our weather, which waa rather amusing. I got an e-mail from my cousin in Tuscon that said he was moving here bcause it was warmer, but I said "Don't worry. You haven't had much wind, so when you see our temperature just subtract 20 from it." No more snow, it has just very quite chilly. Most of the snow we had received has melted to a light dusting.      

"Every day holds a new beginning and every hour holds the promise of an Invitation to Love." 

Locusts did cross my mind, Smokey!  Last summer we had so many days with 100+ degrees but the 119 degree days were truly shocking. 

Again this morning with the snow or just general icy-ness on the roof and the streets. 

Kanan Road -- a canyon that leads to the beach -- closed on route to Malibu because of snow and ice. 

By the way, if any of you happen to be watching and see the "snow in Malibu" scenes, the snowiest parts are the Twin Peaks filming locations.  Many of you have seen them if you've visited LA.  They are the gazebo, One-Eyed Jack's exterior, Jacques Renault's apartment, the now-torn down Leo's house, the road where Leland drives with his golf clubs, the interior of Log Lady's cabin, the rock-lined pathway to name a few that come to mind.  This is known as Lake Malibou (not Malibu) and is just a hop skip and a jump from Mulholland and over to the beach in Malibu proper. 

Warming trend coming this weekend I understand!  Upper 60s and sunny.  Before you know it, it will be spring!

Susan 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

The evidence is there for SoCal ! And snow in Malibu??

Here on Long Island, N Y to date : Zero snow, or sleet, freezing rain, hail-zero!! none yes! ( a 10 min. snow flurry in NY City awhile ago). Yesterday was the first below normal cold day here this winter. I notice our surrounding water temperatures are 44-46 Fh. About plus 5 or 6 degrees from the normal at this coldest time of the year.

My winter job is over tomorrow - so I can hibernate if need be 'til March.