Yearly Chores.

It was a cold and blustery day when I decided to switch out my summer tires for the winter set. I had always been conscientious about maintaining the van, and I know that good tires ware essential for safety on the road, especially during the winter months.

I retrieved your winter tires from the shed where they had stored them over the summer, and with a little bit of elbow grease, I was able to get them stored in the back of the van in no time. I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. Off to the garage tomorrow

After I finished moving the tires, I decided to tackle another winter-related task: moving the snow blower from the shed. I knew that snow was likely just around the corner, and I wanted to be prepared. I carefully moved the snow blower out of the shed and put it on the patio.

With the snow blower out of the way, I of course had extra space in the shed. I took advantage of this by moving the barbecue inside. I had always kept your barbecue on the patio, but I knew that the cold winter weather would not be kind to it. By storing it in the shed, I could protect it from the elements and keep it in good condition for the next grilling season.

As the day came to a close and I locked the shed door behind me, I couldn't help but feel grateful that all the hard work was done. I know that by being proactive and taking care of my tires and winter equipment, I am setting myself up for success, no matter what the weather had in store.

Big snow happening today, on the last day of winter. How appropriate. With this snow, maybe I will be able to use up the rest of the gas in the snow blower.

Alberta

Saw this ad. Winter in Alberta. Experience it. My first thought was: You must be crazy.

Snowfall

It's alright to wish for snow, as long as you don't complain about it afterwards and are prepared to shovel where needed.

Windshield Wipers

When I went outside the other day and hopped into my van, I noticed a bit of snow on the windshield. Not thinking too much about it, I started up the engine and 'crack ', the wipers went across the glass and one kept going out onto the driveway. It seems that the day before I had neglected to turn off the wipers all the way. Under the snow was a bit of ice that froze the wipers to the glass. Hence the loud crack when the wipers broke free from the ice. 
My son came out, found the parts and put it back together. So, lesson learned, at least for that day.

A lot of rain yesterday. Rather have rain than snow. I don't have to shovel rain.

Woe is me. I broke my shovel.

There was a time when only two of us on the street had a snow blower. Now, almost everyone has one. Did a lot of driveways back then.

Almost Feb. and I haven't used my snowblower yet. Amazing.

Heavy rain & wind last night. Lucky it wasn't snow, we would be up to our necks.

Snow! Really?

A low pressure system is forecast to develop off the US coast and pass south of Nova Scotia overnight Saturday into Sunday.

Snow and strong winds giving reduced visibilities in blowing snow are expected to develop over much of mainland Nova Scotia overnight Saturday. As much as 10 to 15 cm of snow are forecast for Saturday night with additional snowfall expected for parts of the province on Sunday.
Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.

Winter storm watches are issued when multiple types of severe winter weather are expected to occur together.

Oil Change

Got my tires changed on the van this morning. Faster and cheaper when you own the rims. Also, had an oil change. Oil changes for this van cost more because of the different type of filter. Strange looking filter. 6' high and about 2' across. Looks like an air filter. I'll put up a photo. On the way home it started to snow. Turned to water on the ground.

Robins and Snow.

  

I was looking out the front window and noticed a Robin on the front lawn. He lands back here every spring and has done so for years. He is attracted by the last apples that fell last fall. It seems to be his morning snack every day. As I watched him, I noticed snow flurries again. The 6th of April and still we get snow.

Although I bought a new snow blower a couple of weeks ago, I am certainly not hoping for more snow. I can happily wait till next winter. My neighbour gave me a key to his shed so I could have his snowblower when I needed it. I have a 32" - it is extremely heavy, and it only throws the snow a few feet. Needs a new belt, and again, it is just too heavy to manoeuver.

My wife and son went over to Sears Clearance one Sat. and saw they were getting rid of all blowers. They had a whack of them. They took photos, then came back and showed me. I finally capitulated and went over for a look. By then, there was only three remaining. So I picked up a 27". What I liked most about it was the new feature. There is another switch on it. Just squeeze it and it lifts the wheels and front off the ground. I can just slide it to the next row. There was also one screw missing which is not a problem.




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Try Again

March 15, 2010
9 am. Try again to keep this up to date. I blame it on Twitter. It gets all my sentences. By the way it’s PensionersRant
Toast and rhubarb from our garden for breakfast. The weather says 10C/50F today. I know this is someone’s else’s weather, but I don’t feel guilty. Wonder if this climate change is permanent or just a one shot affair. When you have six months of winter, there is a lot you can’t do. Everything goes on hold.
My neighbour said I could have all her firewood because she doesn’t use it. So I hauled that over last week. I have a lot of splitting to do some time this summer. Took my lawn mower apart. The broken one I scrounged. Found out it had a broken shear pin. Getting a replacement may not be easy. Not many places around that fix mowers. Most people just throw them out.
5 pm. I called a place to check out for parts. Said they had it in stock. So I drive for half an hour thru the city and lo and behold, what did they say? No, we don’t have any. Parts will be in on Wed. Give us your name & Ph.# and we’ll call you. O.K. did that. What else can I do. As I was driving away, I remembered that I had another name of a place. It was 45 min. from my house in a different direction, but I went anyway. When I got there, a sign on the door said “Closed On Mondays.” Can you believe that?
After that, I did the next best thing, I gave up for today. My wife had stew & french bread for supper. And I think that was the only good thing that happened today. See, you can have a miserable day without even trying.