It is Snowing

We have not had much snow for a few years in Southwest Mo., but we are getting enough today.  So much so, in fact, that the Cassville School District has already canceled classes for January 16, 2018, and I received the call shortly after 11 a.m. on January 15.

The following are some pictures my wife Madge tool just outside our backdoor…

and one more…

I am not a real fan of cold Winter weather, but it goes with having seasons, and I thank the Lord our Creator for them all.  Snow is beautiful because it covers all that is unsightly, ugly, and messed up.

From the banks of Flat Creek

`tim

Snow and Cold

It warmed to 52 degrees yesterday morning, then the temp started going down, down, down.

Last night when I went to bed it had gone all the way down to the low twenties.  This morning when I got up it was 18 degrees, and just a moment ago it was 15 degrees.

We also received a bit of snow.  At the moment there has been no cancellation of our school.  So I will be leaving to drive a bus in a while.

Everyone be safe out there this morning.  Have a great day.

From the banks of Flat Creek.

~tim

Coldest Day, So Far, of 2015

When I came into the Living Room this morning at 3:30 a.m. the outside temp was -2 degrees.  You read that correctly “minus two” degrees.

When I arrived home from driving the School bus the memory of the temp reader read the low temp to be – 3 degrees.  That was the coldest I heard this morning.

I guess it is because of where we live.  Down near the Creek, and low area, and the cold just settles in here.

I am thankful for a warm home, and heat.  Hope all are doing well in the cold.

-tim

Almost Unbelievable

I never wrote about it previously.  We had frost on October 04, 2014 here in our valley.   Have not had any since, but warmer weather. Last year the first frost in our valley was October 18.  It seems very unseasonal for late October to have mid 80 temps. Maybe not.

Must say that I do enjoy it though.  Yet I would prefer to have a Fall season, with cooler temps, preparing us for the cold weather that may be coming in Winter.

~tim

A Bit of Snow…

When I went to bed last night it was snowing lightly.  This morning when I arose I looked out the window to see, but a trace of snow on the porch, and the ground.  The temp, however, was biting at 12 degrees, and since then has dropped to 11 degrees.

I somewhat asked for a stable Winter this year.  I mean by that with more Winter type temps of thirty and below during the daytime.  It has not been quite that stable, but we have been having more cold days together than apart; at least it seems to me to be so.

Just heard from our son who lives in Mt Vernon, MO. that they had about three inches on the ground there.  I am happy for them. 🙂

Have a grand day.

-tim

Coldest Day – So Far

When I came into my living room this morning about 4:45 the thermometer read minus two (-2) degrees.  Thirty minutes later it was at -3 degrees.  The last time a took a look it was at -4 degrees.

I just took a minute and looked again; now it is at -5 degrees.  Is that what is called, “Dropping like a rock”?  I guess it could drop a bit faster.

I am sure thankful this morning though.  Thankful for a nice warm home.  Thankful for flowing water.  Thankful for many things.

I am praying this morning for all the farmers who will need to be, and already are out in this snow and cold caring for their cattle, and other livestock.  For those who are maintaining our roads; praying for their wisdom and safety.  For the EMT’s, and other emergency personnel.  May I add, if you do not need to be out, stay in, and stay warm.

One more thing;  if you just have to get out and drive on the  highways turn on your headlights.  It is good to be seen; not just able to see.  It is a matter of safety; not just yours but others who are out as well.

-tim

One Bad Thing…

…About having an inside thermometer for the outside is that you notice how hot it is outside.  I guess in the Winter you notice how cold it is; but to some “Cold” sounds pretty good right now.  I looked a moment ago, and the temp here at our house on Flat Creek, South of Jenkins, MO is 108 degrees.

I told Madge [my wife] just a while ago that I think this has got to be the hottest spot in the State of Missouri.  I do not know of anyone around who is ever as hot as we get.  Hey though.  I really do not mind the heat, as long as I can get cool.

I water the trees and flowers early of the morning just before, or as the sun is rising over the hill in the East.  It is warm at that time, and I usually come in the house rolling with sweat.  It tickles me blue to be able to do those things.  For a few mornings I have taken my new truck, gone to the gravel, shoveled what I would approximate to be about 1000 pounds of gravel into my truck and hauled it to the house; or as I did yesterday; up the road and filled some holes in the road; hopefully for a better ride down the road.  I did that before the heat got too much for me to bear.

It is great to be able to go outdoors, enjoy the weather.  One bad thing about this  time of year is for those fellows and gals who must work out in it.  My heart and prayers go out to you.  I say to you drink plenty of water and juices; without alcohol or caffeine; or it could dehydrate you.

One bad thing is that Winter is on the way.  On second thought; would that be so bad; at least right now?

-tim

 

First Accumulating Snowfall this Winter

I was really hoping for no snow accumulation this Winter; especially during the work, school week.  I was looking forward to getting out of school on May 16, but now that is not going to happen; it could be a day or two later now.  A day or two will not hurt.

It is best when that snow fall starts accumulating that the buses stay off the road.  It is safer for the students on the bus, the drivers, and for the schools.  I was thankful that they called me plenty early this morning to inform me by their automated School Reach system.  It is a system which notifies all the drivers, students and teachers at the same time; or near it anyway.  I received my call at 4:35 a.m.  I usually leave around 5:25 when I am riding with another driver into the bus garage.

This is our first measurable snowfall for 2012 Winter.  It is the first school day cancelled due to weather; and I  hope the last.  But who knows about tomorrow.

The snow sure is pretty, covering all the ugly of the  yard, and putting some niceties to the forms of trees.  I still do not like Winter, cold or snow, but I can enjoy it; and be thankful and appreciative of it.

Just sit back, if you can, stay warm and praise the Lord for His beauty.

-Tim

Coldest Day This Winter

When I got up this morning it was 3 degrees outside.  I am thankful that it was not that cold inside.  Whew!  What a mess that would be.  It has dropped a bit since then, though.  It is now 1 degree, and it says “falling”.

This is exactly why Winter is not my favorite time of year.  I like heat.  It seems when I am cold that I cannot get warm enough.  It may be all that blood pressure medicine or some medicine I take; but really I have never been real fond of the cold weather.

Winter is part of the seasons of earth, and I can readily, willingly and thankfully accept that.  I am ready for Spring and Summer.  Please no more of these extreme cold temps.

Thank the LORD for the heat; and the part the cold plays in our world.

-Tim

Coldest Morning

Living in Southwest Missouri is a mystery when it comes to the weather.  In nearby Cassville the temp is showing at 19 degrees; hear at my house at 4 a.m. my thermometer showed 8 degrees…and it is still at 8 degrees.

Winter began officially on December 22, and we have had really nice temps for Christmas, and it began to change a bit on New Years day, getting cooler with wind.  The wind sure does not help any.  We had much colder days before the official start of Winter.

However, this morning is the coldest since the cool weather of Autumn and Winter began.  Our coldest; up until this morning was 12 degrees; but I do not remember what day.  I just remember it being that cold as I stepped out the door to go to work.

We live in a low spot next to the creek, and that probably has something to do with our temps being cooler than other places.  I still like living where I do very much.

I am thankful for my home and the land on which we live and are God’s stewards of.  He has blessed us immensely.

Come heat or cold I will praise the LORD.

-Tim

Winter Twenty Eleven and Twelve

According to those who know at 12:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Thursday December 22 the sun ceased its trek to the Southern hemisphere, and has began its trek back to the Northern hemisphere.  The word and description are mine not those who are in the know about these things.

We have now officially been into Winter for almost thirty hours as of 6:00 a.m. Central Standard time.

What purpose does knowing this serve us except to show that we live in an intricately created world; that could not have just happened as the “scientist” try to tell us.  It definitely had a Designer/Builder; and this Creator still cares for this universe which He has made.

I did not intend to get into faith or religion or theology with this; but sometimes when I begin writing it just comes out.  That too has a designer and builder.  Like the seasons – Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter they are a part of the created order of things.

I am not particularly fond of Winter.  Cold, ice, snow, slick roads, heating bills, the wear and tear on the cars and trucks, not to even mention the aches and pains in the bones and joints of the bodies of men and women.  It too, though, has its beauty and purpose and I am thankful for Winter.

Why am I thankful for Winter?  It causes me to long for Spring and Summer and those warming, warmer, and greening up days; even mowing the yard.  It even helps me appreciate those extremely hot 114 degree days.  I think I wrote about it a few months ago, but the temp of one day in the Winter of early 2011 got down to around -30 degrees (30 degrees below zero) in at least one place around here where I live.  Then, one day in the Summer did get up to 114 here at my house.  That is a 144 degree difference; if my math is correct.

The daylight hours will begin getting  longer now.  To me that is a great thing.  What a wonderful work our Lord has wrought.  Especially in the birth, life and death, and resurrection of the Son of God.  Yes God does have a Son, and anyone who says that He does not; does not know my God.

Have a very wonderful, Christ filled Christmas.

From the banks of Flat Creek; and it is rolling quite powerfully right now.

-Tim

The First Snow

On Tuesday December 6 we got our first measurable snow.  It was in fact the first I had seen this season.  By that I mean I had not even noticed a flake or anything until I got up about 2:30 a.m. and noticed in the lights there was a pretty serious amount of snow falling.  It did end up being less than an inch, but it was hazardous.

We had school that day, but I think there were a few of us drivers who were probably thinking, “What are we doing out here?”  I was probably one of them, yet we just did our job, picked up those kids, and brought them into school.

On the way into the bus the road did not seem slick.  Driving was pretty normal.  The snow seemed to be dry and blowing off the road as you drove over it; however it was packing under those wheels,  I guess, and it became a sheet of ice on some roads.

When I pulled out from Wildcat Drive onto Business 37 by the Administration Building my bus went sideways, and into a sign, breaking out the right rear clearance light, and I noticed later a mark on the sign.  I saw one driver in the ditch on his side on Highway 76 East of what is known as Bates Corner.  I rarely am stressed about driving, but this morning was an exception to that.  It is probably a good thing that I was.

Without further incident or accident every bus made it safely back into school with all the children who rode that morning.

Just to note: our people at the school who make the decisions concerning weather conditions do a good job, and this morning was no different; considering the time and conditions.  It was not slick, then it was.  There was many incidents/accidents that morning, but thankfully not many were too serious; that I know of anyway.

Now safe and warm on the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

It is Snowing Outside

I sure hope it is not snowing inside.  That would mean we were cold; when actually we are warm and cozy inside the house while the snow is falling; at least it was a while ago.  I have not looked to see recently.

I just went and took a peek out the front door with the porch light on and it did not seem to be coming down very heavy if at all.  I am not a fan of snow fall, but I will take what we get, and learn to live with it.

The temp outside when I got up was 26 degrees.  That is probably just right for a good heavy snow fall; but I pray we do not get that.  It is good for the ground, and that is about the only benefit there is for it except if you live in a ski resort area, than that may be your income.  For you I pray you get all the snow you can handle; and many guests coming to your slopes.

Everyone be careful out there this morning.  The roads may be slick and dangerous.

From the snowy banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

The Heat of the Week

Yesterday August 02, 2011 is about as hot as it has been.  Really there is no doubt about it.  It was the hottest it has been all Summer anyway.

Records were set in 1954 and in 1980 for heat, but it appears that those records are being tied or bettered by the current heat wave.  I still don’t believe in “global warming”, because, right now in the Southern himisphere it is Winter, and I would almost guarantee that there is snow, ice and cold down there; and they are wondering where the heat is.

We just as well set back, and enjoy what the LORD of the Universe and all that is has given us.  We are warm, not freezing.  Many of us live in air conditioned homes.  Still for those who don’t go get wet somewhere, get in the shade.

By the way; the temp here yesterday reached a high of 111 degrees.  Things burn up when the temps get that high, including weeds.

Things are hot, dry and brown on the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Maybe It was Mowing the Dirt

I wrote a post the other day that I title “After Mowing”.  I spoke of mowing dirt and the heat.  It has been hot; there is certainly no denying that, but I choose to be thankful for it, rather than complain about it.  I mean think of the alternative – it could be below zero, and without the heat of the sun to warm us there would be no life at all.

The other night while I was sleeping I had a dream of snow and slick roads.  I guess that was a way of reminding me of last February.  I must admit I don’t do much outdoor work when it is hot like this.  It probably wouldn’t be too wise for someone who has had stents placed in their heart to do so; at least too aggressively.

I did go out yesterday afternoon to move a mound of dirt which was out in the yard from the septic lateral, which I had to mow around.  It was just a small mound.  I took my pick and shovel to it and had it moved in short order, but in that 100 degree sun it made short work of me too.  I thank God for those guy and gals who are out in it doing road work, building houses, farm work, and all other legitimate work.  No matter what your age may be; working out in that sun’s heat will zap your body of needed nutrients and strength.  Take care of yourselves.  Drink lots of water; no caffeine or alcohol; these will harm you rather than help you.

Maybe it was mowing that dirt that caused me to dream of cool weather and snow.  I know it is a coming.

Watching the sunrise along the banks of Flat Creek.

-Tim

Winter’s Cold Ice – Again

It has happened once again. The State of Missouri has been hit with an ice storm again. I think this makes the third one in the past 13 months. In January of 2007 several thousand homes were without power, and for quite some time people were hurting without heat, and the comfort of their homes.

I don’t know of any in my area who have lost power. I must give our Electric Cooperative applause for their maintenance of our electric lines. The Barry Electric Cooperative is very good at keeping the wires cleared of timber and brush. Even that though, sometimes is not enough. This ice can grow quite heavy as it builds up on the lines. These men are ever vigilant to keep the power on and for that I am grateful to them, as should be all their customers. Let me make one thing clear before I continue with this post; I am not an employee of the cooperative, but only a customer, and I guess since it is a Rural Cooperative I am a member as well, who is very proud of these men and women who keep it going.

This is being written on the second day of school cancellation at the Cassville School District. My usual departing time for the morning – to go and drive the school bus – is about 5:15 a.m., and it takes me approximately 30 minutes to get to the bus garage. When I left yesterday morning it was about that same time. There was ice on the car, which I had to break loose from the door, then started the car, took the ice scraper to the windows, then departed. I had gotten nearly half way to Cassville when my wife called my cell phone and told me that my Supervisor had called with his automated call, and informed all drivers there was no school.

I found a place to turn around, and I came back home. The roads were getting “slickery”. That word “slickery” is a word I learned from my four year old grandson. I liked it so I use it here. They were icing, slushy, and driving carefully is required in such conditions. When I found a good place to turn around I came home. Then, it continued to pile up some more.

The temps are not bitterly cold, but it is still Winter, and I am still waiting for Spring to arrive. I have never made it any secret that Spring and Summer are my two favorite seasons of the year. I am, however, very grateful to our God and Creator, for everyday of life and living. It all comes from Him.