ARIZONA TO ALASKA

Hey, Joe. All that balmy weather is because you're at the beach.

Phasing out, eh? Reading between the lines I thought I detected early symptoms of burnout.

Probably be a lot easier to retitle your blog "Alaska to Arizona" than to actually make it happen. "Arizona" or, you know, wherever...

Joe,
Well, things are going to happen. So, I will consider your blog tonight to be the equivalent of a police press conference; I will patiently wait for the trial. :< D) And, of course, I hope you can keep an oar in the water in Dutch if for nothing other than the photography.

But, yah, it was plenty obvious to many of us out here in TV Land that your job had turned into a killer, in fact, probably was from the beginning. But, when you don't get anything resembling adequate vacation, especially with living on a rather isolated island, and when often you didn't even get enough hours off in a week to repair your body for the next week, something was going to give out and we didn't want it to be your health. As it was, your resilience was amazing.

Moving! What a horrible prospect. I liked the Viking life style -- put everything in a boat and sail away. Eventually, have designees pile it all on top of you and burn it.

Foxes and cats have several things in common, one of which is "follow the food". But, I do think that since Fluff went to Alaska with you, she should go with you. But, Dutchy is a little more complicated. She grew up in that climate, has all her foxy friends. Those Southwestern coyotes won't be nearly such good sports. Muriel and I have never had to deal with moving animals because we've just stayed in the same damn spot too long.

But, whatever you do, do something else unusual and interesting in an unusual and interesting place. AND WRITE AN UNUSUAL AND INTERESTING BLOG FOR WU AND LET US KNOW WHERE YOU PITCH UP. In the meantime keep feeding us along with the cats and the foxes.
Dave

PS You're always welcome for a visit.

PSS I keep forgetting that this is a weather blog. The little storm that sailed through today hit us more directly than predicted. The storm motion was almost straight south to north and a radar blob about the size of Southern California went right over us. But, we only got 0.10" of rain; as often happens, Livermore spent much of the day in its own little radar hole, a persistent hole in the storm that extends from just north of us to about 15 miles south. There is a range of mountains south of us where a lot of rainout occurs on the southern slopes. But, finally the storm tracks managed to out-flank it and we got the rain. Our daughter in Sacramento said it rained harder there. But, I see that they only got 0.16". A typical storm on the whole.

From the Great State of Alaska to a Protracted State of Flux.

Joemotion.

I'm very happy life is shifting a gear for you, onwards and upwards into the...

into the?

er...

TENT-AGE?

What really? The on lumpy ground, sharing a sleeping bag with critters and making do with wet wipe washes for eight weeks sort of CAMPING OUT?

Wherever you lay your cat, that's your home?

I've got my sewing machine out in preparation for your forthcoming MEGA trip. I'll be mailing you some nice soft cushions and a proper big boy scout uniform inclusive of neckerchief and woggle.

Badges will be awarded to reward proficiency or endeavour in chosen skill areas. Starting with being able to stand up straight again after your first night under canvas...


Thanks to Debbie56 for the link to those photos in the last blog, I hadn't seen the frozen waterfall picture from Derbyshire – that is quite stunning! I HAVE seen the frozen fire engines in Chicago – WOW – quite reminiscent of a certain persons' Tahoe last winter.

Poor Tahoe.

My weather is about to do a complete change from deep frozen Siberian stuff to the mild, wet and windy Atlantic stuff. The Environment Agency, on whom we all depend for good advice (NOT), has suggested that the entire country goes out today and builds large HARD PACKED snowmen to prevent rapid meltage/ local flooding events this weekend.

It will be rivers of carrot noses and twiggy arms come Monday.

Wow Joe, lots of changes in the air indeed. I won't hold my breath, but waiting when the landslide happens.

Take care either way. I know one thing, I for one will miss the great vulpine pictures... and I think there are others who will agree. However, I know wherever you go, you will be a great asset to any company (if you work for someone and not go into business yourself).

As much as I will miss the info and commentary from DH, life is change. That is the way it should be. Husband and I have been married almost 48 years and moved 13 times and I never regretted any because I've learned with each new adventure (good and bad). I've also enjoyed learning things from all the other posters here.

I thank you for educating me on a place in the USA that I hardly knew about. Your blog was/is always interesting. But I too am glad you are leaving the stress and physical part of your job. None of us are getting any younger and it's time you had some time to enjoy life more.

Like the others I can hardly wait to see where you end up next. What excitement.

Good for you Joe, and congratulations !! dix608 said it perfectly.

Whoa Whoa Joe! good for you! hope to see you in these parts and we have extra tents, sleeping bags and such that will go nicely with UK's cushion:)

We continue to be in the deep freeze here in Boise, 3 weeks or so not even to 30 degrees F Snow on the ground that was covered by freezing rain last night. tomorrow they say it may get about freezing. we'll see.

I tried to change my pic to show the new red hat you gave me for Christmas ...let's see!

As I've commented often, not much exciting happens with our Livermore weather. Today, in its quiet unexciting way was an exception. Something resembling the radar capture below sat on top of Livermore and north central California from around noon until after dark. It simply did not move other than to fatten and wain somewhat until it broke up and drifted off around 7 PM.

STORM OF THE YEAR!


I wasn't able to capture the storm track data in the radar image, but there were cells parked on top of us with Vertical Integrated Liquid (VIL) values of 5 kg/m^2. That is the threshold of hail formation. We rarely see VILs greater than 1. We also didn't get any hail, but it was exciting to think that there was probably some of it up there whizzing around thousands of feet above our heads.

In total, this modest little storm dumped an additional 0.45" (11.4 mm) of rain on us. And, we have POPs of 30 clear through the weekend. AND, it is 52 F outside right now.

Cybersuze: Dotmom got one of those hats - like yours except in plum!!! It is quite cute. Sure hope it makes me look 20 years younger.

Weather: Oh yah, we got some going on this morning. Freezing rain, but it appears to be slowing. It is sooo darn cold out there. We are not going out for anything! Got the cheese and bread yesterday!

Below is one of the most extraordinary scenes that human kind have ever witnessed. It is a wild dolphin asking divers to HELP IT with an injury from a fishhook and line. Hardly any further evidence could be asked for that these creatures are our intellectual equals on this planet. This is, in actuality, an encounter with an alien intelligence. I hope that in the future, we will acquit ourselves with as much honor to our own species. Perhaps we had better for our own good. "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Wild Dolphin "Asks" Divers to Help Free Itself from Hook

...and if you hit Craig (or Ketchikan) on your way south, give the Craig Libe a call or stop by.

Thanks for the dolphin link Dave. It brought tears to my eyes. Having swum with wild dolphins several times in the past, I know how sensitive and intelligent they are. How sad that man's contraptions hurt innocent lives.

I watched that dolphin clip over and over on the BBC news channel on Thursday, it was so incredible how it kept aligning itself to best help the diver get the job done! Did you notice how the guy's hands were shaking like a leaf though?! What an extraordinary experience, and such a blessing that they could film the whole encounter and share it with the world.

Truly amazing.


The big melt is on – the last of the snow came overnight, only 2 inches here, but almost a foot fell in 2 hours to the north of here. Once that stuff feeds into the rivers, with all the heavy rain forecast for the next 48 hours added in for good measure, I predict floody trubba...

I watched the dolphin clip and also noticed how it tried to accommodate the diver trying to help it. I think that diver was pretty nervous too the way his hands were shaking. I can imagine he wanted desperately to help the fish so it could swim away. What photography. Memories of a lifetime for the diver and photographer.

So glad they were able to help the dolphin. From what I've read in the past, the hook should eventually rust away in the salt water.

We recently had a goose in a local park that was tangled up in fishing line. It was wrapped around it's neck, leg and wing. It could still hop fast and kinda fly enough that they had trouble catching it before it got to the lake in the park. They were finally able to catch it and take it to a local animal rescue/rehab shelter. The last story in the paper said it was doing great and would soon be released back at the park.

Dotmom: The weather you got a few days ago just missed me. It went just south of here. Temps here have been up & down between the low teens and low 60's. Had a little freezing rain over night & this morning but melting now. Highs in the low 60's this week then back down below freezing by next weekend. Daffodils are already coming up from the warm weather days. Hope they don't freeze out.

We are in the midst of an icy mess here in Iowa. It started early this morning and dumped enough 'ice pellets' (weatherman's discription) to coat trees, streets, driveways and all with about a quarter inch of very slick ice. Then it started raining about 8 o clock or so and added to the ice. Temps are right at freezing. More rain, snow, ice pellets on the way. Tomorrow it is supposed to be up to 40F and all this will, hopefully, be nothing but a bad memory. Poor dog needs ice cleats to get across the deck.
I am staying inside. Upright is good. I have no desire to try ice skating today.

iaotter, I think it was the winter of 1950 (I would have been 8 years old) that the small town where we lived, Paw Paw, IL was struck by a very severe ice storm. Enough ice was deposited to split huge, ancient ash and walnut trees, one of them in our back yard. By the time it was over, I don't think there was a 100 yard stretch of phone or power line in the entire town or on the road north to "Six MIle Corner" on US30, our main connection to the outside world. Some of the power lines were fattened to over 2 and a half inches before they gave out.

Fortunately, the old barn of a house we lived in did have a fireplace and we used it for probably the first time since coal-fired central heat went in, probably in the 30s. We were also fortunate to still own an old kerosene stove. I have forgotten a lot of the details such as whether we were able to keep the furnace going. It was hopper fed which required electricity, so I think not.

Dad got permission to leave McCormick Seminary and came home as soon as he could. He was a student pastor of the old Presbyterian Church in Paw Paw. It was all pretty exciting for a kid. We dragged our bedding and mattresses into the living room where the fireplace was and I recall keeping fairly comfortable and eating enormous quantities of popcorn! I kind of recall burning kindling and large lump coal in that fireplace.

The worst of the storm probably lasted about 24 hours, but we lived with the aftermath and cleanup for at least another week. The electric company had crews on site before all the ice had even melted and of course had cut off power before the storm was even over. But those first power lines that came down were really spectacular. The main line into the town came right down our street which is now called Flagg Street. In fact, we lived literally in the shadow of the church which is at the intersection of Flagg St. and Chicago Road.

The cleanup involved mostly the cutting up of vast amounts of firewood. I mentioned the big trees. We had an ash tree in our backyard which was probably 5 foot in diameter at the base. It rose to about 15 feet where the trunk divided into two very symmetrical branches; the ice storm split that tree right down the middle including the root ball. I saw my first ever chain saws during all that cleanup.

It was certainly one of the most memorable and exciting things that I can recall from my childhood -- and one I never desired to repeat!

After I wrote this, I remembered that I actually had a few old family photos taken that winter, I believe. So, I got them through the hoops with WU to show everyone. Dad took them with his old Argus C3 camera.

THE OLD MANSE IN PAW PAW


THE OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN PAW PAW (IT IS STILL THERE)


MY SISTER SUSAN AND I IN OUR COWPERSON OUTFITS

Dave,
Thanks for sharing memories and pictures. I don't remember that storm, I wasn't born yet. We do have interesting weather in Iowa.
I was complaining about the ice yesterday and realized that I must not mind bad weather all that much or I would be in MS or TX or AZ or FL or one of those places the snowbirds head in October or Novemeber.
Weather that was nice all the time would be boring!
Besides, I think the rotten weather is what makes Iowans live longer. If our ancestors survived it, then we have the genes for toughness and logevity.

what a beautiful old home Dave, and what an exciting story. Thanks for sharing.

More weird weather coming up for Iowa. After ice pellets, rain, snow and sleet Sunday, we now have thunderstorms predicted for this evening with temps up to 45 tomorrow. At least that will take care of the left over ice from Saturday night and Sunday.
I guess I shouldn't complain. I would rather dodge puddles from an inch of rain than shovel a foot of snow.
We need to moisture however it comes. One local forecaster said it would take about 8 feet of snow to put our ground moisture levels back up to normal.

I want to point out one small but interesting feature about the old pictures. Notice how grey the house looks. It looks like it hadn't been painted in decades. No. That was the color of the world in the age of coal!

Coal was simply horrid stuff. With dad off at school from Sunday until Friday nights, it was my job as the man-of-the-house, to tend to the stoking of the hopper that fed the furnace and to the removal of the clinkers from the fire pot. There was a special set of tong, suspended from a floor joist (furnace in basement) by a chain that allowed me to use my body weight to lever the clinkers up and out. It was a dirty job made bearable by the fact that it also made for the warmest that I would feel that day. The clinkers were usually between ten and 20 pounds each and gave off a wonderful glow.

But the leader of the United Mine Workers, John L. Lewis. took the coal miners out on strike during that winter of 1949-50 and we couldn't get actual coal, only coke from the steel plants in Gary, Indiana. Coke did not make nice gnarly clinkers that were easily busted up. Instead, the entire fire pot fused into this one massive cinder which could only be broken with great care, because it was nearly as hard as as the fire bricks that made up the fire bowl! It turned what had been a pleasantly warming job into a hot, sweaty, dirty battle. I detested the man clear into my adult years in spite of the good he did for his miners.

A famous John L. Lewis quote:

He who tooteth not his own horn, the same shall not be tooted.

John was a very pompous fellow.

Dad's old 1949 Ford can be seen parked at the right rear of the house. My bedroom was the second floor bay window; the living room was just below. It appears that there were actually two entrance to the house. The one that my sister and I are standing in front of had a mud room. I don't ever remember the other being opened.

Finally, those two stone stairs leading up to the church were actually two forts built for the very purpose of waging raging bb-gun battles. And of course, all sorts of flanking manoevers and intelligence missions could be run around the back of the building where there were plenty of shrubs and bushes for concealment. Sadly, it all came to an end one glorious summer evening when someone, I think it was me, cheated and brought in some heavy artillery, a 0.177 caliber Benjamin air rifle. Blood was shed; no eye's were shot out; parent's performed their parental duties; we were all sent to bed without our dinners; our precious fire arms were confiscated and locked in fathers' closets for the duration of the summer. We were back to throwing clods of dirt at one-another (in a vacant lot).

Dave: Love your narration of growing up with the coal and all. Our farm house looked somewhat like yours and we too had the coal furnace. I never had to shovel the coal in. Our house was two story and the upstairs was always chilly in the winter. I would stand or sit on the register and the folks would holler at me and tell me I was keeping the heat from coming out to heat the room - but my bottom and body were quite toasty. For some reason - I don't miss that old coal furnace that dirtied up the walls and every spring the wallpaper had to be cleaned because it was covered with the coal residue. Oh, the good old days. :)