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Monday 9 January 2017

St. Bernard or Swimming Pool?

We got walloped by a snowstorm on the weekend.

We were warned well in advance, so I wrote a post that was scheduled to publish on Monday, in case we lost power.

It was a plea to send a St. Bernard dog to dig us out, and to have him bring us some good dark chocolate in a little knapsack, instead of the booze in the little keg around his neck.

I even found a picture of an intrepid St. Bernard so you could see that he'd be totally up for the job:

He looks like he's up to his haunches in snow, but I think he's actually just lying on the ground with his feet tucked up under him.

We got the snow. But, thankfully, we didn't lose power.

This has been a strange winter so far, but it's exactly what the long-range forecast told us it would be: snow/rain/snow/rain/snow/rain ...

The temperature tonight (Sunday) is forecast to be -29C with windchill factored in, but by Wednesday it's supposed to be +6C and raining. Those wild swings make for dangerous back roads, the ones that are gravel instead of asphalt. They become slick, icy sheets of peril. We are lucky to live where there are paved streets and highways but many in the region have to deal with sheer surfaces in order to reach grocery stores, schools, and work.

What is nature doing in your corner of the world? Do you need a St. Bernard dog and chocolate, or do you need a swimming pool and an iced drink?





38 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Definitely a swimming pool. Preferably filled with ice.
Some global weather moderation would be nice wouldn't it?
I am very, very glad that you didn't lose power and hope the chocolate St Bernard calls on you regularly.

Steve Reed said...

Well, I'm glad you still have power! We don't have anything that dramatic going on here. Just gray skies and dampness!

e said...

We have no snow though it has been wet and cool...a raincoat would do here, along with a jacket. Have a good day and I like the idea of chelate rather than booze though soup might be better.

only slightly confused said...

We've got the snow/deep freeze/that/rain/snow thing going on. Fun isn't it ??

Joanne Noragon said...

It will get better before it gets worse. But, we're over winter's hump, remember. Sliding into spring. With snow.

Red said...

We don't have any rain, just snow. It's minus 21 c this morning and snowing. No St. bernards around here, but I do like t bernards.

jenny_o said...

Hah! I'm smiling at the thought of an entire swimming pool with ice. Even a kiddie pool!

The only problem with regular chocolate deliveries is that soon I would be a (bigger) blimp. Too bad it has so many calories.

jenny_o said...

The snow does have one good effect - everything is so bright, even at night. But that's all I can think of that's good :)

jenny_o said...

Soup would definitely be more healthy - much better for me. I need to remember that.

jenny_o said...

It's ... interesting :)

jenny_o said...

January is the longest month, I find, and ... it's more than a week gone already! Why, it IS almost spring, you optimist you!

jenny_o said...

They are beautiful animals, aren't they? It's cold here today, as forecast. Keep warm!

Jono said...

The only way to get around it is hibernation. I'm thinking I should learn how.

dinthebeast said...

I used to know a St. Bernard named Crown, and he was a very smart animal. Really big, also.
We're currently in between storms and there's a little sunlight coming through the blinds, but we're finally getting some much needed rain here. Four or five local rivers are at or above flood stage already, and more rain is on the way. The soaked ground combined with the gusty wind is dropping trees all over the place and some folks had to be rescued from the roofs of their cars on 101 up by where my friend Brenda lives. We may venture out to the grocery store a little later (or sooner if we're smart; before the next wave hits) but I keep thinking of my friends who live a little farther East where the weather is getting serious: Zsuzs lives right next to Yosemite, where all the roads in and out are closed due to the Merced river, and Sara is up in Truckee where 80 is closed due to a mudslide "the size of a football field" and several feet of snow have either already fallen or are on the way. This all used to be normal conditions in winter, but the drought has been around for so long that we're out of practice...

-Doug in Oakland

Diane Stringam Tolley said...

In Edmonton, we've had very little snow. I'd be happy if you sent some my way. Oh, and you can send the dog anyway. We LOVE St. Bernards!

Rambler said...

Here in Cornwall, UK, it's cloudy and rainy, but quite mild for our winter season . . . . 12 degrees F today. I have had open doors and windows today, until the sun started to go down about 4.30pm, then it was time to close the house and turn the heating on for a short time. But I'd love to be visited by a friendly St.Bernard, especially if he was bringing chocolate!

jenny_o said...

What's to learn? Eat, eat, eat and then sleep, sleep, sleep. Sounds easy, at least in theory ... let us know how it goes, eh?

jenny_o said...

Oh wow, Doug, I didn't realize you folks were getting severe weather. Now I've been to some news sites and read up on it. Stay safe there, okay?

jenny_o said...

It's a package deal, Diane - snow and dog :)

jenny_o said...

I love being able to open up the house for a bit in the winter; it's just so nice to get the fresh air inside!

Sam said...

Doug, what are you talking about?

jenny_o said...

Sam, I'll answer you in case Doug can't. They are having heavy rainstorms in California, and some of the results are described in Doug's comment. See here for more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/storms-northern-nevada-nocal-1.3927041

Sam said...

Thank you Jenny, and Doug!

jenny_o said...

:)

Martha said...

It's been up and down around here. One day it's freezing cold, the next day it's mild. Some days we have snow, other days we have rain, others it's dry. Crazy!

jenny_o said...

At least you won't get bored ... :) But it's hard to adjust between cold and mild, I find. It's harder to stand the cold when it's not a regular thing.

baili said...

i am glad that you did not loose the power !
i feel sorry to hear about as much freezy around you friend.
but i wish ,pray and believe that it will end soon and you will take bath with warm sun rays falling upon you .
here since few days snowfall in northern areas of our country effected this south area [which is very very hot normally]and sun seems to loose it's warmth as if he has caught a cold too .yet we see sun through the fug and feel safe from hotness of 48 centigrade temperature of May ,June,July ,August and September .
here we experience normal and bearable weather only in March,April ,October and November .
wishing you a nice and pleasant weather dear friend .
take care ,
hugs!

jenny_o said...

I think I would rather the cold weather than your very hot weather, baili! I never feel well in our summer heat (which is only 30C to 33C, usually). Perhaps it is all what we get used to as we are growing up. Wishing you pleasant weather, also, my friend! Thank you for your kind comments.

Diane Stringam Tolley said...

And you? I have the hot chocolate on . . .

jenny_o said...

I'll be right there!

Yorkshire Pudding said...

Nature is being quite kind to us in Yorkshire, England which is of course the centre of the known universe. So far this has been a very mild winter and some spring bulbs are already poking through... but this has happened before. Winter is not over by a long way...

jenny_o said...

You got that right, YP. Don't look now ...

Chicken said...

He does look like he's wading through an icy pond.We got about a foot of snow last weekend, but weather being what it is nowadays, it's all gone and pretty mild, but I could still go for pools, sunshine and frozen drinks.

jenny_o said...

Last weekend's snow is mostly gone here as well. As much as I like not having to get around in the snow, the weather is worrisome.

The Happy Whisk said...

Really been weird here. Below freezing and then rain, then ice, then a bit of spring and then winds. I dunno, it's wild. Happy Weekend.

jenny_o said...

It's been the same everywhere, it seems. Wild is a good name for it. Have a good weekend yourself :)

The Happy Whisk said...

Thanks. Will do. Hubby has three days off this weekend, the fridge is stocked and we don't have anywhere to be. Heaven, I say. Heaven.

jenny_o said...

I agree! My idea of bliss.