Dan Antion

Snookered – #1LinerWeds

Maddie has us very well trained. Sometimes, she is particular about whether I need to take her out or the Editor has to take her. Sometimes, it doesn’t matter. Monday, it mattered.

It had snowed overnight Sunday into Monday. I spend several hours clearing the driveway and sidewalk of 8″(20cm) of heavy wet snow before going to work (which had opened at 10:00 am). I came home, and I sat with Maddie, as is required. After a few minutes, Maddie got up and went to the door, then came to me, then jumped up on the couch, off the couch and back to the door, and then back to me and the couch.

I got the message.

I put on a pair of boots, my winter coat, hooked up the pup and out we went. We got as far as the steps, and Maddie stopped. The sun was shining. It wasn’t warm, but the sun felt warm. She looked up as if to say:

“Can we just sit here for a while?”

Then she sat.

Then I sat.

“This is nice.”

Pretty soon she was laying in the sun and sniffing the entire world.

This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s fun weekly series One-Liner Wednesday. If you have a one-liner, I’d encourage you to join in on the fun. You can follow this link to participate and to see the one-liners from the other participants.

The gallery has a few pictures from the morning adventure clearing the mess and a few from the steps.

Looking out at the job ahead. It is pretty.
The plow made its first pass pushing snow to the other side (yay). The side that gets the first pass gets about 70% of the snow.
The snow was so sticky, it filled in most of the fence.
The Big Green Egg is covered.
Part of me thinks, “aw, how pretty.” Part of me thinks, “this stuff is going to be hard to clear.”
The first pass is the hardest. Now it’s time to clear the end of the driveway.
This snow stuck to everything. Very pretty.
That’s our sidewalk under there. I hope I can find it.
There’s a method behind the pattern by which the driveway is cleared.
Great River Park
I got to work around 10:00am. Great River Park hadn’t been plowed yet.
“This is nice.”
We sat in the sun for about 15 minutes.
“I’m gonna lay here for a while.”
“Did you say something?” “No, Maddie, go back to sniffing.”
Snoopy’s home has a hat.
This time next week, the sun will be even higher. #DST
MiMi is enjoying the fire, but not the photographer.

82 comments

  1. Thanks to Maddie and the red plough I see these are not black and white photos. In the photos it’s pretty for sure, in life I prefer my blues and greens right now. It had to be a bit cold sitting out like this, no?

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    • I’m glad you enjoy these. This wasn’t a huge snowstorm, we’ve had storms that dropped much more snow, but this was very heavy – good snowman snow – as we would have said when we were kids. Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the tweet!

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  3. I’d don’t blame Maddie at all. I too would take one look at that snow and decide to hunker down instead. It may be pretty at first, but then I want it to go away. Given how much snow we have, I think that will be a long while.

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    • You’re encouraging her, Joanne. She eventually got up and ventured into the yard, but she loves to just sit in the sun, sniff and look around. We don’t have a lot of snow, but it’s been hanging around, or melting and turning into ice overnight. You guys have a lot more – see you in April.

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  4. Aw, the cozy sunbathing position for Madie is so heart-warming! It was a pretty snow storm. I chuckled at how you’ve got the precision down so well – the plows leave 70% to the side they go down first, and how you have a method to the madness when clearing. You’re well experienced and do nice work. In case you don’t have plans for the weekend, you’re welcome to stop by and help Mr. clear our driveway yet again – we’re expecting 8-12″ again on Saturday – Sunday.

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    • Ha ha – I think I’ll wait for the pictures. It’s funny, but it feels so good to see the plow make that first pass while pushing the snow to the other side. I have to avoid blowing the snow onto our ramp and porch and the path we clear for the mailman. The pattern has evolved over time, but it’s routine now.

      One last snow storm before you head south? I hope he gets your “cleared for departure” on time.

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      • You sound scientific about it like Mr. It’s an art, that’s for sure! Yes, one more &%(*#(#)@ storm and then one sleep and then we’ll be on our way!

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    • Ha! I’d never be able to talk the Editor into heading south.I’m not sure I’d like 85 degrees days right now, either. I do like the four seasons. There’s something special about feeling warm when there’s a bunch of snow on the ground – I guess Maddie thinks so, too,

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      • We’ll be having about 3 more days of ‘winter’, so they tell us. But it is actually more like a spring 50 – 75*. At least i can finally turn the AC off!!

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  7. The snow photos look very familiar, although it’s much less than around here. We’ll send you more of this stuff after the weekend so Miss Maddie has a higher mountain to climb.

    I’m waiting for the spring warm-up to happen so I can go out and sit in the sun, just like your pup. It will feel sooooo good this year.

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    • This is one time I don’t mind you guys having an insurmountable lead. BTW, does Aaron need a good wide receiver to throw to? We have one going cheap. He’s a bit of a loon, but, good hands.

      We have another “wintry mix” coming Sat/Sun – I am really getting tired of that phrase. I hope the sun come on strong, pretty soon and we’re all able to sit in it and enjoy it.

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      • I have no idea what the Packers are thinking, planning or doing. I only hope it’s good stuff for next season.

        Wintry mix…that’s what we had two weekends ago. I am not a fan!

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    • Ha ha – you’re so right, Judy. After we sat, she ventured into the snow, took care of business and went back inside to lay by the fire. It’s not a bad life. Looks like we have a little more coming this weekend. Still, the sun is shining (it’s 14f) and warmer days are coming.

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  9. Heavy wet snow is so pretty after it falls. Sticking to everything… it transforms the landscape.
    Funny, but your first picture looks so much like my view out the kitchen window I had to do a double take to make sure you hadn’t stolen it!

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  10. I love the word ‘snookered’! Our snow is melting so our roads and sidewalks are mostly clear. What we are dealing with is the cold: -20C windchill! (-4F). Winter is beautiful from inside. My new mantra is “Die Winter, Die! Actually they are calling for 7C (44F) by Sunday. That’s practically balmy!

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    • Thanks. I visited San Antonio last March, which was the first time since the early ’80s. You have a lot to appreciate in that area, but I’ll happily provide snow pictures.

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  13. I had to chuckle at Maddie….no worries, sweet girl. I am all bundled up, but we can just sit here….. We had freeze warnings last night and tonight. This morning at 6 it was 32. No snow. It does look pretty but….no.

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    • You’re getting closer to us. I think it was closer to 10 when I left at 6:00. Still, 32 might feel worse for you than 10 does to me. Regardless, Maddie knows what she wants – “I’ll just sit here in the sun.”

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  15. Hi Dan – sensible girl … and she knows who is boss … well worked out – but is a delight and really doesn’t seem to cause you or the Editor any hassle. I’m so pleased I have my gentle four seasons – now I’m back here … cheers Hilary

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    • Thanks Hilary. A “gentle four seasons” sounds nice. I don’t mind a bit of cold. Actually, this winter hasn’t been nearly as bad as some. In any case, Maddie has it worked out.

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  16. You were indeed snookered. It looks like spring is coming back. It is supposed to get up to 50 on Sunday and stay in the lower 40s the rest of the week. Supposed. We will see. Stay warm.

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    • I was, John. We’ll be a day behind you, but yes, heading toward upper 40s next week. I’m guessing March still has a few surprises for us, but I doubt she can sustain a run at below freezing for much longer.

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  18. I’m with Maddie: give me a patch of sunshine and I’m in heaven. Your winter pics are beautiful. I wondered if they were b&w, but then I saw a patch of blue (and read a reply about just a few being b&w). It’s hard to believe that all that snow will disappear at some point and you’ll find grass and flowers hiding underneath.

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    • We had several storms with small amounts of snow but very high winds, so we’ll find a lot of sticks under there, too. The sun does feel good, and Maddie seems to be ready to start the sitting season.

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  22. Maddie has it down to an art….”C’mon dad, let’s just bask in the warm sun for awhile.” The redhead knows what’s best for you Dan, even if you don’t! Clearly MiMi has no interest in the snow whatsoever. And MuMu not even looking for a brushing!

    Those winter scenes are beautiful…..until they aren’t! Our area mirrors your area, except we’re missing a Snoopy Bird House. It looks so cute with the mountain of snow on the roof.

    I sure hope you found your sidewalk! Lol.
    🐾Ginger 🐾

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    • Thanks Ginger. I did manage to find the sidewalk, but it took a couple attempts.

      Maddie knows how to manipulate me, that’s for sure. It was nice to sit for a bit. Pretty soon we’ll have her cot out there. MiMi likes the cold snaps as they mean fires in the stove. MuMu, yeah, she gets what she wants, too.

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  23. GORGEOUS pictures of that snow, Dan. Even though we would rather NOT see snow now, still and all, snow does make for dramatic pictures. As for Maddie …. I do believe she has YOU trained. LOL

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    • Thanks Amy. This was our first “big” snow storm since early November, and by the standard of most winters, it wasn’t big. I do like the beauty of it when it covers everything. I think Maddie is ready for spring.

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  24. 8 inches – jikes. Sorry you’re having so much extra work! Maddie’s idea of having a good time is I guess different that yours! (it sounds you didn’t want to leave her alone on the steps ….)

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    • Thanks Jesh. 8″ wouldn’t bi a “big storm” most winters. We usually get one storm that dumps over 20″ on us. Maddie is a bit of a special needs dog. She won’t go outside without us. She will play in the yard, but she often comes back to us to get her leash on. So, we have to be with her when she does her “business” and we have to sit with her, when she wants to sit.

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  26. It is SO pretty. SNOW pretty! We were out Saturday and it snowed a blanket and much as I’m tired of the crazy cold, I don’t tire of the snow. More snow yesterday. More snow tomorrow and Friday. Then just rain and regular cold, thanks.
    Maddie is right to enjoy some sunbeams – they do feel nice on the face :)

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    • Maddie took full advantage of having me at the end of the leash. I’m a sucker for a pretty girl, and she knows it. We haven’t had much snow this year. I can deal with snow, I just don’t want anymore ice.

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  29. I am so in love with these pictures. I wish I was there in real. I’m not sure if I can survive such cold weather but I want to try one day.

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    • It was 7°f (-13.9°c) when I left for work this morning. It’s been colder this winter, but not too many times. The cold days are preventing the snow from melting. We haven’t had much snow, but what we have had is still here.

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  30. That last heavy snowstorm was perfect for a snowman… nice and packable. I thought about it but that’s as far as I got. I looked for one at your house but I see your driveway and walkway had your full attention… and sweet Mattie.

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  34. Sorry you got hammered with snow. We got hammered with rain. We now have had 10 inches of rain more than ever before dumped on us. If you don’t live in our dinky little town, you have a septic tank. And if your septic tank doesn’t have a good flow, because of all the rain, you’re paying out the bucks to have serviced right now. The people in the business of septic tanks are making a mint this year.

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