Finally Finished - Part Two

This last storm is finally past leaving us with somewhere between 5 and 6 new inches of snow on top of the 11 inches from the other day. The good news is that this snow is much fluffier and significantly easier to shovel. My back was very happy about that fact. There were predictions of very cold temperatures (single digits at night) moving into the area but I just checked the forecast again and it seems to have been revised upwards (to the 20s and teens) from the last time I checked. There is still one night in the single digits but not the whole week. That is very good as far as I am concerned. Right now there is no new snow on the horizon but I think we will be living with this snow for quite a while. So enjoy the day and I will keep you up to date on future weather developments.

A Parrot In The Woods

While we are waiting for this next snow storm to play out (just started snowing a couple of hours ago - 2 inches so far) here is a lovely story written by WCA member Johanna Jordan. Enjoy!

A Parrot in the Woods

 Once upon a time, a pretty long time ago, around l977, (Imagine! I was just 40! ) I spent a week in Woodland at our family summer cabin totally alone (and without a car). 

Wilderness!   I wanted to experience BEING alone, I had (and have) never lived alone.

It was probably June--cool enough to have a small fire in fireplace at night, warm enough in the day to be outside all day.  

Which is what I did, roaming the area, walking up the creek, climbing hillsides, following deserted trails, even animal (deer) trails,

with never a worry about getting lost: one walked downhill, down stream, and eventually get to something known.

I sat in sunshine outside and watched butterflies: it was a great week for them, I saw many species.  They seemed to be attracted to the yellow plastic chair I sat in.

I saw hummingbirds, one doing his nuptial dance, spectacular swoops and dives.

I ate and slept whenever I wanted to.  I wrote, I drew, I made photographs, I walked, I watched, I observed.  I was quiet.  I talked to a few friends on the phone, not much.

I enjoyed  my time.  I experienced myself.

One day when I was walking about looking for dry wood for a fire, I heard a loud whoosh, sounding like the wings of a large bird.  I looked up,

and there was a magnificent parrot--sitting on a branch close to me.  It was red, green, blue, yellow, and very beautiful. It looked as big as a hawk or vulture.  It looked at me.

I held out my arm, purely instinctively, and it flew down onto my arm!  What was a tropical bird doing in the deep forest of the Catskill Mountains?

And what was it doing sitting on my arm?  Clearly it was tame, it did not fly away, and I could walk with it on my arm, feeling like a queen with a talking bird.

It did not talk.  At least, it did not talk to me.  I walked with it a bit, liking the feeling of the weight of the big bird as it adjusted its balance.

It would fly up into the tree branches, but return to my arm when I held it out. Soon I had walked to my neighbor's house, and they came out to marvel at the bird.

It seems they had heard about a resident further down the road who kept such a bird and had lost it.  So they called and arranged for it to be picked up.

It stayed around the neighbor's house for a few days, proved thoroughly tame (they said it ate off their plates at mealtime!) and eventually was reunited with its owners.

I was not at all reluctant to let it go; I wanted to continue my Experience.  And I did.

Jj 12/21/12   

Rick Altman Tomorrow At Harmony

Here is something fun to do besides dig out from the snow. The Rick Altman Trio is playing tomorrow night in Woodstock. Sounds like it will be a great evening of music. Here is what Rick had to say.

New Year's Eve is for amateurs, so come out this Sunday night instead, for jazz in Woodstock at Harmony.  Mike DeMicco will be joining in on guitar.  See the flyer for all the particulars, or you can always check www.rickaltman.com  

Finally Finished

It was a long day of digging out and cleaning up. The final total for this storm was somewhere between 10 and 11 inches (at least at my house). The snow was on the wet side and fairly heavy. I got a good workout just shoveling today.

Be very careful if you are coming to the valley over the weekend. In a lot of places there is a layer of ice underneath the snow and if you aren't careful it can send you or your vehicle sliding. I myself slid my car into the ditch on the side of my driveway and remained there until a wonderful young neighbor (thanks Brad!!) pulled me out.

Woodland Valley Road is fairly clear at this point. The town plows have been up and down several times and the surface of the road has a nice layer of salt and sand. Don't forget that if you need that same salt and sand mixture for your driveway there is a pile of it in the back of Town Hall between the highway garage and the recycling area. It is free to all residents.

The forecast for the weekend is for more snow on Saturday. Right now they are only predicting about 2-4 inches of light fluffy stuff but they will know more tomorrow. They weather outlets are also predicting temps to drop into the 20s during the day and the teens at night after the storm passes. And they are saying that they think January is going to be very cold. So all the snow we have just gotten may be with us for quite a while.

Well, that's all for now. I will update you as much as possible on this next weather event.

Starting To Dig Out

Just got in from the first round of shoveling. There is about 10 inches on the ground and the snow is still falling. The photo above is of the bench on my back porch and shows the depth. Shoveling is a bit of a challenge because the the snow is on the heavy side. But shovel we must. Remember to take frequent breaks as you clear your sidewalks, car and other areas around your house.

The town plows have been out and about. And although I haven't been on the road yet myself, I have seen several cars go up and down in front of my house and they look like they were doing OK. Since the snow is still falling be careful if you have to travel. Even though the town keeps the roads as clear as possible, until the snow stops, they cannot make it completely safe.

We have been lucky so far; there have been no power,  phone or internet outages. The wind has been quiet and there is not huge amount of snow in the trees so I am hopeful that I can say the same thing tomorrow.

I will keep you posted.

Snowing Like Crazy

It started snowing around 5:00 pm tonight and it is still snowing as I type. The snow was heavy from the start. I would say we have about 5 inches at this point. There seems to be some differing predictions for the storm tracks on the various weather outlets. Some say it will go to the east and the precipitation will change to ice and sleet. Some say it will continue on it's northward track. I am not sure if a change would make things better or worse.

The winds have been fairly quiet so the snow has pretty much stayed where it has fallen. So far there has been no disruption of utilities. Let's hope that continues. I will try and post again in the morning to give you all an update.

White(ish) Christmas

Merry Christmas to all in the valley that celebrate. The snow that fell overnight was minor (less than an inch). It was largely gone in the lower valley by morning but there was a frosted glaze over the upper valley for most of the day. The heavy snow is supposed to move in tomorrow evening. The forecasts regarding snow fall amounts have shifted back and forth. It is going to depend on the behavior of the warm air that is coming into the region. I will try and give you updates as the weather unfolds. If I do not post for more than 2 days you can assume that the power has gone out and I am unable. Hopefully, the warm air will move through and there won't be too much too report. We'll see.

Whether the Weather Goes Hither or Thither

Sorry for not posting for a few days, the holiday madness seems to overtake me no matter how hard I try and avoid it. Anyway, the slush on the ground a few days ago did indeed freeze solid. We then got about another inch (or so) of snow that is lying on top. It is just enough to make seeing the ice a bit hard. So there are places that are quite slippery out there. We are now waiting for 3 (yes, I said 3) different storms to hit the Hudson Valley area.

The first one is predicted to start tonight and go into tomorrow. It is not expected to be bad. The forecast is for anywhere between 1-4 inches. The second storm however, may dump a significant amount of snow on us depending on where the storm tracks. If it goes north and west we will probably only see about 1-3 inches. Unfortunately, if it moves slightly to the south and east we could get as much as a foot on Wednesday night into Thursday. They are not sure if the precipitation will fall as snow or if it will be a snow/sleet/rain event (aka wintery mix). But whatever the case may be, it sounds like a mess.

There is also talk of another storm following those two over next weekend. So fasten your seat belts looks like we are in for a bumpy weather week.

A Slushy Mess

A couple of inches of wet snow fell last night followed by a lot of rain. It has made for a slushy mess in the valley. The temperatures are forecasted to drop back down into the 20s and 30s so all sloppy snow has the potential of turning to ice.  For those of you who are coming for the weekend be very careful when you get out of your car it may be slippery.

More Phun In Phoenicia on Sunday

Besides the fun that is planned for Saturday in Phoenicia (see previous post) some local folks (including WCA members Margaret Braun & Richard Cohen) are throwing a little shindig at Morne Imports on Sunday. Since Sweet Sue's has been closed, the town businesses have been struggling more than usual. So stop by Morne Imports (and the other great Phoenicia stores too) and pick up some last minute holiday gifts. Buying local helps to keep our town thriving! Here are the details that Margaret and Richard sent for the event.

Holiday soirée at Marietta's!!

WHEN : This Sunday, December 23rd
from 4:00 - 7:00 pm

WHERE: Morne's Imports, Phoenicia

WHY:  Because we love our town and cherish our local merchants.

Sweets & egg nog & all our last minute Christmas shopping on Main Street!

And bring the little ones. Word is Santa Claus will be there because he needs mittens and galoshes too..

Hope to see you all,

Friends of Marietta :)