This storm is in a hurry....

[gerisullivan]

The 9-12 inches that's supposed to fall here today has been downgraded to 5-9 inches. Alas, that's not because the storm is weaker than expected. The 3-6 inches that was forecast for last night? I just finished shoveling 11-12 inches of it.

One thing's for sure: Toad Woods is getting its 14.4 inches and then some.

The other is a matter of taste: snow falling at 2-3 inches/hour sure is pretty. Until it hits an area I have to shovel, that is.

Comments

[castleclear.livejournal.com]

Woo! That's a lot of snow! Best wishes and fannish hugs,
John

[maruad.livejournal.com]

I had a mind cramp for a moment and was thinking you were still at Toad Hall. This immediately had me worried about how far north the storm was reaching and whether Winnipeg would become one with the abysmal plain come spring time.

I am glad you storm is pretty and I do pity you for the shoveling you will be forced to commit. Some one needs to invent a snow blower that runs off rechargeable batteries which will work in cold weather.

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

They've sort-of got that; they use this neat technology called an "internal combustion engine". You can charge it by pouring in a special liquid.

:-)

[maruad.livejournal.com]

In a province where hydro-electric power is so cheap, the internal combustion engine makes very little sense except when infrastructure and/or technology have not kept up. Unfortunately automotive technology is in that category.

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Well, seriously, there are snow-blowers that work off normal AC. You need long cords (even longer for a place like Toad Woods, maybe?), but they're easier to manage than for a lawn mower (lawn mowers go back and forth a lot, to fill space, whereas sidewalks are only one or two passes wide, so less cord management hassle).

In fact, the one we've pretty much picked to get one of these days is an electric (probably a bit small for Toad Woods). There are even big two-stage electric models.

I doubt that the cost of gasoline vs. electricity to run the snow-blower through its entire life is a significant part of the price, though; it seems to me a strange thing to make a big issue of. (On the other hand, an amazing number of people seem to have to have their gas-engined snow-blower repaired each winter; probably because of improper "summerization" for the sitting season, but I'd most likely commit that sin myself. Hence our decision to get an electric one for us, when we do.)

[maruad.livejournal.com]

I can't remember the source (maybe Quirks and Quarks) but I am under the impression that the 2 stroke engines usually used in snow blowers and lawn mowers are worse polluters than car engines.

We have a lawnmower that is powered by re-chargable batteries which works well for me. We probably would have an electric snow blower if we had storage space for it even with the cord. I obviously like using electric as much as possible. My wife doesn't agree on all aspects of this and our next vehicle will not even be a hybrid as nothing out there, within our budget, will sit 6 adults comfortably.

[randy-byers.livejournal.com]

Y'all sure do get your exercise out East. We had a small snowstorm last night, but it turned to slush by this morning. Made my morning hike to work a bit of a chore, but at least there was no shoveling involved.