Wednesday, March 28, 2018

20 Years & Counting

Happy Anniversary Demi!  Hard to believe it's been 20 Years.  It went quickly. Looking forward to the next 20.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

The Storm Which Wasn't

This Nor'easter was predicted all over the map.  The forecast started with minimal snow for the South Shore.  Then the totals kept creeping up.  Soon, the forecast called for two feet of snow.  School was shortened to a half day.  Work told us to work from home.  All for nothing as it turned out.  We got a few blasts of flakes but no accumulation.  I was just fine with that.  It was about time we skated.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Round 3 - 2018

And we have another Noreaster, ladies & gentlemen.  This time we have snow.  There is a danger of more power outages.  More flooding.  More high winds.  The heavy wet snow has a tendency to pull down more trees and branches.  At least the South Shore is on the low end of the snow totals.  This will be a north and west event.  It is another region's turn.
     We got a lot of rain first.  That means wet slush under the snow.  The key is getting off the driveway before it freezes.  Then rushing over to get it off the old man's driveway and steps before he can start to shovel.  It is way too heavy for him.  I don't like him snowblowing it either, unless he uses the tractor.  Coco pitched in next door, which was extremely helpful.

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Newport Weekend 2018

The Demi birthday celebration continues.  A weekend away in Newport, RI with the Depots. It started on a sad note for me though.  I attended a wake for a high school friend's youngest brother last night.  This was the same kid to whom I gave my high school football practice shirt, when he was about 8 years old.  He was thrilled at the time.  He ran around the house and yard in that shirt.  He hardly ever took it off.  I can't believe he is gone.
     I was able to shake it off to have dinner with Demi and the Depots.  We had an amazing dinner.  We went to another establishment for drinks after.  Then it was dancing the night away in the Boom Boom Room.  A grand time for Demi.

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Round 2 - 2018

All rain this time.  Demi and I had to keep checking the attic. We realized that we lost roof shingles in the first storm.  By coincidence our construction guy was in the area.  But he was unable to get up on the roof with a tarp or to fix it, before this blast.  We didn't find any water, which is good news. And we didn't lose power.  All in all, not a bad storm.  There was more flooding over on the other side of town.

Monday, March 5, 2018

Back in Business

The lights are back on.  Almost 72 hours without power.  And you know what?  No complaints.  We were lucky.  We had the generator.  We had the wood stove going.  We have a gas cook-top.  The fridge held up well.  This whole ordeal was inconvenient at most.  Sure there was a cold shower at the gym, which was unexpected.  Like freezing cold.  Woke right the heck up.  But we are all healthy.  No damage to the cars.  We lost a few roof shingle.  But even that is not a full fledged breach.   People on Facebook are ridiculous in this town.  Hardly anyone prepares for these storms.  Very few can manage or know how to survive.  But they sure can complain.  They never would have made it through the blizzard of '78.

Saturday, March 3, 2018

Armageddon 2018

I really have never seen anything like the aftermath of this storm.  The damage was incredible.  So many trees were down.  The tall pines that usually snap, were totally uprooted.  A large number of people experience damage to their cars and houses, either from the wind directly or from a falling tree or debris.
     It is the only time I can recall, where there was a town by town travel ban put in place.  As soon as it was lifted this AM, I went out to get some some gas.  Little did I know at the time, mayhem was in abundance.  There was no power as I drove towards Marshfield center.  I quickly turned around and headed towards Pembroke.  The problem was, no power meant no traffic lights.  Most people nowadays are terrible drivers in perfect conditions.  When there is no traffic light?  Forget it.  No one knows the rules of the road.  Do you think anyone driving on route 139 was stopping at a traffic light?  Not a chance.  People trying to make a turn or cross route 139 were SOL.  They finally got inpatient and started right into traffic.  I went about 3 miles, avoiding a crash, until I had to turn around.  There was a tree across 139,  I tried a different way home but that was blocked.  Each next attempt at a new way home was blocked.  I finally had to go back the way I came out originally. 
     I got some coffee.  I ate quickly.  Then I grabbed every gas can I had, plus my father's.  I headed back out to route 139 but this time went route 3 north.  I figured heading away from the blast radius was a good idea.  As I past the first exit, I noticed an open gas station.  As I explored the next exit and struck out, I went back to the open gas station.  I got in line.  Yes, a line for gas.  How 1970.  At least I was in the short line.  I filled up the car and all my gas cans, then headed home to replenish the generator.

Friday, March 2, 2018

Storm Season 2018

The first major storm of the season hit today.  What is odd is that there is no snow.  The storm has hurricane force winds and a lot of rain.  If it was cold, we we would be buried in snow.   The lunar cycle is not in our town's favor.  The tide are exceptionally high, so flooding is inevitable.  The pictures I have seen are unreal.  I have never seen the water so high, in all my years living in this town.  We are talking 4 decades worth of calling Duxbury home. 
     Despite it all, the girls are trying to rally for Demi's birthday.  Two of the out of town guests can't make it.  One was flying.  The next flight would be Monday.  The trip to Cape Cod is canceled.  Now the local girls are just trying to get out to dinner.  Seems like a bad idea, but these grown a** women can make their own decisions.  Little does my sister in-law know but my brother is grabbing his chainsaw, just so she can drive into the neighborhood and come home.  A large tree is blocking their street. 
     Dinner is finally called.  We lost power just around 5 pm.  Demi is still trying to accomplish something, so she went for take out.  She struck out at 4 restaurants, since their power is flickering and no longer doing take out.  She grabbed Wendy's for Coco.  I am glad she is finally home, safe and sound.  We can all settle in for a movie.  The generator is running, so it will have to be a DVD.  Which is just fine.