Week of Sept. 28 to Oct.4, 2009

Monday, September 28, 2009
It is calm and sunny this morning, but I found it necessary to build a small fire to take the chill (54 degrees) off the sunroom, which is the last part of the cabin to get direct sunlight.
After my coffee and usual morning, I changed into my work clothes and went outside to tackle some of the jobs I’d like to finish before the snow flies.
I started to shore up the lean-to that I had thrown together last year, for storing my excess firewood, and while I planned on it being temporary, I decided to make it more permanent. I ended up deconstructing the roof and supports so I could make it sturdier to withstand the snow load. It took all afternoon and I managed to put it together and install a metal roof to keep the snow off the pile.
More play time for Zack, shower, dinner, some television and then bed.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009
It is a bit warmer this morning and I had my usual routine, checking the National Weather Service for the latest forecast, and then planning my day. They are still predicting rain tonight (40% before midnight) and then a 90% chance of snow after midnight, with continued snowstorms for the remainder of the week. All of the predicted highs are in the low 40s with nighttime lows in the low 30s.
For a moment there, I thought we would make it all of the way through September without any snow, as I have always had one or two good snowstorms before October. Last year I had a good storm on August 30 and again in September, so I expected at least one this month.
Scott Settle, who owns the cattle that free graze in my area, stopped by to visit and told me that he would be taking the cattle out this week or next. When I told him about the prediction of snow, he decided to open the gates at the cattle guards and let the cattle wander back to the Marysville area so he can drive them back to the ranch for the winter.
I spent the afternoon reestablishing my internet, as Hughes turned my service off, due to their inability to automatically charge my monthly auto pay for my account. This is due to my Citi card being terminated due to a hacker stealing account numbers from their system. I drove to the Divide for a cell phone signal and called Citi Bank to have them revalidate my card, then I called Hughes and had them put the charge through again. It cleared without a problem and they reestablished my connection.
I finished the day by cleaning out the lean-to next to the generator shed and moving the Argo back to its proper parking area. I also cleaned up the stuff that had blown into the creek bed and even some items that ended up on the other side of the creek, and into the trees, by the high winds of the past couple of days.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Before going to bed last night, it began to rain, just as NWS predicted, and I awoke to an inch or more of snow. It has been snowing, off and on, all morning and although NWS changed the forecast a little, it is supposed to snow most of today and then again on the weekend.
I have spent the day on the computer and watching television as it continues to snow. Zack still got his playtime, albeit in the cold snow, and seemed to enjoy the return of the white stuff.

Thursday, October 1, 2009
I received about an inch and a half of new snow and it was 32 degrees at 10 AM this morning, but I could see blue sky to the east. The sun has been breaking through the clouds every so often and by noon; the temperature was 41 degrees, causing snow to slide off my roof and onto the deck with loud thuds.
The sky is going from a brilliant bright white to a gray shadow, as the sun plays peek-a-boo from behind the clouds. NWS is predicting partly sunny for today and tomorrow, with snow likely on the weekend. I am using this time to catch up on some things inside that need my attention.

Friday, October 2, 2009
I woke to clear blue skies and lots of sunshine, but it was still 30 degrees outside at 10 AM this morning. NWS is still predicting more snow for the weekend and chances through next week. The highs are predicted to be in the low 40s, with lows in the 20s and 30s.
After my usual morning, I changed and went out to clean the generator shed so I can rewire it for the return of the generator.
Okay, as usual, I got distracted and never did go out to work. I got a message from Face Book and got involved in reading all of Kathy’s (legendsofamerica.com) updates on her latest trip, and then ended up answering a bunch of messages that I never check on Face Book. By the time I got done with all of that, played with Zack, fed him and Zoey, did all the dishes and built a fire, it was 6:30, so I just decided to relax and watch some television.
At one point in the afternoon, Zack alerted to something or someone outside and was serious about it. He barked and pawed at the sliding door to get out and when I looked, I could see nothing. I opened the door and he bolted out, running full speed towards the creek. That was when I saw a very scared bull moose take off running in the opposite direction. I called Zack and at first it appeared that he was going to ignore me and catch the moose, but then he stopped and returned to me.
I didn’t think he would challenge a moose, but I guess I was wrong about that. He goes after deer and elk because they run from him, but he seemed very intent on bagging a moose. I couldn’t get mad at him, but I want the wild life, at least the non-threatening ones, to come around and his barking keeps that from happening. I haven’t seen a single deer come into the yard this summer. Some of it may be because of the cattle grazing in the area, but it is also Zack’s urine odor and barking.

Saturday, October 3, 2009
It is overcast and cold this morning; with the early morning low of 19.3 degrees. By two O’clock, it was 46.9 degrees in the sun and snowing. I’ve never experienced snow at this temperature, but my weather station and eyes aren’t lying. I have had light snow flurries all day long, and now at 6:15 PM, it is 34 degrees and starting to snow again.
I needed to wash all my bedding due to having a smelly dog share his odor with my comforters. I washed the sheets and both comforters, plus my regular wash of clothes and towels. I needed to start and run the generator to keep the water pump running, along with the dryer and other electrical items. Zack and I played several times and then I gave him a bath so he won’t dirty the clean linens. This, along with working on the computer, has taken all day. I am now drying the last comforter that I use like a bedspread, and will shower and eat some dinner before relaxing in front of the television for the evening.

Sunday, October 4, 2009
It has been blowing snow all night long, and it is a corn snow, small dry crystals; it has covered the deck and ground, but isn’t sticking to the trees or even the roof, and the wind blows huge billows of it all around the cabin.
While reading my emails and enjoying my coffee in front of a warm fire, the power went out. I went to start the generator and realized that I didn’t have any gasoline and the tank was minutes away from being empty. It then dawned on me that there was gas left in the large tank for the big generator, which I still haven’t gotten back from the shop, so I siphoned it into a 5-gallon gas can and filled the small generator. Now I will have the taste of gas on my lips all day long. Yuck!
I didn’t think the chipmunks would be out on a day like today (blowing snow and 29 degrees), so I didn’t put out their usual fed of peanuts and sunflower seeds. By 10:30, two of them came to my window and sat there waiting for me to come feed them. Once I put out the morning feast, they called their families to come get the goodies.
Yesterday, one of the chipmunks got into the freshly filled bird feeder and kicked out all of the seed just he could get the sunflower seeds that is part of the mix. I have four or five different birds showing up today and finishing off what is left, so I guess I’ll need to refill it just for them. There is plenty on the deck and ground, but it is currently covered with snow.
I will spend the remainder of the day on the computer and puttering around the cabin, so I’ll prepare and send this weeks updates now.