… is enough. A touch of ice is enough to scare this girl who grew up on a new Zealand beach.
My new truck with four wheel drive has saved my bacon twice in the last two days. Though I do not start her up often – this vehicle uses a lot of petroleum which is a resource I try not to abuse, (and I believe limiting the pollution released into the atmosphere is a personal responsibility), when the conditions are icy and snowy and dangerous having a big heavy four wheel drive vehicle of my own has enabled me to be independent in the winter.
The cooking oil car does not start in the cold and slides like a skateboard across ice. So the truck is already proving itself to be a good investment in safety.
Now that the real cold is here, we are always aware of slipping on ice. Our footsteps literally change from confident summer strides to short picky movements keeping the center of our bodily gravity directly above our feet. Our heads are dow like beach combers watching the ground for the hidden patches of ice. As we milk the cows any spilt milk or water begins to solidify within seconds and is slick within a minute. I could not sweep and clean the floors last night. They were already frozen solid. I had to scrape them with a shovel and call it good.
The steps, the pathways, the drive – all have a coating of ice so far. Last year I remember we had very little ice, I never even cleaned off the sprig boots.
Every winter is different.
Our visiting cat returned at exactly the same time in exactly the same place at milking time last night. So I fed him. Seems fair. Maybe he is Author – you never know. Stranger things have happened at sea.
It is 9F/-12C right now. Today we have a high of 23F/-5C, dropping to a low of 3F/-16C with wind (though I am not reporting the windchill temperatures – I find them so depressing). This weekend the weather is going to get even colder – very cold actually (forecasting a low of -10F/-23) – not fun for farm animals or their handlers. However it is only for a few days then we rise back into the 20’s.
Then the sunny weather we are having today will start to feel good!
I hope you have a lovely day.
Love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
60 responses to “A Touch of Ice …”
I think a farmer deserves a truck, especially in this weather. It would be funny if i was Author returned – if only he could talk. Is he friendly? Those piglets look very happy in their round house 🙂
No, he is not friendly and neither was Author – the plot thickens. Yes i love the round house and with the movable roof i can close it down even more when the weather gets super cold.. c
Ah! Maybe he’s been living close by and has come in from the cold.
GAH!!! Awful weather right now all over the nation, but I will not complain down here in the South. We go from 72F on Friday to snow and arctic wind, temperatures in the low teens with wind chills below zero. BRR!! I can’t even imagine what you northerners willl be dealing with! Keep warm and safe, dear C!
I am going to work fast this morning – we have a wind advisory from 9am on. Wind plus cold is my least favourite! c
The wind is hardest on animals. I worry about the ice mostly (for you). I am thankful we are only getting snow. Ice is always a game changer and not pleasant! We get it a lot here but thankfully it usually melts quickly. Snow doesn’t stick around long either.
That is very cold indeed. I hate ice, it is so dangerous. Kitty looks happy there, like he belongs.
He is being very quiet! c
Yeah, we’re in for it, all right. One of our more respected weather forecasters several years ago — before the Polar Vortex — described a weather pattern where it’s awful in December but January brings kinder weather that remains for the rest of winter. I’ll be thinking of him over the next few says, hoping this is a textbook example of the weather pattern he described. I’ll be going out for more rock salt later this morning just in case it’s not. Good luck today, Celi.
Yes – I am with you on being with that guy! At least this first blast of extreme cold is short. This snow is not going anywhere in a hurry though is it!.. c
Get those crampons on your boots asap. Just love the barrel of piggies. Laura
Author as a kitten – https://thekitchensgarden.com/2013/06/07/pigs-build-nests-just-like-birds-but-not-in-a-tree/
Laura
Thanks for the link. I missed author’s story. ( Very nice photo, Miss. C. It reveals a lot . Your eyes are so alert to beauty and the stories it tells.)
Goodness, stay warm (if possible) my friend … and upright!
Wouldn’t it be nice if it was Author! And I agree, that barrel of piggies is dear.
I can’t tell if the Visitor Cat has Author’s pale eyes… His coat is darker, and of course he’s much chunkier, but that could be his age. I have my fingers crossed that you stay safely vertical – be careful on the ice so close to your trip, Miss C. You don’t need to add a plaster cast to your luggage weight allowance!
Or a broken BUM!!
That would be a real drama, bearing in mind how long you’ll have to sit on the plane(s). Take good care…
Horrible thought!
I love a striped brindle kitty almost as much as the orange ones. Love the rooster looking over into the pail too…. So is that a glimpse of the elusive Our John?
So want to hear about crazy weather – Friday & Saturday we will be in the mid to upper 70’s – and then Sunday the high will be 33. Hubby says it is Mother Nature having a Hot Flash. Which I concur – when I have them it feels like my temp has jumped about 40 degrees!
I hate ice too. I think the more you think of slipping the more likely it happens. But I walk very gingerly, at least that way you can feel if your about to slip. Hopefully ! Go carefully.
Love your center of gravity tip when walking. I seem to have developed a fear of falling this season.
We’re at -30 C this morning….. I think the animals deal with it better than we do – well except for the hubby who thinks this is just the best weather 🙄.
That’s about -24F – Horrible! I have that t look forward to I suppose.. c
I think by the time you get to your destination….it will have warmed considerably – this cold snap is not supposed to carry on much longer. (You’ll be about an eight hour drive from where I live). Enjoy your holiday.
Thank god – though I have to admit all I want to do is lie on the couch and watch movies – I am tired!
sometimes it is necessary to use items that we do not always agree with but in times like this it is vital to your survival. Please take extra care deat Celi..no broken legs or even worse…our love will keep you warm and safe
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 2:25 PM
A 4 wheel drive truck is essential for every working farm. I have a 4 wheel drive suburban left over from my days on the mountain with deep snow that I’m hoping works well today. We are getting rain and snow mixed and below freezing temps. Nothing like yours though. My drive to the airport tonight should be interesting. If even possible. I am still trying to figure out what Swedish sprig boots are?
Ah, yes, the ice, always a concern. My sister-in-law Rosie slipped on ice last winter and suffered a concussion. Effects linger.