Sunday, January 10, 2010

Way Too Much Snow


Well, the snow just won't quit here in eastern Kansas. We had our first big snow in a long time, 11 inches, on December 24/25. Then last Wednesday, less than two weeks later, we get pounded again. This time 5 inches but much more wind and much colder. Wind chills -10F to -20F. And I get to shovel in all of it. We've blown shut many times and I'm all sore. Borrowed my brother's Ford 8N (see post of April 22, 2008: Tribute to the Ford 8N) with a blade and bladed us out once and for all today. The winds have finally stopped pushing the snow. The neighbors and us have seen nothing like this in the 12+ years we've all been out here.

Note on process: The sketch of the mailbox is my coldest I've done to date, at a sunny 7F.
I did it lead free, which is my habit lately, but especially for the time savings. A pencil sketch would take too long. In a short 5-10 minutes my fingers were numb, so I had to add color back in the warm house. The waterbrush would have frozen up. A couple neighbors drove by as I was sketching, so they probably question my sanity.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh Gosh - and we think it is bad here! Enjoyed the sketches and the writing.

Cheryl Gebhart said...

Well, you got lots more snow that we did! But then that's what happens when you're farther north. I don't know how much snow my DS has gotten, but the actual temps were what your wind chill was. He asked for silk long underwear for his birthday. :)

Love your journal pages as always.

tyanne said...

John, I love how your pages always bring the reader right into your experience. Luckily in MN we have more cold than snow. Only about 15-18 inches total this year.

Timaree said...

At least you have a sense of humor about it all! Clever solution to the mailbox problem. Didn't you just replace that mailbox a year ago from some vandalism?

Today we had our warmest day in a while and sat outside for a couple of hours in the 60 degree sunshine.

Barbara said...

It's been in the 50s here and I've been complaining more than you have. It is SO cold! - Barbara

Unknown said...

Great sketches and loved your journal entry! Had a great laugh at the last lines...my mirror lies a lot too!

nanke's stuff said...

Well, I have to hand it to you, you certainly did the situation justice! We have snow here in the mitten, but no where near as much as you do. It is very cold, tho. Great journal entry - well drawn and entertaining, as usual. nancy

donna said...

I enjoyed your sketch and journal entry very much. This has been some winter so far, huh?

Sandy said...

Yowsa, that is Big Snow - and blowing does not help one bit - watch out for those pesky heart attacks from shoveling - not fun!!! sure created a great memory page to laugh at this spring!!

daveterry said...

Great sketch journal John. Love your combination of sketch and journaling.