Jack Russell terrorists reluctantly sported their pink and purple bones fleece jackets and ottbs were cozy under their blankets. Farm women went from breezing around in flip flops and shorts, to remaining toasty layered in silk long underwear. Cats puffed up and snuggled as necessary, and the Shimmy Shack maintained a (barely) tolerable temperature.
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| Hurry up lady! |
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| Yep - I'm shivering... |
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| Not cold - hungry... |
I learned a lesson about counting my chickens however - a last walk around next door this evening at dusk (different property, shared well point) revealed that congratulations about winterizing success were premature.
While the well pump short cycled, a geyser of water spewed from the outdoor shower head. Despite wrapped water lines, the lack of a cut off valve led to the the rusty fixture giving way.
B & C's Fake-Ass Plumbing rides again. (that should lead to some interesting traffic) Dad and I were able to cut and plug the lines - disaster averted, unless you consider working on plumbing outdoors in sub-freezing weather after dark disastrous. I'm still cold...
We shall see about the gardens tomorrow. Hoping a blanket of hay leavings mitigated the plummeting temps, but I'm prepared to start over. Our unnaturally mild conditions of late were too good to be true.
Tomorrow is also my (theoretically) last appointment with Dr. Dreamy. Hoping for the all clear so I can return to work, to maintaining my property, to riding my horse...
Plumbing emergencies in cold weather are the worst. Been there, done that and you have my DEEPEST sympathies. Glad you got it repaired though and glad you and Val are surviving this awful weather!
ReplyDeleteHope your doctor visit goes perfectly for you. We are very cold here but getting through it. Love all your pictures! I especially like your new header. Hang in there it will get warmer sooner for you than us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute dog coat!! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Die, Winter, Die! Well we have not seen 70 degrees since September, this -40 needs to be gone! Stay warm! Rain is up next :(
Hope your appt goes will!
Very impressive header! Good luck with Dr. Dreamy. It sounds like you fared better than we did in the pipe category. At least you were able to fix it without any pipe blow outs. Glad you are all staying warm.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your Dr visit!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm hoping this foul weather will clear up for my US friends.
That's plenty cold if you're not used to it. We hit -18 with wind chills around -48 - but who's counting at that point? And water problems in the winter - what a delight!
ReplyDeleteStay warm and best wishes for the doctor's appt.
Today should be better for all of us here in NC - good luck with the doctor's appt. and stay warm 'til the normal temps return!
ReplyDeleteAye... I know our temps in CA aren't as bad as everyone else but it feels like the cold hit everywhere with a vengeance!
ReplyDeleteOh no...water problems in the midst of cold. Ugh. This has been a nasty one - but seriously, animal caretaking seems always fraught with difficulty. At least it does in our world - winter or not. We just keep fighting nature, I think. But it is oh, so worth it for the blissful rides.
ReplyDeleteHope the Doctor's report is a good one!
Good luck at the Doc's! Love the header too! I have experienced busted pipes also, so not fun! Glad you got it fixed, hope it warms up quick for you.
ReplyDeleteUgh! Those big temperature swings are colic weather. Hope you and Val and everyone else weathers the weather well! And fingers crossed for a good report from the doc!
ReplyDeleteI have a fantasy of having my own place. Def not my husband's fantasy. Your plumbing adventure makes me think I'm better off without, as I am def not the handiest of people.
ReplyDeleteI am waaay too familiar with fixing plumbing in freezing temps. One thing we have learned restoring an old house is to put shutoff valves EVERYWHERE so you can isolate things as much as possible. Someday we'll get around to putting frost-free spigots in too - you know, the ones where the shutoff is buried several feet below ground? Nothing like wrapping your pipes and praying it works when it gets in the teens and 20s! I hope things warm up soon and the one pipe is the only casualty.
ReplyDeleteHahahhahaa! This post is so funny! We've been super cold here too but the last few days have been quite a heat wave--in the 30s. I resorted to a blanket for my mare when the temps promised to drop past -10. I STILL like winter and would never consider making a snowman voodoo doll, but yours was HILARIOUS. There's nothing wrong with giving Mother Nature a little pushback, especially when she acts so heartless and cruel. I mean NOBODY likes temps that low. The only upside is that it might just get cold enough to kill the ticks! Now, if I could make a voodoo doll of a tick, I'd do it immediately!
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