Ski Vermont! Which I actually don’t and never have….but I will be strapping on the snowshoes for sure.

It is winter. The worst part about it is that all those folks who walk around citing the Farmers Almanac (which seems to predict the weather about as well as that Phil the groundhog), will be right. We will have alot of snow this year……until the January thaw that is.

Oh…and my snowblower isn’t working. It was…until last night. Great timing! So there will be some shoveling in there for sure.

Keep at it everyone! Its another day closer to Spring.

Jeff

Go Sooners!

I live in Tulsa, and recently moved from a big house in one of those subdivisions where the developer bulldozed nearly every tree. We planted an oak at that house, and it reached perhaps 20 feet in height. I drove by the house Monday, and the oak had lost 2/3 of its limbs. I doubt that it can be saved, and I’m not sure the new owners will care to put in the effort to try.

My current house is in a neighborhood with many old trees–oaks, maples, sycamores, pecans, gums. The trees now mostly look as if they have been hit by aerial bombardment. Nearly all have suffered major damage. I think that perhaps 50% of them may be able to be saved.

We will all be the poorer for this.

You and I traded e-mails a few years back – you might recall I live in Joplin; I believe you commented that you lived here once. Was it that your dad was principal at one of the schools?

My heart goes out to you, and I think I know how you feel. Twenty years ago, my wife and I built this home in very similar circumstances to what you describe. Told the builder to leave as many trees as possible. Some were weakened by the construction, but we pampered them – fertilized, watered, nurtured them back to health. Out of 13 tall, 30-40 year old oaks we lost only 2 trees. In the front, we planted a maple each for our two daughters when they were born. Eighteen and fourteen years old now, they have become pretty trees, until this storm. A substantial portion of the largest, most impressive oak in the front broke and fell, destroying the maples in the process. We have, as our neighbors, other damage – but the front is by far the worst. I know how you feel, my friend…

Rick

We had a dreaded ice storm a fews years back. It is something indeed. Where I lived at the time…in St. Albans City, I was a bit insulated. I kept hearing about the storm and seeing news reports but in the city limits it was just warm enough to not hit. When I finally drove out, I could see what you describe. Trees that were topped and bent and broken over. It has taken years for the signs of it to be hidden by new growth. Vermont has trees virtually any place you look. In our situation, It worked more like a selected cut that allowed other trees to spread. Birches were incredibly susceptible and one of the most common trees to snap. People certainly did lose old growth maples however, along with other valuable trees.

I remember the push for generators and the stories that surfaced about people stealing them. Also how people were in stores about it thinking only of themselves. It rained throughout the process, heavy at times and flooding basements were an issue. It lasted nearly a week but had little effect on me and my travels due to my location. It was interesting that way.

One man was killed by a falling limb as he drove in his truck and another, who was a builder, actually started his generator in his garage and killed himself inadvertently. Sad indeed. But people helped people as well and the human spirit prevailed.

It looks tough on the news. We are sort of used to it here as it does that in many forms throughout winter. I dislike freezing rain more than about any type of weather. I commute 70 minutes one way and 4 wheel drive is a must have. Still, it is not a great situation to travel in. This morning was full of it as we got a weaker version of what you had there.

It is hard to believe the force of nature sometimes. It reminds you just how powerless you are and how insignificant you can be in the grand scheme of things….truly humbling. The weather seems to be able to do that more than about anything. We do not deal with tornados here but have the occasional hurricane wind.

It never ceases to amaze me however and if nothing else, you have to respect Mother Nature.

Our thoughts are with you folks indeed.

Jeff