We've got genuine blizzard conditions in Northern Virginia today, with at least a foot of new snow and high winds. It's so bad, I haven't seen
anybody outside, not even the neighborhood kids (not even the guy next door who spends most of his day walking his dogs). I went out for a little while to dig a path into the yard for the convenience of Mabel, the official dog of Paco Enterprises, and was put in mind of
this classic tale by Jack London.Update: Photos of the New Ice age (click to enlarge).
Three-and-a-half-foot killer icicles.
The Paco Command Igloo.
Heroic, but futile, efforts to dig out. Note the Al Gore signature anthropogenic global-warming goggles, to protect yours truly from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light reflecting off of the snow.
Right back atcha, Paco, from snowbound Ohio. My county is at level one snow emergency, meaning "Stay home!" I need snowshoes just to go out to the bird feeder.
ReplyDeleteWe're counting on PACO Enterprises to keep the House and Senate shut down for the rest of the week, so keep that snow machine cranking, please.
ReplyDeleteOdd, it's sunny and 70 up here in Maryland.
Retread
Retread: What, do you have a heated atrium with sun lamps?
ReplyDeleteWait until that snow, melts, Paco. Then you can go swimming in your front yard.
ReplyDeleteJeffS is right, Paco. When that stuff melts you'll be swimming...that is until it disappates leaving only mud. There's always something, isn't there. But look on the bright side, you could hire a few "ladies" and do a Rule Five shoot in the front yard. Wouldn't do anything for me, or maybe your wife, but they guys won't mind if ya do. In the meantime..."Mush! You huskies!"...or is that "More marshmallows, please!"
ReplyDeleteDeborah Leigh
At the risk of jinxing myself and this area, surprisingly our area has had little impact from this latest winter storm.
ReplyDeleteI've had enough shoveling my ski jump driveway and I know for fact, that I've made the producers of Ice Melt, quite a chunk of change.
I'm ready for SPRING, pollen and all.
Best wishes Paco and Rebecca. Uhh, Retread sunny and 70, is it? What pray tell is it outside?...lol.
Popular Mechanics 16 Cardinal Rules for Snow Shovelling via Instapundit.
ReplyDelete#1. Stretch first
#1 (a). Grab a brewski, fughgetaboutit and lay back down.
El Campeador, it's about 20 degrees and a foot of new snow outside, but I'm trying to make denial work FOR me.
ReplyDeleteThe pumpkin pie ought to be cool enough to slice soon, and instead of over ice I might try single malt over freshly fallen snow. God knows there is no other use for the stuff.
Retread
LOL, Retread. Go for it.
ReplyDelete"You see things; and you say "Why?" But I dream things that never were; and I say "Why not?"
George Bernard Shaw
Enjoy the pie AND the single malt :)
Hi ya, Campeador! Glad you're avoiding this mess.
ReplyDeleteRetread: I haven't tried denial yet, but it's a good idea.
After spending the better part of the afternoon shoveling out her sidewalk and driveway, my husband had to listen to the nice old lady up the street expound on how this is all further evidence of global warming. I told him to put all of the snow back where it was.
ReplyDeleteAt the risk of jinxing myself
ReplyDeleteUmmm, remember the above? Guess WHAT? 'Tis snowing..DAMN IT!
I knew it, I just knew it. Move over Retread, got any single malt left?
I'm sure your pie is scrumptious, uhh, but I'll have another single malt please.
i can't see out my windows for they are covered in snow from the wind gusts. i did open the front door and there is a snow drift at the bottom of the steps that looks higher than i am tall (well that's not saying much!). too bad i don't have a camera. but the photos would only show "white". i saw a couple of brave gentlemen digging out their cars. too windy for me to go out there. i guess tis cocktail time and wait until tomorrow morning to dig out.
ReplyDeleteHere in the steppes of Colorado the sun shines brightly and the sky is the bluest of blues. I appreciate all of you on the east coast for taking a bullet for the rest of us and keeping congress at home where they can do us no damage.
ReplyDeleteZardos: Tis a far better thing that we do, etc. My biggest fear is the possibility of running out of espresso and cigarettes. If they don't get the snow plows going tomorrow or the next day (I heard that they had pulled them all off the roads early this morning because of blizzard conditions), I may have to walk the two miles to the grocery store.
ReplyDeleteUphill, both ways...
ReplyDeletebacalou
Doesn't she hava' a new pair of shoes?
El Campeador, I've got a bottle and a half of scotch, and a bottle of gin complete with tonic but no lime as back-up. If Paco will break some of those swizzle sticks off his window I think we're set.
ReplyDeleteRetread
paco, i am reduced to rationing my ciggies. at least i only have to walk 2/10s of a mile to wawa to replenish..tomorrow...
ReplyDeletemove over retread, i am going to partake of your hospitality and finish off your single malt. i will bring my limes as compensation
Ahh Paco, old friend, old buddy...woudja' mind breakin' off some of them there swizzle sticks?
ReplyDeleteUhh..you know, like at one time I wasa' high level, medium rank, lower echelon floor sweeper with Paco Worldwide Enterprises, Inc.
strop
What a fully loaded drunk says, right after he whizzes by an eightsided sign, that reads..STROP.
missre, bring ciggies instead of limes and it's a deal.
ReplyDeleteRetread
Speaking of huskies, have you seen the PacoPup since this stuff started coming down? Or are you only seeing a lump tunneling through the snow with only a occasional nose popping up to see if it's reached Pismo Beach yet?
ReplyDeleteRichard: Mabel really takes to the stuff. She gets out there and sticks her head into the snow as far as it will go; looking for chipmunks, I suppose. Although she does get a little nervous at not being able to see over the drifts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the pictures for those of us that have no snow but lots of mud.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the pictures for those of us that have no snow but lots of mud.
ReplyDeleteOops. Guess it did go through after all.
ReplyDeleteYes, the snowdrops are doing fine; the daffodils are up next.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Hey Paco
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to the Jack London site. First time I have read his work and To build a Fire is a masterpiece. 96 more stories to go.
As a matter of fact you have put me onto my last two favorite authors, Simon Scarrow and Bruce Catton.
Keep warm and if you drop the matches I hope you can catch Mabel.
Cheers
Mick
Eureka! Paco you've got the inspiration for the next single digit budget off-Hollywood pic, "Attack of the Killer Icicles!" Or if you prefer, "Attack of the Killer Swizzlesticks!"
ReplyDeleteBTW, why does it look like the shovel has been photoshopped out of the picture? Has there been any thought about putting a blade on Mrs. Paco's wheels?
Best Wishes,
Deborah Leigh
Mick: I'm happy that you like those authors. Scarrow is one of those writers whose books, in my opinion, just keep getting better and better.
ReplyDeleteDeborah: No wonder I had so much trouble shifting the snow!
Last good snow I was in was Lexington Park, MD about 4 years ago. KINDA wish I was joining y'all...but not a WHOLE lot.
ReplyDeleteWhenever the weather is frightful, I am SO glad I gave up cigarettes. I remember walking a couple miles in Indiana because the rationing hadn't outlasted the beer. I was in my early 20's, originally from Montana (where weather like that often came in September, not just January), and made the trip no worse for the wear. With extra beer.
Now it's Coke and chocolate and chili cheese Fritos. And I'll only be stranded during hurricanes, not for snow. *sigh*