Post Thaw

Temperatures soared into the high forties this weekend, which meant a lot of melting.  Unfortunately, everything was a block of ice beforehand, so it just turned wet and now it's freezing back up.  Can't seem to catch a break these days.  I'm a little surprised at the effect this thaw has had on me.  I like winter.  I love snow shoeing, I love cross country skiing, I love the way the sun lights up a snow covered field, so why am I so ready for winter to be over before it's really begun?  It seems that each winter has become more of a chore than a welcomed distraction, and I can't help but wonder if the season has changed, or am I just getting old and even more cranky?  At any rate, I am so ready for April.

Photos before the thaw.

The last storm was pretty gross; about 2" of snow and then a day of sleet and freezing rain.  The weight of the slop brought down a massive limb off one of the pines near the main paddock.  I came home to find the run in shed entrance completely blocked by one limb the size of a small tree, and three limbs laying on the run in shed roof.  Some of the pipe panels were bent and one had a weld let go.  Thank goodness for a very kind neighbor with a chainsaw, because it was much too heavy and large for me to simply move.  The mules were thankfully unscathed, but cold, wet, and on edge.

Yeah, I've had enough.