Ice Storm, Day 4: Power and Clean Up

The snow, which then turned to ice on Thursday still looked like hard frosting in the yard and pasture yesterday.

The power "people" are having a hard time trying to repair broken lines with ice still on the ground.  BUT last night around 10PM I looked out the front window and instead of pitch black, I saw some lights in the distance!  We checked and indeed, we had power!  However, as I write this Post, the people behind us don't have power, nor do many of the (entire) towns in our area.

Our driveway was covered with limbs and branches.  We spent most of today trying to clean it up.  This is where I like to throw the ball for Hank.  He loves to fly down the hill after the ball.

But there are pieces of branches that have been impaled into the ground, some are 6 - 8" down and hard to pull out.  Until I'm sure they are all removed, there can't be any ball throwing in this area.

It seems like every branch has a sharpness to it.

Looking down our drive and the results of our efforts to clean today.

Looking up the drive and the work still left to do.

The paddock where I ride... 

Lots of work to do before I can ride in there...

We will try to save what we can of this plum tree.  It provides such great morning shade in the summer.

Just as this tree has provided such great shade on summer afternoons...

As I have been writing this Post my husband has been making sure that all the tools we used in the last 4 days are ready to go again at a moment's notice.  The weather forecast tonight is for 50 mph winds with another storm coming in on Tuesday with even higher winds.  With so many broken branches hanging in trees (some of them are huge), we could very likely lose our power once more.  Not sure we're finished with our weather challenges.

Liebster Blog Award

Thank you Story @ http://allgearnoskill.blogspot.com for the above award (I hope I followed the directions correctly on what I'm supposed to do)!

I'm told Liebster means “dearest” in German, and the award is intended to help up-and-coming blogs get the attention they deserve. Here are the rules:

1. Copy and paste the award on your blog
2. Link back to the blogger who gave you the award
3. Pick your five favorite blogs with less than 200 followers, and leave a comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award.
4. Hope that the five blogs chosen will keep spreading the love and pass it on to five more blogs

http://mrscravitz.blogspot.com/

http://allensparklodge.blogspot.com/

http://4rranch.blogspot.com/

http://onceuponanequine.blogspot.com/

http://ranchgirldiaries.blogspot.com/

I had a hard time making choices - there are so many great Blogs out there that I enjoy!

Ice Storm, Day 3: Getting Creative with What You Have

When it gets to the third day without power one gets creative:

My current kitchen.  Even has chairs for guests!

We call these "the twins".  They've given us power for a few lights, fridge and freezer, the TV and internet.  A larger generator, which we call "Big Wally", has been set up to run the pump for our Well, but only on a periodic basis.

We use an open window in the family room to feed power into the house from "the Twins", sealing the crack in the window with Duct Tape (of course)!

Electrical cords running into the family room from the window.  This is how we have kept warm.  Initially it's hard to keep remembering to bring in wood or add it to the stove.  But as the days progress it becomes second nature. 

The snapping of trees put all of our animals on edge and phone calls from neighbors reflect frightened "stray" animals showing up on doorsteps.  Hank has barely left my side for the last three days.  Gus and Bob have been safe inside their stalls.

The cords from "the Twins" run into the kitchen where they connect to the fridge and a lamp from the living room which provides light at night.

This is the end of the road for the power cords from "the Twins", arriving in the dining room, where I've set up my laptop.  I actually worked here Thursday, completing a short notice project while trees snapped around us.  Note Hank the Dog under the table, sticking close to me.

As I finish this Post I can hear the generators and chain saws outside.  Neighbors are lending a hand to fellow neighbors, including my husband, out there helping move tree limbs off our road.  That's the way of it up here, you hunker down until the danger is past, then go out and help each other. 

There is word of a "sighting", which means a power truck has been spotted in our area.  Word passes from farm to farm. 

Hopes rise that help is near.  Maybe if we're lucky, tonight we can take a shower, do laundry, cook in our (real) kitchen and listen to the lovely sound of the furnace heating the entire house.  If not, that's ok - we'll get by just fine.

Ice Storm Day 2: As the Ice Melts

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

But...

Our Special Tree - Before

After...

Hunkering Down

One of the plum trees in my yard yesterday.

The same tree in my yard today...smashed from heavy ice.

I've been home since Sunday, consequences of snow and ice.  I was going to write a Post about Cabin Fever but yesterday afternoon the freezing rains started.  As of this writing (almost noon the next day), it's still coming down. 

Everything outside is coated with a thick layer of ice.  I could hear the trees making small crackling sounds when I went out to feed last night.  I know that sound (see prior post about the cabin) and I knew we were in for trouble.

 My lilac tree...

Bob and Gus are safely in their stalls, but unsettled from the sharp sound of snapping trees all around us.

I'm running my laptop and internet router via a generator.  We lost power at 6AM (no power, no water).  The news reports that 180,000 of us are in the same boat (and the ice is still falling).  The restoration efforts will first concentrate on the higher populated areas...which means it will probably be days before we get power back.

So we hunker down and wait...

Winter Lessons From the Cabin

This picture was taken a few days ago.  We are currently in the midst of some aggressive winter weather which initially brought us temps in the teens and covered everything with ice.  As of this writing we have about four inches of snow.  Predictions are for high winds and an additional foot of snow in the next two days.  Hang onto your hats! 

Growing up with a cabin in the mountains has exposed me to lots of interesting situations when it comes to weather.  I've seen my share of summer storms but the lessons learned from going to the cabin in the winter come to mind as I sit here watching it snow:

Winter Lesson #1:  Upon arrival you may find the above scenario. Always bring a shovel with you (because you sure as heck aren't going to get one out of the cabin). 

Winter Lesson #2:  Use shovel to clear chimney of snow.  A ladder will not be necessary to access the roof.

Once chimney is free, use shovel to access front door (via front porch).  Grab the roofline and swing/walk (slide) down onto the front porch.  Enter cabin.

Winter Lesson #3:  Once in cabin proceed to heat source and activate.  Leave the water turned off....

This is a good time to reflect on your last visit to the cabin.  When you last left, did you 1) turn off the water; 2) turn off and drain hot water tank and 3) add RV antifreeze to the toilet and drains in shower/sinks?

If you did, move on to Winter Lesson #4. 

If you did not, deactivate heat source and return to Go (as in Go Home).  Do not return to cabin until late Spring with new pipes, hot water tank and toilet bowl.

Winter Lesson #4:  Using your newly established entry, grab roof line and return outside to front of cabin with shovel in hand.  Remove snow from cabin windows, giving you an escape route should there be a fire.

Winter Lesson #5:  Slide back down onto the front porch and into cabin.  Upon entry you should experience a sense of heat from your previous heat activation efforts in Winter Lesson #3 above.

If so, proceed to turn on water until it runs through all taps (only then should you turn on hot water tank.)  Proceed to Winter Lesson #6. 

If you do not experience heat, troubleshoot heat issue for a period not to exceed approximately two hours.  If the issue is still unresolved return to Go (as in Go Home).  Do not return to cabin until late Spring with resolved heat source.

In addition, if you experience water leaks from pipes or fixtures, troubleshoot using whatever comes in handy from the cabin and/or via any kind neighbor who may be in residence at their own cabin.  If leaks cannot be resolved, turn off water; deactivate heat source and return to Go (as in Go Home).  Do not return to cabin until late Spring with replacement parts.

Winter Lesson #6:  If you are successful in the prior Winter Lessons, you may now return to your vehicle.  Always make sure you park your vehicle in a safe place, away from snow plows and traffic.

You may now proceed to unpack your vehicle and move your "provisions" into the cabin.  It's suggested that you beg, plead or barter with any individual you come upon with a snowmobile to assist you with this task.

However, if you find you are alone in this task and must walk, it is suggested one walk on defined snow tracks via fresh snow to avoid one (and their belongings) from sinking to their waist or higher. 

At this time you may experience thirst from your previous efforts.  It is highly suggested that no matter how thirsty one is, that they do not consume yellow snow.

Enjoy your stay.

The Head Game

I had forgotten about the Head Game...

I had forgotten that in the past, when I've tragically lost a horse, something inside of me has also been lost. 

It's the part of me that strives to keep my confidence high. 

And it's the part of me that has worked so hard to ride the "right way", using my legs, sitting back, and keeping my body fluid.

Above are the four horses I've lost in the last 24 months.  Champ in picture #1, followed by Cisco and Bear in Picture #2 and recently Poco, pictured above.

Last Monday I hauled Bob back to the barn where I used to board.  The same barn where I had such a great time last summer riding in Ladies Nights.  The same barn where once upon a time I used to ride three of those awesome horses...

I hadn't been up on Bob since November due to weather and commitments, staying home safe and sound when the roads were icy.  But with recent mild weather I had decided it was time to go back to work - and I couldn't wait to start riding again.

I had forgotten about the Head Game.  Although my confidence level hadn't hit empty, it was lower than any other time I'd ridden Bob - and he picked up on it.  The poor horse had lost his leader and he was skittish and jumpy.

I asked Rachel to ride Bob first.  I told her that I felt we needed to take some steps backwards as we returned to lessons.  She rode Bob for most of this lesson. 

Towards the end of the lesson it was my turn to ride and then cool out Bob.  I found myself  unsure when I first got on.  This is not unusual.  The commitment of swinging my leg over the saddle has always been the biggest challenge for me.  But the uncertainty disappears as soon as I'm on and moving, replaced with confidence and joy. 

Not this time.  I remained tentative, riding horribly, like a piece of cardboard.  Bending and twisting my body and arms when turning, leaning forward.  I felt awkward, like a glob of putty on Bob's back.  It was ugly.  No matter what I tried to do, it was like weights were on my arms and legs.

When I finished I got off and immediately noted the lack of elation I usually have after I ride.  Usually the first thing I do is a little jig and dance, then throw my arms around Bob to thank him for the great ride.  That day I absently patted Bob's neck and just stood there - I was flat.

It was then that I remembered that I've been here before on my first few rides after losing each of those beloved horses.  With the loss of Poco, only last month, the Head Game has returned.

I will beat this Head Game, finding what I've lost, just as I have in the past.

And I be a better rider because of it. 

But for the next few rides I know I'll be fighting the Head Game with each step.