Today it rained all day long. It flatted the snow in some places, and cleared it off in others.
Tonight’s temp is right at freezing and tomorrow is forecasted to be an average ole’ gloomy, cold day.
But Monday will be brutally cold.
We’re under a cold weather advisory here on the outskirts of the Ville. The alert runs from 7:00 PM tomorrow to 10:00 AM ET on Wednesday morning. Per Weather.com: “The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.” You read that right, kids, 20° below zero!!
I’ve had my winter… and now Mother Nature can simply send it somewhere else. I’m done.
Today’s “did you know” is about Lincoln Logs.
I remember Scott had these when we were kids and I loved building with them. I had plastic cows, horses, and pigs that complemented my masterpieces perfectly. The only downside was that I always had to box up every piece EXACTLY like I found them or my favorite brother would cry to Mom. 🙁
Other notable things my brother had that I did not — and that he was made to share with me… Spirograph, High Gear board type game, mad scientist kit (complete with slides and a microscope), and GI Joe dolls (that were always coming around my Barbie, Skipper and Francie). We each had our own etch-a-sketch and View-Master — but I pilfered all of Scott’s round cardboard reels of pictures.
What games/toys did you have as a kid that you remember today?
Now you know: Lincoln Logs, the children’s building toy, was based on an earthquake-proof construction technique used in a hotel in Japan and was patented by John Wright, the son of the hotel’s designer, Frank Lloyd Wright.
Local schools are closed today. Closings were announced yesterday as soon as the winter weather warning came out. My favorite meteorologist, Marc Weinberg, says this upcoming storm won’t be as bad as what we had earlier this week, but will still be significant.
Snowman type snow by late afternoon.
Today’s snow is supposed to be fluffy, unlike our earlier concrete snowfall. Predictions are for the type of snow that’s good for skiing and snowman building.
Once when Ben was young — maybe 8 or 9 — Indianapolis got snow and we had none. I loaded him in the car and headed north to my Great Aunt Kak’s house just to build a snowman. He watched me build the darned thing from the comfort of Kak’s house by occasionally peeking out a window, and only came outside when I was finished so I could take his photo.
Once he became a father and it was his turn to make childhood memories for Coco, they were much more creative than I was years before — but I’m certain my snowman had better arms. ⛄️
Keeping floors clean with dogs and a wet, snowy yard is difficult: product review…
I’ve always used a Bissell Symphony Pet All in One — steamer with vacuum — but they only last me about a year. I hesitated before buying another at close to $250 bucks, even though I really do like the product. Shopping for alternatives, I found a Bissell that’s a steamer only for just under $100. Worth a try, right?
I used my new Bissell SpinWave yesterday and it worked GREAT! I always vacuum first anyway, so it’s all I need. With those spinners, it glides across these stained concrete floors with ease. Hugo made extra footprints because he loves to keep me busy, and he wasn’t happy that they disappeared so quickly. 🐾
I’ll let you know if the SpinWave lasts and continues to be my new favorite.
Now you know: Magellan’s expedition, which began with approximately 270 crew members aboard five ships, concluded nearly three years later with only 18 survivors returning on a single vessel.
Clear driveway after Fluff finished yesterday and I had the Mini out and about. Even the road in front of the barndo is nice and clear.
Then Perry tried to ramp a snow dune.
We all tease Perry about his driving skills — he is the dude that pit maneuvered a police cruiser, after all. For whatever reason (that will never be known), he pulled in the driveway not cleared. And then, for whatever reason, (that will never be known), he went off the grid and slammed into a bank of snow created when the drive was cleaned. He was literally trying to monster truck his way to the garage.
Snow packed under the frame of the all wheel drive vehicle and it was stuck — yes, AFTER I paid $60 bucks to have the drive cleared so no one would get stuck. Our neighbor, Spalding, pulled him out and told him to tell me that he was merely exploring… testing the capabilities of the all wheel drive. 🙄
Flurries and 20° currently.
More “real” snow expected by Friday and temps tomorrow are to be bitter freaking cold. In the negative numbers, y’all. Bundle up — and don’t try to ramp snow dunes. It’s too cold for you and for your potential rescuers.
Now you know: Randy Gardner set the world record by staying awake for 11 days and 25 minutes in 1964 as part of a high school science experiment. He experienced severe cognitive and physical effects but fully recovering afterward.
I had no idea who I could get to clean my driveway of snow since the Reynold’s family go to Florida in the winter months, so I called the dude that delivers wood for us. I figured he’d know someone and sure enough, he did.
Fluff to the rescue!
We’re clear to get cars to the road now. Yay! I have to admit, telling him where the driveway was under all that snow was a challenge. Funny how you can look at something every single day, but when it comes to knowing where it is when you can’t see it you can only guess.
Following the SUV tracks was wrong.
Not sure if it was Perry or Ben that missed the driveway right after the snow dump (maybe both of them), but that took Fluff off in a direction to clean a patch in the yard… and in the corner of Mr. Farmer’s field. Uh oh. 😬
Oh well… we did our best and it is what it is. I’m about to attempt to get the Mini out because I’m FREE… thanks to good ole’ Fluff.
Now you know: In 1928, millionaire Howard Hughes set a bizarre rule for his staff: they had to handle everything he touched with tissues to avoid germs. Later in life, Hughes became so obsessed with cleanliness that he lived in sealed rooms, wore tissue boxes on his feet, and stored his urine in jars.
I got out of bed late this morning and the dogs were more than ready to take a trip (or 10) outside. Dharma has resorted to simply not getting off the deck since she had a hard time getting up the one step yesterday evening. She’s proof it’s still doing something out there…
“I don’t want to stay home another day,” he said.
I saw my friend, Alisa, made it to work in Seymour via a Facebook video she shared of the roads. Ben was determined to get to work, primarily because he didn’t want to sit in the house all day. He warmed his car up and opened the garage door. All the backing up and pulling forward and his car wasn’t even getting out of the garage.
Honda CRV to the rescue!
The old Honda backed right out and headed down the road no problem. Ben was rescued from home boredom and evidently snowmaggedon isn’t as bad as it could’ve been. I’m seeing reports of a lot of slide-offs, and many factories and businesses are closed locally — but Ben said the roads were “about usual for snow.”
He said they’re staying open with a skeleton crew… only 4 managers and 3 associates to run the entire Scottsburg Walmart supercenter. Not sure who he’s going to boss around today, but it still beats staying home. 😉
Now you know: Judy Garland was very close with the dog who played Toto, even letting the pup stay at her house while healing from an on-set accident. She attempted to purchase Toto but the owner wouldn’t sell.
