Trying to Reason With an Ice Storm-- Part 5: Quite the Mess

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Sadly, when I got home (about half a mile away), the garage door didn't open so I knew the electricity was still off.  

Since I couldn't really do anything, I decided the time was good to do some shopping (in stores with electricity.)

So, drove over to Illinois Highway 31 in McHenry, a major shopping area.

This is the second winter event we've had in the last week.  Last Thursday we had about five inches of snow, now ths ice storm last night.  Both times, we got really hit along the Wisconsin-Illinois border.  The farther south you go, the less snow last week and less ice last night.  I am all in favor of sharing our good fortune with those folks.

The trees in the subdivision are still covered with thick ice and a while lot of limbs are down.  Same held true during my drive to McHenry.  Saw quite a few piles of limbs right up by the road and in several spots there were guys out clearing up the mess.  I could see a few spots where the remnants of limbs were actually on the road.

This was by far the worst ice storm I can ever remember.

--RoadIce

Trying to Reason With an Ice Storm-- Part 3: Icy Neighborhood

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023

I walked carefully out to the truck which was parked outside. The driveway was covered in ice, but part way to the street was clear.  Also, the street did not appear to have any ice on it either.  After some tugging, I was able to get the driver door open and grabbed an ice scraper.

The ice came off in sheets, fortunately,so wasn't as bad as I anticipated.  My long time neighbor across the street walked over and said he was without electricity as well, but had used his fireplace last night and slept by it where they stayed warm.  He said he had heard we weren't getting electricity until Saturday.  I sure didn't want to hear that.  It got pretty chilly last night as it was.

(I had heard that it might be later today or perhaps even as late as Saturday for some.  I found this out on my new smart phone which, of course, being battery operated, was still usable for the internet.  Something I didn't know how to do with the old flip phone I had.)

I was happy to find the streets in out subdivision were perfect.  That is a good thing as we have some hills in the area.  I saw that some of my pine tree limbs were bent and touching the ground.  Quite a few tree limbs down on my way and even a couple trees.

Drove down the hill to US-12 (Rand Road) and saw that the Midwest Breakfast Company had electricity.

Time for some breakfast.

--RoadIce

Trying to Reason with an Ice Storm-- Part 2: All That Real Gone Electricity

Continued from March 2, 2023.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

That was a miserable night.  No flushing toilets and I had to take a flashlight with me everytime I had to go.  All those shadows.  No washing hands afterwards either. No fun to lose electricity on well water.  The pump is electric.

I was hoping that when I woke up we'd have power again.  We didn't.  And, it was getting pretty chilly in the house.  We have natural gas, but guess what the blowers work on?  No going into the freezer or refrigerator either to make sure food keeps cold.

At daylight I could see that I have some branches down and others hanging on the pines.  It is pretty though with all the ice on everything.  Nature's doing its icing.

I was hungry so decided this would be a great time to go over to the Midwest Breakfast Company in Spring Grove and have breakfast.  It's been here for many years and Liz and I had never gotten over there to give it a try.

I was going to take the Malibu over to it, but it was in the garage and guess what the door opener works on.  Then I remembered I could just go over to the door and pull a chord and it would open.  But, guess what the lights out there work on.  And then, after I opened the door and backed out I would have to get out of the car, penguin walk on the ice back to the garage door and pull it down manually as I wasn't going to leave it open while I was gone.

So, I decided to go out to the driveway and drive the Dodge Dakota.  But, guess what that was covered in.  

--RoadFun

Trying to Reason With an Ice Storm-- Part 1

The Icestorm of Wednesday, February 22.

Starting over the weekend of Feb. 18-19, we started getting dire warnings of a likely ice storm heading our way, with the worst part supposed to hit us along the Illinois-Wisconsin border and areas north.  To the south it would be more of a rain situation.  I always take it under advisement as the weather folks are often right, but also often wrong.  I was hoping they were wrong.

However, Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 20 and 21, it was still predicted to hit Wednesday, my usual day to drive up to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.  I adopted a wait and see attitude.  

Well, they were right on with their predictions.  We did have an ice storm and it was the worst I can remember having in the 30 years we've lived in Spring Grove, Illinois.  By the time I would have left for Donovan's at 1:30 pm, there was a thick coating of ice on all the trees and bushes.  Staying put now.

Really hoping we don't lose power.  At 6:15, the lights flickered and then ten monutes later, flickered and went out for good.  Of course, dumb old me had not put any flashlights nearby, so had to grope for some.  Finally found one and was in business.

But, now what.  I can't do anything without electricity and Wednesdays are one of my favorite TV days.  No TV, no radio, no stereo, no nothing.

Might just as well go to sleep.

--RoadIcedOut

JSS: As Crummy As It Gets-- Beer Nuggets-- Burning-- Wrigley Field Tonight

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  AS CRUMMY AS IT GETS--  Today set a new low in regards to crummy weather days we've been having so far this spring.  It was 32 degrees at 9 am with a forecast high of 48 (but I'm thinking we didn't make it).  Plus rain, overcast, windy and lots of cold in the air which the wind blew right through you.  But, we have a teaser coming though.  Supposedly it will be 80 degrees come Monday.

2.  BEER NUGGETS--  Last night we went to Bricks 'N Ivy here in Spring Grove, Illinois, and enjoyed the half price appetizers and pitchers of beer.  They have a new menu item and it is one of our favorites, something called beer nuggets which are fried dough.  Couldn't beat a basket of it for $3.50.  We also had half price wings ($8 for 12).  But, I can remember when a wing special was just 25 cents.

3.  BURNING--  We get to burn yard waste on the weekends during April and May.  The problem with that is that we haven't had a weekend which did not have rain or howling winds.  Come on guys.

4.  WRIGLEY FIELD TONIGHT--  The White Sox travel to Wrigley Field tonight to play the Chicago Cubs in our Crosstown Classic.  It is a battle of two 9-13 teams.  I am sure glad that I am not out there because of (see #1).

--RoadCold

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  What am I?   Flypaper for freaks?

JSS: Ukraine Flag-- Come On Weather!! -- Inflation Gets Personal-- Sad Sox, Sad Hawks & Sad Bulls

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  UKRAINE FLAG

I saw a Ukraine flag in the Jewel parking lot earlier today.  Come on Ukraine.  It is amazing what they are accomplishing against such overwhelming odds.

2.  COME ON WEATHER!!

No breaks from the weather  After a wonderful weekend with temps in the lower 80s, we now have 44 degree weather with a strong wind blowing the cold on us.  Is there going to be a spring?  Freeze warnings for tonight!!  

3.  INFLATION GETS PERSONAL 

Today at our local breakfast spot, we were getting ready to order from the specials list when a waitress ran over and quickly gathered the specials pages and replaced them with another one.  We saw that the new one was $1 more for everything.  Ouch!!

4.  SAD SOX, SAD HAWKS & SAD BULLS

Rough time to be pulling for Chicago teams.  The Sox are in the middle of a seven game losing streak and the only thing happening more often is the loss of players to injury.  Seems like a new one every day.

The Blackhawks can't end the season soon enough.  And, I remember when they won their 3rd Stanley Cup in five years back in 2015 that they were talking about a Blackhawk Dynasty.  Little did we know we were seeing the end of it.

At least the Bulls showed the first improvement since those wonderful 1990s and made the playoffs this year, but will most likely be eliminated tomorrow.

--RoadDog

Memorial Day 2020: A Different Sort of Respect

Usually, I am coming home from Indianapolis on the day on which the commemoration falls, but not this year as the race there was cancelled because of the virus.

And that race has to be America's biggest salute to our fallen veterans and all veterans for that matter.  It makes up a large part of the pre-race activities.

I was going to go over to the McHenry, Illinois, Memorial Day activity at Veterans Park with a friend, but found out it was canceled.  It was to be a bit different today with no speeches.  The honor guard of our three veterans organizations:  American Legion, VFW and Polish Legion, were going to fire volleys at three local sites.

And, our weather has been fairly good for Memorial Day weekend.  Usually we have pretty bad weather in northeast Illinois.  But, other than rain Saturday afternoon and some today, this has been an ideal weather weekend.  Temps have finally gotten into the 80s.

This year was just a stay-at-home thing for Liz and myself.  I already had a U.S. flag up by the garage and also put up an 1877, 38-star U.S. flag (from after Colorado became the 38th state).

I am trying to make a blog entry for all eight of them, but the internet is really causing problems today.  It takes a real long time just to do one entry with all of this stopping and freezing up.

We have had two short rain showers so far, but it hasn't rained for awhile, so I am hoping to at least get some yard work in.

I did enjoy the front porch (FP) a couple times and did some transplanting in the overwinter plants.

--RoadDog

Job Well Done, All Military.  --RoadDog

Every Blooming THing, Middle May: Creeping Phlox and Some Perennial

It has been quite hard to work in the yard because of the horrible spring we're having.  Very few decent days.  Usually, quite chilly and/or rainy.  Once in awhile, we get a decent day, but it is a rarity.  Yesterday it rained off and on all day and was quite cool and windy.  Of course, then heavens opened up on Sunday and man did we get the rain.

Right now, the yard is a mass of tulips, mostly purple creeping phlox and some sort of perennial with gray foliage and yellow flowers.  The wild tall phlox and daisies are about to turn the yard into a purple and white affair (and I have hundreds of them).  The grape hyacinths are blooming.

One of the crabapples with white blooms is about spent.  The other day I was working out by it and it felt and looked like a warm snowstorm with all the petals falling.  I have four more crabapples beginning to bloom as well as the lilacs.

************************************

Sadly, I have a golden rain tree and a Bradford pear tree which are dead and will have to come down.

I have been transplanting lots of hostas, black-eyed Susans, mums and purple coneflowers.

The daffodils and hyacinths are spent, but put on quite a show.

The dandelions, of course, are luxuriant and plentiful.

Hope to get to my huge burn pile this weekend.  We can only burn in the spring on weekends during April and May so am running out of time.  Pretty much every weekend has been a rainout or wind out so far.

My Flowers.  I Think I'll Keep Them.  --RoadBud

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  And I was just about to start going to the gym again.  Oh well, orders is orders.

JSS: Them Dandies-- Lightning Strike-- Cole Kmet-- Rain

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  THEM DANDIES--  It's spring now.  I know because my crop of home grown dandelions are in full bloom.  I should learn how to make dandelion wine.  I could make a real lot of that stuff.

2.  LIGHTNING STRIKE--  Last night we had some bad storms come through.  At one point there was a flash of lightning and at the same moment a resounding boom.  That was close.  I'm sure I felt the shock waves downstairs in the basement where I was watching TV.  If I wasn't awake wen it hit, I was afterwards.

3.  COLE KMET--  The Bears second round pick this strange draft picking.  I just hope they give him more of a chance that they did for NIU players they picked or invited to camp.  Tight ends are the most underused players in the NFL.  They should always be the automatic go to guy when plays fall apart.  Put him in, coach.

4.  RAIN--  Okay, we had that storm last night with the lightning strike then rain off and on (mostly on) all night and now all day.  The drainage basin behind us is about one third full.  I'm sure they're looking into closing the Chain because of flooding.  (But, wait, we don't have a boat anymore so doesn't really matter.)

I really need a few dry and seasonably warm days to get yard work done.  Plus, today is cold enough and wet enough to be prime time for you-know-what.  So, I stayed inside all day, mostly hunkered over this here 'pute a-typing away with my two little fingers.

That was a Real Loud One.  --RoadBang

TOP TEN COUNTRY SONGS:  "She's Looking Better Every Beer."

JSS: rn Sure Looks Like an "M"-- Relief Money Coming April 15-- Good Weather-- No Boating For Us This Year

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  rn SURE LOOKS LIKE AN "M"--  While typing (with my own two little fingers) the last post, I can't but notice that when you put the letters "rn" together, that sure looks like the letter "m."

2.  RELIEF MONEY COMING APRIL 15--  Listening to Myrtle Beach's Surf, 94.9 FM this morning, I heard Jim Morgan say that money from the government to tide us over (somewhat) through this "V" thing will be coming April 15.  For some reason that date used to mean something else.

3.  GOOD WEATHER--  Since March, we have only had three days I'd consider good with fairly warm temperatures (never over 70 degrees though) and little or no wind.  That is good because crummy weather keeps folks inside in this "V" time.  However, today (Tuesday, April 7) looks like a good day here in northeast Illinois, so we'll see how many stay inside or refrain from traveling off their property.

4.  NO BOATING FOR US THIS YEAR--  This will be the first year since 1985, that Liz and I won't have a boat.  Two of our friends have already been out on their boats.  But, with all this crummy weather and you-know-what, I doubt that we'll miss boating all that much.

--RoadDog

JSS: No Baseball Playoffs for Chicago-- Hate Those Night Football Games-- Sometimes No Boat Is Good Thing

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  NO BASEBALL PLAYOFF GAMES FOR CHICAGO--  After this horrible weekend, the Cubs can start getting ready for next year.  We kept saying after they swept the Pirates a week ago by some huge scores, that they would start losing games by one run and they sure did.  They've lost the last six games in a row by one run each game.  Moral:  Don't use up all your runs in a game as that means you'll lose by one run  the next one (or more).

And that new hang-hand relief pitcher who has give up opponent go-ahead runs twice.  Hope to see you somewhere else next year.

2.  HATE THOSE NIGHT FOOTBALL GAMES--  Da Bears have another late night game tonight (and one of those crummy Monday Night Games where the Bears stink) at 7:30.  They opened with a Thursday night game and then there was a 3:30 game.  We have another 3:30 game after that before we get to a noon game.

Football should be played in the daylight.

3.  SOMETIMES NO BOAT IS A GOOD THING--  Well, since we decided to get rid of the boat, this was a good year to do it.  The Chain of Lakes has been closed for two weeks and will be for longer after the last rainfall over 36 hours.  Plus it was closed or no wake for another month or more.

We felt sorry for our friends who still go boating, but are so happy that is not a problem for us.

Now, we don't have to worry about cleaning the hull, winterizing or getting it to a place to keep it over the winter.

Just Some Stuff.  --RoadBoat

STATE OF THE JOKE:  NEBRASKA.  Just keep driving.  When something changes, you'll know you're out of Nebraska.

JSS-- Snow!!-- Snowblower-- Daffodils-- Sox Postponements

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  SNOW!!  It snowed much of Sunday and has been snowing off and on all day today.  We have around 3-4 inches of snow on the ground.  I can't ever remember there being this much snow at the middle of April.

2.  SNOWBLOWER--  And, i am glad I didn't run off the gas mixture in the 2-cycle snowblower last week.  I used it today.  I've never used it this late in the month of April.

3.  DAFFODILS--  And, the poor daffodils and all that yellow are surrounded by a lot of white.  It is pretty, though.

4.  SOX POSTPONEMENTS--  Has there ever been a major league baseball team to have three straight snow postponements of games?  The Sox-Twins series in Minneapolis was postponed for all three games.  I heard that parts of Minnesota south of US-12 received twenty inches of the white stuff.

Real Tired of Winter Which Just Won't Go Away.  --RoadDog

JSS: Miserable Weather Today-- Not the Fault of the Round Lake Spring Carnival-- McHenry Moose Spring Carnival

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  MISERABLE WEATHER TODAY--  It is 38.4 degrees right now, overcast and with blustery winds.  That is just plain miserable weather.  And that is considering the 80s and sun we had the last two days, even though quite windy.  I wish those Canadians would keep their cold weather and quit sending it here.  No sitting out FP or OD for me today.  (FP--front porch, OD-- on deck)  WXRT's Lin Brehmer pretty well summed up the weather of late.  He said:  "Yesterday it was summer.  Today it is winter.  Tomorrow it is spring."

2.  NOT THE FAULT OF THE ROUND LAKE SPRING CARNIVAL--  However, we can't blame this on the infamous Round Lake Beach Spring Carnival which closed last Sunday.  This carnival has brought weather like we have today ever since 1977 with few exceptions.  That is 40 years of crummy weather and the last twenty it has been held for two weekends in a row.

However, May 5-7 wasn't too bad and last weekend was really nice.  Maybe its streak is over?

3.  McHENRY MOOSE SPRING CARNIVAL--  Just like the groans the Round Lake carnival brings with its arrival, the McHenry Moose Lodge's spring carnival has been bringing the crummy weather for the last fifteen years.  They were actually taking credit for it when we all know it is Round Lake's fault.  The fact was, they had theirs at the same time as the one in Round Lake.

However, they changed dates this year and are having their carnival this weekend.

This Would Make This Crummy Weather THEIR FAULT!!!  JSS  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  The only time you're standing still is during an earthquake.

JSS: Frost Advisory-- Miserable Weather-- Round Lake Spring Carnival Curse

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  FROST ADVISORY--  Hard to believe, but this morning we had a frost advisory.  The temperature on our front porch this morning was 34 degrees.

2.  MISERABLE WEATHER--  And, we have had really crummy weather the last week.  Most days it was overcast and threatening storms as well as unseasonably cold and a 10-20 mph wind that blew the cold right through you.

Temp forecast highs:  Today 55, Thursday 52, Fri. 55,  weekend--  mid-50s.

3.  ROUND LAKE SPRING CARNIVAL CURSE--  Yesterday, I went to Round Lake Beach, Illinois, to see a couple movies (since it was too crummy to work in the yard).  I didn't see it going to the theater, but on the way back, there IT WAS.  The various trucks of the infamous Round Lake Spring Carnival were parked out in the parking lot of the stores where they set up every year at the corner of Rollins and Cedar Lake roads.

Actually, with how bad the weather was last weekend, we were joking that the "Carnival must be in town."  It wasn't, but its weather sure was.

Everyone in the Round Lake Area (there are four Round Lake towns) knows about the carnival curse.  With the exception of a couple years, the weather has been crummy ever since I worked it for the Round Lake Area Jaycees back in 1977.

The CURSE of the CARNIVAL.  --RoadDog

JSS: Crummy Weather-- 1973 On WXRT-- Bears QB-- Obama's $400,000

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  CRUMMY WEATHER--  Someone sure ordered up a whole mess of it for us the next several days.   Highs from today to Monday from 48 to 55 degrees,  Rain forecast at 50% today and Monday and 80% Sat. and Sunday.  Also pretty brisk winds with up to 30 mph gusts.

And, we're getting into boating mode.  Not the next several days.

2.  1973 ON WXRT--  Saturday, April 30, Chicago's WXRT 93.1 FM, will be going back to 1973 for its Saturday Morning Flashback show from 8 a.m. to noon, CDST.  That was a real busy year for me.  It streams.

3.  BEARS QB--  So, DaBears gave up some third round draft choices to move up to get UNC qb Mitchell Trubiskey.  here's hoping DaBears will have shocked us and have actually picked a good quarterback.  The past choices haven't been too good.

4.  OBAMA'S $400,000--  The ex-Pres. is getting that to give a speech at a health care meeting.  I don't know about you, but our ex-government people should not be able to use their ex-office to get super rich like this.

The Rich Get Richer, We Get Poorer.  --RoadDog

Thanks a Lot Carnival!!!

The temperature right now os 40.1 degrees with a high expected at 48.  Lows tonight in the lower 30s and we have a frost advisory in place until Sunday afternoon.  Wind at about 20 mph with gusts up to 30, blowing all that cold right through your bones.

And, we all know who the culprit is.

That crummy old Round Lake Spring Carnival on Rollins Road.

I Really, Really HATE That Carnival.  Hope They Go Bankrupt.  RoadDog

YOU'RE OLD IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN: Boys couldn't wear anything but leather shoes to school.

It's Melting!!!: My Cabin Fevered Neighbor

Amazing, but we had 40 degrees yesterday, first time since November (and only two 30+ degree days). Quite a bit of melting, but we sure have a lot to go. We're just hoping it is not too fast because of flooding, both in the Chain of Lakes and the ground is still frozen and there is nowhere to go. //// I looked out the window yesterday morning and saw my neighbor across the street SHOVELING SNOW FROM HIS YARD ONTO HIS DRIVEWAY!!!!! That is more than a bit peculiar since we have been battling the white stuff ever since December 8th in a vain attempt to keep that white stuff OFF OUR DRIVEWAYS!!! (Actually, he was throwing the snow on his driveway to get it to melt as with the sun, the asphalt gets warm enough to do that. //// I have noticed, however, that about half the folks out in our subdivision have stopped doing their driveways, just thrown in the old snow shovel/blower. //// We had a smattering of snow this morning and it has already melted. As my buddy Kevin says, "Anyday I do not have to get up and shovel snow is a good day." //// I Understand Someone Shot Our Local Groundhog Prognosticator Woodstock Willie. --RoadDog

Our Canadian Friends DEFINITELY Aren't keeping Their Cold Weather to Themselves

That sultry 40 degree day we had last week is a thing of fond memory. And, that new two-word swear word, the "P.V." is back!! Just looked out at our outside thermometers. The one in back is at -2 and the one in front at 0 degrees. High and lows for next three days: TODAY: 11, -3 degrees // THURSDAY: 5, -10 degrees // FRIDAY: 15, 7 degrees. //// I'm thinking they should give back their hockey Gold Medals. //// "P.V."= Polar Vortex. --RoadDog

Winter Continuing Here in Midwest

I was out three times Saturday and once yesterday to shovel the driveway as we had ANOTHER 5-6 inches of the white stuff in an all-day Saturday snow. The snowpiles are getting really high along the driveway: 2-3 feet along most of it and five-foot high at the sidewalk/driveway and on one of the driveway foot sides. The other driveway foot (by the street) is six feet high. //// Fortunately, the snow Saturday was really light. I shovel when its 1-3 inches and light, but use the snowblower when its heavy or more than that. //// This winter has really been snow-cold, snow-cold and repeat. Usually, there is a day like yesterday with temps maybe as high as 20 degrees and NO SNOW. //// Now, we start some real cold temps. This morning, the temp here is -5.2 degrees with high at 3 and low at -14. Tuesday high at 10 and low at 0. Wednesday high 21, low 12. Everyone's looking forward to Thurdsay with HIGH IN LOWER THIRTIES!!! //// That Will Seem Like a Real Heat Wave. --RoadDog

What a Wild and Crazy Week This Has Been

Weather Here in the Midwest, along the Illinois-Wisconsin line has been crazier than usual this last week. Monday and Tuesday that V.Thing came and got us and the real temp never got over 0 degrees nor wind chill over -30 degrees. I didn't even poke my nose out the door, other than fighting the freezing pop bottles in the garage. //// Wednesday, when the temp got up to the balmy 4 degrees (and it seriously did seem like a heat wave), I did leave the house, partly because the delayed-by-one-day garbage pickup was here and I needed to see a movie to break a slight case of cabin fever. //// Then, a continued warm up fo 20 degrees Thursday and then Friday we started out with something called a freezing fog which later turned into a freezing rain as we finally got to 32 degrees. Lots of melting snow and flooding, including regular ponds on some roads. (We hit one in Spring Grove.) //// Wow, 33 degerees right now and I went out to get thick packed snow off the front bushes as they were bending down real low. I then started chopping ice off the driveway and front sidewalk. Now, that is sure an aching back kind of an effort. //// We have sure had one heavy duty winter so far, starting back on December 8th when we had a surprise 8 inches of snow. We are now with maybe an inch of Chicago's annual snowfall and, of course, winter has just begun. Then, we had some ice storms which were one reason I didn't really completely clear off the snow so we could at least have some traction. //// And then, that lousy George Clooney is on TV with commercials about the wonders of Michigan's winters about every commercial break. Best that I don't see him right now. //// What Was That Thing About the Moon That Jackie Gleason Used to Say To His Wife? --RoadDog