Anybody snowed in?

school buses were canceled here yesterday.. I looked outside and saw green grass.
Jenn said that we were in a pocket of no snow. So I guess there was snow around us.
but we have cold and windy.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

We got about 4 inches on Dec 1st and just a few snowflakes since then.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

not much here, but Lucan got 45 inches of snow ( yes INCHES ) in the past few days.

-- jroot ....... Southern Ontario .......... grow zone 5A ...................."Gardening is an exercise in optimism." ....... . . Author Unknown

record drought and heat here. 6 weeks of drought and 30C+ days. we’re doing a rain dance – - the garden is suffering. The Aussies are stealing all the rain from us – they are getting record rainfalls. Is the world messed up or what?

-- Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves. - Thoreau

on the news they just showed the snow levels in this region – not even up to our ankles….. and hour to the east: up to the waist; an hour to the west: up to the neck!!!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Listening to the London AM news gave the measurements for London at 95 cm of snow and Lucan at 144 cm of snow. Sorry I can’t translate those numbers to inches…..just take my word for it…..it’s alot of snow!!

I was in Sarnia last night and there was no snow there. (Sarnia is 80 km west of London)

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

We have 2 – 3 ft here in Belgrave Ontario :-(

-- John in Cranbrook , http://www.extremebirdhouse.com http://community.webshots.com/user/cranbrook2

Oh my!! I imagine the birds in your area are really thankful for your cosy birdhouses, John. :)

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

I am thrilled to see your weather reports. Here we have Max 86 F and Min 60 F and we call this winter!

Sharad

-- Bagwan-- “If someone feels that they had never made a mistake in their life, then it means they have never tried a new thing in their life”.-Albert Einstein

Quite amazing, isn’t it, Sharad? Have you ever experienced snow in your area?

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

Nice photo Iris. Love the contrast between the Red Cardinal and the white snow as it is a small visual delight in the depths of winter.

Lots of snow here, white mud and I just love the white knuckle driving, the scraping, the shoveling, the digging, the slipping and sliding. Shoveling out the back of the truck, shovelling off the decks, the steps and stairs. Its definitly a discombobulated convoluted slice of anarchy. I especially like stepping into 12” of it, only to sink down even deeper and have my boot fill with ice cold water, .........such a peaceful feeling.

At 50 years young, there is nothing better then working in it. What could be better then putting the boots on, the coat on, stepping outside and making a miter cut on a piece of trim while holding the wood against frost bitten steel with numb fingers and then stepping into a warm house only to repeat the procedure so many times my that my chattering teeth start to crumble…..............and repeat.

Yes, I am a fond lover of the Canadian Winter. It is said that Canadians are a peaceful nation with small egos and generous hearts but that might have to do with the fact that we are frozen.

One more week of this,

Then I will park my sorry butt where it rains and doesnt stop raining until march ?

-- but for one rose, love endures

ooh be still my heart! Greenthumb, you have a way to inspire and to remind us of why we love our Canadian winters so much :D

And as my gas attendant once said, “if we didn’t have weather like this then EVERYONE would want to live here.”

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

I also got gas the other day and the young man who filled my truck up was cheery….......what a pleasure.

When all was done and I paid him we both watched the sun rise. It was a spectacular sunrise, crisp and the snow sparkled and we stood next to one another and looked at it he said.

“Beautiful isnt it”

and I replied as i looked sideways at him

“We should hold hands ?”

and he replied promptly

“Go to hell”

I laughed as I got the answer I expected

“

-- but for one rose, love endures

that is the best story I’ve heard in a long time .. lol

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

LOL Greenthumb, you never fail to inspire us, amuse us and leave us with full hearts and laughing.

Thank you for the compliment on the cardinal picture. I love cardinals anytime of the year but in the winter, with the snowy background (and foreground) they are spectacular!

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

Thank you Iris and it has been my pleasure.

I hope that when I leave and spring time returns that the cherry trees blossums, the Mock Orange blossums fill the air with fragrance and bring sweet memories to those who still live here. I hope they remember what I have done and not what I didnt do. I hope it leaves theirs hearts and minds with a reminder that life only returns to us, what we give to life.

have an awesome day

-- but for one rose, love endures

oh I’m quoting that one, Greenthumb: I hope they remember what I have done and not what I didnt do

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Greenthumb does that mean that you are leaving for B.C. soon.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

Iris I have never experienced snow in my place and I don’t think it will ever be, but have seen it during my trip to Germany and Switzerland in December 1987. Also have experienced snowfall during my visit to Kashmir in the eighties. I love it but I am not sure if I can withstand the harsh winter in your place. Thanks for the posting.
Thank you John for the beautiful photographs.

Sharad

-- Bagwan-- “If someone feels that they had never made a mistake in their life, then it means they have never tried a new thing in their life”.-Albert Einstein

Bon

next week…..................

I start dreaming of my next garden and yup

BC bound

-- but for one rose, love endures

Greenthumb I want to wish you all the best of luck in your new adventure.Sometimes life takes us in a lot of different directions until we find what we really need to be happy.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

thanks Bon,

Stupid thought and maybe just me but I have found that happiness starts from within and roughly speaking, all the fancy home with all the fancy gadgets, the fancy car, although nice….........do very little in producing happiness. Folks are either happy, or life sucking leeches whos’ only ambition is drain every drop of positive energy from those who should mean the most to them.

I’m happy, happy happy

-- but for one rose, love endures

I so agree re: happiness.
It troubles me when I see “do-gooders” (stated in a very respectful manner) imposing their sense of “happiness” on others – trying to provide them with “stuff” which starts a slippery slope to unhappiness.

I could go on.. but I will step back off my bandwagon :)

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Hey you guys, you crazy Canadians. No snow at my house, but an hour ago there was a tornado just south of me. How bizarre is that. A tornado in Oregon. Went through a tiny little town of like 3000 and jumped around the place ripping the crap out of the some stores and houses. Twisted the tops out of huge firs and the twist pattern looked like a light bulb had been unscrewed.

In the meantime the rain has been like the proverbial cow on the flat rock.

-- Margaret, Eagle Creek, Oregon. A garden is never finished.

Weedwacker, I haven’t seen your weather on the news yet. Have you seen ours?

Here’s a picture of the Christmas wreath on my front door….....result of blizzard-like conditions since Sunday.

Unbelievable! A tornado where you live and a blizzard where I live!

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

Wow, Iris! How many inches have you received?

Margaret, I am glad you are okay. Tornadoes can be so destructive and isn’t it very unusual to have them in Oregon? It seems that we are experiencing weird weather patterns everywhere these days.

-- "To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves." M. Gandhi

Robin, I don’t know how much snow they are saying fell but a lot of snow just stayed in the air. I guess you probably don’t get news about our weather here. They had to call out military helicopters to rescue people out on the 402 hwy. Some people have been stranded on the road, stopped by white-outs and cold, cold wind. More than 300 people had to be rescued. Some truckers are still out there.

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

The poor little birds have had a terrible time trying to feed at my birdfeeders. As soon as I cleaned the feeding ports, the wind would blow the snow and ice into them and plug them again. I put out several suet blocks bc they seem to be able to feed from them easier. I’ve had some wonderful photo opportunities.

Red-bellied woodpecker

downy woodpecker

Northern cardinal

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

bizarre weather and I’m sure it will be getting worse in years to come.
Tornadoes are horrible… we’ve had 3 in this area. I’ve been fortunate each time and missed the damage. (My aunt and uncle lost their entire farm .. scary story)

Iris, that is a beautiful snow wreath.

So scary – all those people stranded. And we’ve had green grass. Now the ground is covered (barely) but it is REALLY cold.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Just about freezing in Arlington, TX last night. Today I flew into Minneapolis, MN and Rochester, MN. What is all that white stuff on the ground here?

Once again, I see I’ve come to the party late as 30 comments have already been posted. What wonderful photos. I have a photographic background, so have very much enjoyed looking at all the great shots that have been posted. Having lived on upstate NY and parts of Mass for many years, I know what snow is all about. And while I like and even miss the beautiful winters, it is nice to live in Florida, step outside, jump on the Harley and go for a ride 12 months out of the year. Except for this week….in answer to your question that started this spended post – I awoke the last few mornings to 28 degrees! Brr!!!

-- Pam grows 'em - I cook 'em...... Melbourne, Fl

brrrrrr indeed!

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Harold, I hope that temp goes up bf I drive down there…...I also hope I can move my little ‘Shunpiker’ to get it down headed south.

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

Nice snow pictures Iris.Love the birds.I think you better move your trailer out to the edge of the driveway or you’ll be shovelling a lot to get her out when you leave.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

Oh, Iris, I like your three bird photos too!

-- "To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves." M. Gandhi

We have 15 cm of snow here.
The firts snow and ice was at the 1st of december.
We haven’t had that since 1963. But there still more to come.
I love it….. We don’t have so much snow over here.

Houtje (Holland)

Thanks Robin and Bon, I am quite pleased with the number and variety of birds that are using the feeders. Despite the two little feral kittens that has taken up residence on my back deck, the birds continue to come.

I tried to discourage the little ‘beggars’ from the time their mother birthed them in some junk in my neighbour’s backyard. I hoped they would go somewhere else to find a permanent home. They were still here when the cold weather arrived, hanging around bc Bobby told them I was a softy, I guess. I broke down and started feeding them, and now although they hiss and snarl whenever I step out the door, I guess they are here to stay. I am in a real predicament as I don’t know what I do when they start hunting the birds. I’ll have to stop feeding the birds in my backyard. :( Anyone have any suggestions for me? I can’t kill them so please don’t suggest that solution. :(

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

how precious ..
no help re: protecting the birds :(

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

Rent a live trap and take them to your local Humane Society?

-- the day you quit learning is the day you quit living.

dini, that would be the sensible thing to do, but of course the HS would euthanize them as they can not be handled and therefore can’t be adopted out for a pet. I am hoping to find a farm where the farmer will take them, keep them locked up for a few days so they won’t try to come back here once they are loose again. At their young age, it should only take a couple days for them to forget and settle into their new environment. So far that is the only solution I can accept.

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

Given that the cats are feral, you have to just accept that they are now part of the animal landscape. I would just let nature take its course. Either they will find enough food or they won’t. Perhaps putting out more bird food, so that they are enough birds for everyone? or less bird food, to force the cats to seek food elsewhere.

I sometimes come across feral cats in my forest and given that there are only about 2 houses within a 5 km radius, they are a long way from home but unfortunately it is just all part of a cycle. The beech trees mast, the seed increases the mouse, rat populations which increases the stoats, weasel and cat populations and so it ripples through the ecosystem until the numbers die down and then it starts all over again with the beech trees.

-- Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves. - Thoreau

Just call the humane society they will come get them . Better then seeing them freeze outside .

-- John in Cranbrook , http://www.extremebirdhouse.com http://community.webshots.com/user/cranbrook2

Such adorable cats, Iris. We have a feline rescue facility in our town that takes in feral/abandoned/unwanted cats and finds home for them. Do you have something like this where you live? If so, perhaps you can trap them and they can help you find a home for them.

-- "To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves." M. Gandhi

I would start by calling the humane society.Usually they will help.I know they have a program here for feral cats.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

Oh my! Thank you, everyone, for your wonderful suggestions. I haven’t heard of any program the local HS would have for feral cats but, first thing tomorrow morning I’m going to call them. I’m not too worried about them freezing…...they survived that terrible snowstorm last wkd, and the freezing temps. They must have found someplace to for protection. They go off the deck every night, so they must have a’nest’ somewhere. I worry about the birds they will eventually hunt. And I worry about where they will go when I go south in Feb. So I will follow up on your suggestions.

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

I also have a (wild) cat n my garden.She is here now for 2 years. I feed here and gave her a shelter to sleep in.It’s a lovely cat and I don’t mind if she is around the house.
Last year an organisation catched here and sterilezed here. It cost me no money because that’s how the stop getting kittens and still live in the environment.The cut a little piece of here ear so that they know tshe is sterilezed.

Houtje I have a ferral cat that they spayed and cut a piece off her ear to show she was spayed and then I was supposed to let her go out into the wild again but she was such a good kitten that we brought her in and she is part of the family now.She learned very quickly from my other cat and they get along great.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

Oh my, Bon, that is such a good-hearted story. I don’t know what Bobby would do if I brought these two into the house, (If they were tame enough for that) LOL

However, I have called the local HS and they do not have a program like that. But she gave me the name of a local vet who she says has neutered wild cats in the past for release. So I’m going to follow up on that.

Thank you again, everyone for your suggestions.

-- 'To plant a Garden is to believe in Tomorrow'

Very nice pictures everyone!!

I live on Georgian Bay and we have Ontario’s largest ski resort, and it was so bad up here last week, that they closed the Mountain….....you know its bad when they do that!

As for snow…......my daughter goes to school in London, and picking her up last week the the holiday break, we definitely have more snow here.

-- Gardening is Great Therapy!!.....Georgian Bay area....zone 5b

Bon,
I had a wild cat and let here in the house and also learned the things from the other cats.
Also the ‘bad’ things.
My ‘outside’ cat I gave here the name moppie ,will not come inside because she is to pusillanimous (hope that’s the right word).
But I love here a lot and she is allways around and following me were ever I go in the garden.
Calls me if she can’t find me.After a lot of patience I can even stroke here.
Even wild cats are a great gift.

I agree Houtje.I think God sent them our way for a reason.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

I now have 3 ferral cats that I feed, first came one 4 years ago…another joined him this past summer, now they have a kitten….....they are well feed several times a day…..

I have found once you feed feral cats…..they no longer eat any birds as the have their own food now and I am so happy to hear you are taking care of them as there is no food around for them.

mine get fed at least 4 time a day as outdoor cats eat more.

Its the feral cats who are not fed by humans eat mice and birds.

your photo of the blue jay is magnificent!

and you really have close-up outstanding photos of red cardinals and woodpeckers!

wow…...many of you have been pounded with snow this year!

-- Toronto, Ontario

that was so wack! glad all was well…....holy smokers…..and looking at your postings now with your kale and such…....so wack is mother nature – the hooligan….......awesome post and everyones comments! wow

-- bee with what is...:) soob

I have never imagined mother nature to be a hooligan, but your word choice certainly gave me a laugh. Thanks Soobee, welcome back!

-- "To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves." M. Gandhi

Iris, beautiful pictures of the snow clad front door, the birds and the cats and yes that of Shunpiker. I wish I had seen it earlier before I asked you in your blog “Florida musings 2011”, what is Shunpiker.

Sharad

-- Bagwan-- “If someone feels that they had never made a mistake in their life, then it means they have never tried a new thing in their life”.-Albert Einstein