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colorful sunset

Up, Down and Up Again – 1LinerWeds

Dan Antion
1 minute
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On Sunday, the weather forecast was calling for 7-15″ (18-38 cm) of snow. The national weather service (NOAA) issued a Winter Storm Watch. Schools were cancelled, trash collection was postponed and the local electric utility made robocalls telling us to charge our devices and avoid downed power lines.

On Monday, NOAA changed the Storm Watch to a Winter Weather Advisory and lowered the predicted amount to 1-3″. We went to bed. At 3:00 am Tuesday, it hadn’t started snowing yet. Sometime after 4:00 am, the snow began. It didn’t stop until noon. By the time it was done snowing, we had 8″ (20cm) of heavy wet snow on the ground.

“This is why I own a snowblower.”

One-Liner Wednesday by Linda G. Hill

You can click on any photo to start a slide show.

Two squirrels on tree
These guys were running all over this tree
Squirrel on malbox
“Hi. There’s a storm coming. We’d like to stock up, if you have some peanuts”
Squirrel in hole in tree
“Please leave the peanuts at the base of the tree.”
Black squirrel
Smokey has his peanut but this one is skittish
Squirrel burying a peanut
This guy is burying his peanut
Snow storm
Early during the storm
Bunny tracks
The bunny came up the steps and under the porch
Snow fallen off roof onto AC compressor
This is why I built that structure to cover the compressor
Path in snow
Path for the mailman and space for the birdseed up by the porch
First pass with snowblower
That first pass is always the hardest
Animal tracks in snow
Birds, bunnies and squirrels. It’s like they had a dance
Snow on dogwood branch
The snow stuck to everything
Snow covering everything
More than predicted
Taillights in the fog
This car disappeared in the fog
colorful sunset
The day before the storm we had a nice sunset
Flag in fog
I could hardly see the flag

Books on Gateway Clipper

Knuckleheads — The Evil You Choose — When Evil Chooses You — Secrets held Against Evil

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Bridge to Nowhere

88 responses to “Up, Down and Up Again – 1LinerWeds”

  1. Sharukh Bamboat Avatar
    Sharukh Bamboat

    Do you guys experience power outages if the weather is perfectly clear?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      We don’t have outages very often, although we had several that lasted multiple days (about 10 years ago). They are usually caused by high winds bringing trees down on significant power lines. The worst was a freak snow storm about 12 years ago when about a foot of snow fell in October when the trees still had leaves. Among other damage, the weight of the snow brought down the feeder lines that cross the Connecticut River, supplying our town. It took 10 days to restore power due to the equipment that had to be brought in. Since then, utility companies have been aggressively trimming trees and replacing poles and wires.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  2. Oddment Avatar
    Oddment

    So beautiful, and so dangerous! That guy peeking out from the tree has the right idea. Yes, thank goodness for snow blowers; that wet stuff is the best for making snowmen but also the best for sprained backs.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      That little guy definitely has the right idea. I’m like his Door Dash driver. I have to shovel the ramp and the steps, and that was very heavy. I should learn to do that a few times during the storm.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. Oddment Avatar
        Oddment

        So you did have to shovel. Yikes. That’s nasty business with that weight.

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          It wasn’t bad at first. I generally am able to push the snow off the surfaces and into the path of the snowblower. There are portions of the ramp that I have to shovel. But, later in the day. the snow fell off the roof like an avalanche. It hits the little part that kicks out at the bottom and lands hard on the ramp. That stuff is hard to shovel because it’s packed down by its own weight.

          Liked by 3 people

          Reply
          1. Oddment Avatar
            Oddment

            I can’t even imagine. I’ve shoveled heavy snow in my life, but that sounds like granite.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Dan Antion Avatar
              Dan Antion

              Yeah. You have to jam the shovel down into it and break off a small chunk. I’d complain except I built the roof and the ramp.

              Liked by 1 person

          2. Teagan Riordain Geneviene Avatar
            Teagan Riordain Geneviene

            I remember that avalanche sound in DC. The rowhouse was so tall that it built momentum on the way down… Remind me not to complain about a solid 6 weeks of 100+ degree heat, if that happens again this year.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Dan Antion Avatar
              Dan Antion

              Haha – I stopped complaining about the weather, Teagan. I just remember that it can always be worse.

              Like

  3. Sherry Felix Avatar
    Sherry Felix

    Looking out my window in lower Manhattan the snow is gone. I bet your snow isn’t.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Ours will be here for a while, Sherry. You guys are in your own climate zone.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  4. John Holton Avatar
    John Holton

    I should have been a weatherman. It must be nce to be that wrong and be able to shrug my shoulders and say “oh, well…”

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      And be paid well on top of that, John. It’s crazy. Crazier is the (over)reaction of towns. They were already cancelling stuff on Sunday. I guess their panic worked for them this time.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  5. Ginger Salvatore Avatar
    Ginger Salvatore

    Great one-liner! We wound up with about 10” of incredibly heavy wet snow. A neighbor shovels us out now because we physically can’t do it any more. The poor birds and squirrels were in a panic because their breakfast wasn’t served on time! Sheeesh! 🤗

    I think the skittish Smokey won’t be that way for long. He’s found his goldmine!

    God bless whoever invented the snowblower. What a life, and back, saver!

    Thankfully we didn’t lose power.

    Happy ❤️ Day to you and the Editor Dan.

    Ginger💞

    Sent from my iPad

    >

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      When I cleared the path for the mailman and delivery guys, I cleared a large area where we toss birdseed. The birds didn’t waste any time getting there.

      The black squirrels were living in the trees our neighbor took down. This one is coming from a few houses down the street. I think he’ll soon realize that it’s worth the walk.

      My snowblower didn’t like this stuff. I got the driveway and sidewalk cleared, but it was so heavy and wet that I had to clear a few clogs.

      It’s a good idea to have someone do the heavy lifting, Ginger. This stuff wasn’t good for backs and shoulders. Take care.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread Avatar
    Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread

    We were getting 6-12″, then 1-3″, and in reality we did not get a single flake. With all the technology at hand to predict weather, it is still fickle. Yes, to having a snowblower. :-)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I don’t understand how this worked, Judy. It was a Nor’easter, so I assumed you guys would get dumped on. The snowbower didn’t like the heavy wet snow, but it got the job done.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  7. Rivergirl Avatar
    Rivergirl

    In lieu of spring bunnies, mailbox squirrel is my official winter favorite. It’s impossible to resist that little peanut beggar.
    We missed out on that weird northeast storm and didn’t receive a single flake of snow but the wind is howling like crazy right now and it’s frigid!
    🥶

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      He is hard to resist. And, if we don’t notice him on the mailbox, he climbs on the door and peeks in the window!

      I don’t know how a Nor’easter passed over you guys and dumped this much snow on us.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Rivergirl Avatar
        Rivergirl

        That’s so sweet. Maybe you should invite him in… and give him a seat at the dining room table.
        It looks like that storm hit the Boston area and went east, right out to sea.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          My wife keeps telling him he can come in. (she’s kidding) I can’t begin to imagine the havoc they would cause inside.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Rivergirl Avatar
            Rivergirl

            But it would be oh so blog worthy…

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            1. Dan Antion Avatar
              Dan Antion

              Ha ha – I’m sure.

              Like

  8. GP Avatar
    GP

    At least you tried to get the flag! The squirrels aren’t worried – you’re there to take care of them.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It’s in there, somewhere, GP. Yeah, the squirrels beg in advance (they seem to be better forecasters than NOAA) and they are out as soon as the storm ends. We only ever have one or two that come out during a storm.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    They rarely get it right! Good thing you have a snowblower. Thanks for the snow photos.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I shovel the driveway when we only have a little snow, but for heavy wet stuff like this, I use the machine. My shoulders would complain too much, Jennie. The squirrels and birds seem to always know when a storm is coming and when it’s done snowing.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jennie Avatar
        Jennie

        Our snowblower is a staple. I’ve always been fascinated about how animals know when a storm is coming. They have given farmers a warning for centuries, right?

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          Yes they have, Jennie. We always pay attention to them.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Jennie Avatar
            Jennie

            😀

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  10. Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections Avatar
    Frank @ Beach Walk Reflections

    Of heavy snow? YUK! A toast to snowblowers! Afterall, it’s noon somewhere.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Ha ha – that’s true, Frank. I should have said, this is why I keep it tuned up.

      Like

      Reply
  11. Frank Hubeny Avatar
    Frank Hubeny

    I like the picture of Smokey’s face in the hollow of the tree. He has a great place to live and doesn’t have to plow the snow.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      And he’s so darn cute, he gets food delivered for free :-)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Gwen M. Plano Avatar
    Gwen M. Plano

    Oh, gosh, I remember the snowy days during my ten years in the Fairfield area. My snowblower was my prized position. It topped my microwave. 😄

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      When you need it, Gwen, there’s nothing that can take its place.

      Like

      Reply
      1. Gwen M. Plano Avatar
        Gwen M. Plano

        👍🏼

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  13. circadianreflections Avatar
    circadianreflections

    The first pass the hardest! Then I get my rhythm. That’s a lot of snow, but oh, it’s beautiful! I hope you both got in a long nap that morning or afternoon.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I didn’t get a nap, but I went to bed early :-)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. John Hric Avatar
    John Hric

    Heavy wet snow. My favorite kind of surprise. And often no fun, even with a snow blower.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I had to clear clogs a few times, John. All of a sudden, the machine starts pushing the snow out in front. The snow has turned to pudding on the auger.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Jacqui Murray Avatar
    Jacqui Murray

    I’m cold just looking at these! Both my kids live in Maryland. Worked was cx’d. What a storm!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Everything around here was cancelled. People can work from home, but you have to get this stuff out of the way.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. John Hric Avatar
        John Hric

        Or as I like to refer to it the slushy machine on wheels…

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          Ha ha!

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  16. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Phew! I cannot remember the last time I saw 8″ of snow. I think there may have been what NC considers a monster storm back when the kids were little. My husband took his dad’s tractor around the neighborhood scraping people’s driveways — none of us would have had a snowblower. It sounds handy!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Unless you have someone who comes and plows, you need a machine here. Especially for the sidewalk. We don’t have a lot of grass between the street and sidewalk, so the plow puts another foot of snow on the walk for us. We have 24 hours to clear it.

      Like

      Reply
  17. Author Jan Sikes Avatar
    Author Jan Sikes

    While the snow is beautiful, I don’t envy you, Dan. We’re sitting in sunshine and 60s today. :) Great photos!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      We have sun today, Jan but less than half those degrees ;-) Once the sidewalk and driveway are clear, I like the snow to hang around a bit. Everything is pretty.

      Like

      Reply
  18. hilarymb Avatar
    hilarymb

    Hi Dan – sounds like it’s been difficult – beautiful as Jan says, but ‘horrid’ especially that sticky stuff – and yes love the photos and captions … so glad it’s not here! Cheers and happy clear up?! – Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Hilary. The sticky stuff is pretty on everything except the snowblower. I much prefer the light fluffy snow, but we take what we get. Driveways, sidewalks and roads are clear. Back to normal.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Ally Bean Avatar
    Ally Bean

    You got our snow. Not complaining, but we were told on Monday to prepare to hunker down on Tuesday, then nothing. Not one flake. And we have a snow thrower all ready to go.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It seems like everyone is telling me we got their snow. Maine, New Hampshire, Mass and now you (wherever you are). Maybe it went south after us. I was prepared to have the machine ready but end up using a shovel.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  20. Bruce@WOTC Avatar
    Bruce@WOTC

    Second snow of the year here, Dan. And…probably as heavy a snow as I’ve ever shoveled…although once the mid-February sun came out half of it disappeared and made me feel like my effort was not totally necessary. Birds, bunnies, and squirrels…oh my! I can report seeing two of the three yesterday in the snow – bunnies were probably resting up for Easter. Love the fog shots. Not such a fan of driving in it, but I always like the layer of mystery it drapes over everything.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I’m glad to hear someone else got some snow. Sorry about the unnecessary effort, Bruce. I’d love to let the sun take care of this, but our garage and house blocks the sun from a good portion of our driveway. I watch as my neighbor across the street’s snow melts, while ours freezes into a glacier. I like walking in the fog. I keep thinking of all the places I’d like to drive, but it didn’t look very safe.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Bruce@WOTC Avatar
        Bruce@WOTC

        Pretty much the same here, Dan. If I don’t shovel the top half of the driveway it freezes solid, as it sees zero sun all year. Meanwhile, the folks across the street watched most of their snow melt away without exerting themselves much at all. The sun did most all of their work.😎

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  21. Mae Clair Avatar
    Mae Clair

    Dan, your snow debacle sounds much like ours, although we got away with about 5-6″ of snow, and by the afternoon the sun was out and everything was melting.

    I LOVE that photo of the two squirrels on the tree!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      They built up the hype so much over the weekend, Mae. It was like the world was ending, and then, “oops, we were wrong.” Then they were wrong again. The squirrels chased each other all up and down that tree.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Mae Clair Avatar
        Mae Clair

        :)

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  22. Rebecca Cuningham Avatar
    Rebecca Cuningham

    Lively squirrels before the Snow! Great photos.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      They seem to know what’s coming better than NOAA.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Rebecca Cuningham Avatar
        Rebecca Cuningham

        Trust a squirrel weather report, I agree. Two weeks ago we saw a squirrel carrying extra leaves to its nest three trips in a row the night before a two day snow storm!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          We’ve seen them do that. In the fall, we always leave some leaves along the fence so they have supplies if they need them :-)

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  23. Tails Around the Ranch Avatar
    Tails Around the Ranch

    Even with gobs of Doppler radar and other predictors, it’s always a 50-50 chance weathermen will get it wrong. That storm sounds similar to the one that dumped nearly that much recently. Stay safe and cozy while it melts.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It started out very windy today, but we’re warm inside. I went out for a bit. All the sidewalks I walk in the morning are clear, as is the entrance to the park. Back to normal tomorrow.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  24. lois Avatar
    lois

    ‘Please leave the peanuts at the base of the tree’–cute photo!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      The cute photo is my tip. Delivery guy.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  25. JT Twissel Avatar
    JT Twissel

    I think weathermen try their best but Mother Nature loves to keep secrets! Be careful shoveling that snow!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Jan. Mother Nature seems to tell the birds and squirrels. They knew what was coming and they knew when it was over. I only had to shovel the ramp and steps – that was enough. The snowblower did a good job on the driveway and sidewalk.

      Like

      Reply
  26. Teagan Riordain Geneviene Avatar
    Teagan Riordain Geneviene

    Bushwa! That’s just awful Dan. I wish your snow blower could do everything. (I know you wish that too.) Do be careful. Shoveling is dangerous. Big hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It was a long slog, Teagan but the machine worked pretty well, and I went slow with the shoveling. The only really bad part was when the roof shed all its snow in one big dump onto the ramp. We often get little piles of snow on the ramp, but this was enough to make the ramp impassable. It happened just before I was coming in to shower. The snow covered about 10′ of the ram, so it wasn’t horrible, but…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Teagan Riordain Geneviene Avatar
        Teagan Riordain Geneviene

        Ugh! Just when you thought you had finished…

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  27. John W. Howell Avatar
    John W. Howell

    Great photos, Dan

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks John.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. Liz Gauffreau Avatar
    Liz Gauffreau

    Our snowblower got a good workout today.

    Like

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I think they like it hen that happens, Liz.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Liz Gauffreau Avatar
        Liz Gauffreau

        That could very well be!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  29. memadtwo Avatar
    memadtwo

    I love all the footprints in the snow. Our snow is already gone, but it was nice to see it on the trees. (K)

    Like

    Reply
  30. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
    robertawrites235681907

    Wow, the fog is really thick and the snow is also thick. It looks far too cold for me.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      The fog was on the day before the storm. It’s wonderful to see, but I was happy not to have to drive anywhere. Cars 50′ (15.25 m) were literally invisible unless they had their lights on (which, despite it being the law, many drivers don’t do). The snow was wet and heavy.

      Like

      Reply
  31. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    It’s cute how y’all go into a panic over 8″ of snow ;-) And what is with the forecasters? Must everything be over the top?
    Of course, I am teasing, as, when we are no longer used to receiving said quantities, we are less prepared when they do come. And then, just to be mean to us up north, yours melts in the same damn day (almost!)
    Love your photos.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Ha ha – I know I have readers up north with you and out in Minnesota and Wisconsin who aren’t moved to pit over 20°f (-7°c) temps. This snow is still with us, and we may pick up a top coat of an inch or so tonight. I wish our forecasts were better.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        ;-) We have a little experience with the white stuff! Yeah, well, the forecasters up here are not much better, truth be told.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  32. dweezer19 Avatar
    dweezer19

    Okay. Can’t get past Rocky Squirrel burying his peanut. Lololol

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thy do bury things. This how we ended up with a pumpkin patch last year.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  33. dweezer19 Avatar
    dweezer19

    Ha! Birds swimming in the bath I made for them and using the edge as a toilet landed us the biggest tomato plant we’ve ever had!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Haha – The stuff they plant always seems to grow well. We always have a few odd plants around the yard.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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