Results of the Wind

"Where have all the...leaves gone?"

The wind blew pretty good last night, stripping the last of the yellow leaves from the trees. The termination dust had crept about half way down the Talkeetnas this last rainy week but the wind brought warmer temperatures and the snow retreated over night. It currently 51 degrees at Trippingovermoose Ranch.

Fall Fell

After the Rain

It's been raining the last few days with a bit of wind. Most of the autumn leaves are now piling up in wet drifts on the ground. When the sun peaked out this afternoon I thought I would get a shot of the leaves remaining attached to the trees and the termination dust on the Talkeetna Mountains.

Another Year

Maybe it'll get better in 2009

Kate and I always spent New Years Eve together. I don't recall that we ever went out to a party or celebration, neither of us were into loud parties or being around drunk people. That's why our social lives were family get togethers, quiet dinners for two at Evangelo's Restaurant or making dinner at home and watching movies from the couch. I spent New Years Eve alone except for a sleeping old husky next to the recliner and a frightened husky panting and pacing. Shadow is terrified of firecrackers. My neighbors loudly celebrate New Years and the 4th every year. I went to bed at 11 but at midnight was joined but a shaking 75 lb husky attempting to crawl under me in the bed. We were awake until the explosions stopped at 1 am. The -23 F temperatures must have driven them indoors early. Usually they stay up at least until 2 am frightening my dog.

Weather update: The Thermometers are still OFL and we are going to get a little wind for couple of days. Wind chill tonight of -38 F.

The Wind Died Down

Dropping Like a Rock

The protective wind stopped blowing last night.
When I got up at 4:30 am to go to work it was -21 F.
So I went back to bed. When I got up 3 hours later
the weather stations both read offline. I know from
past experience that means it's colder that -23 F.
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Yes, It's Another Weather Announcement

Sorry!

I know I said that I would try not to make this blog about the weather. And I have tried to stick with that as much as I can. In spite of the fact that I personally have 2 weather stations at my house. However, I find this interesting and I don't have anything else to write about so here goes....

Here in Southcentral Alaska we are in a seasonally normal cold snap. The temperature in the Matanuska Valley and the Anchorage bowl is currently about -10 F. Except over at TrippingoverMoose Ranch at the base of the Talkeetna Mountains. The last few days we have been experiencing high winds pouring down from the Copper River Valley, through the Matanuska River Gorge and sliding along the northern edge of the Matanuska Valley. As a result our temperatures have been averaging 15-20 degrees warmer than the rest of the area. Of course, with the wind our chill factor is -25 F but that's another story. Here's a current screen shot of the Wasilla temperature and a shot of my neighbor's weather underground station just down the street.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Now, that's a knife!"

2/8/08 - Friday evening I was using my folding Gerber hunting knife to dig dried wood putty out screw holes in my spiral staircase. Yes, it was the wrong tool for the job. Yes, I know I could slip and stab myself. Fortunately I missed the major nerves, ligaments and all but one artery in the my left little finger. The doctor at the urgent care was able to stitch it back together and stop the arterial spurting with 7 fine stitches. I'll have a scar across the fingerprint of that finger when the stiches come out on the 22nd.
The next day, while sporting a large bandage on the injured finger, I dismantled the spiral stair and built a new stair case. Pictures to come this weekend.
The weather has warmed up. It's currently at or above freezing. We had some snow and wind the last few days with more predicted for the next few days. It's a nice break from the -23 degree temps of 2 weeks ago.
Happy Valentines Day. Roses and dinner out with Kate.