h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Two days ago, the radio station I listen to said that a big snowstorm was coming to Boston. They predicted one to two feet. Yesterday, the predictions were adjusted upward: 16 to 24 inches, with some areas getting 30 inches. This morning, before a single snowflake had fallen, a local television station [WCVB]predicted 34.8 inches. I think 27 inches was the previous record, so this is likely to be a historic storm.

This morning I got out my eight-foot ladder and leaned it against the house nearest the spot where my furnace vent is. I will need to clear away any snow that might block the vent tonight around midnight. Four or five hours later, I will need to climb back on the ladder and clear away whatever has accumulated overnight, when it is likely that snow will be falling at a rate of three inches per hour. I'll be out shoveling whatever has accumulated every three hours tomorrow. In addition to my good new shovel, I have also rummaged in the storage shed for an older shovel that might be needed if the new shovel breaks, or if neighbors need to borrow it.

There will be winds of 30 to 40 miles an hour, with gusts up to 65 miles an hour. If the electricity goes off, cold and darkness will be problems. Last night I bought four scented candles [two vanilla, and two lemon], plus a wristwatch so I can tell what time it is with the power off. Saturday night, the temperature will be ten degrees F [22 degrees below the freezing mark]. I have dozens of quilts and bedspreads, so I can probabkly keep from freezing, but I worry about my pipes.

I hate these storms!

Keep the faucet dripping, and store some water, just in case.

Stay warm, and keep us informed, if you can. We're pulling for you down in the South!

And mind you don't slip on the ladder.

If you can find it after those 60 mph winds

btw: snow heaped around the foundations keeps things warmer inside
Years of more snowfall we could count on as years of lower fuel costs.

Paul, I am sorry to hear that you have been having snow storms. Have not had much snow this winter, and I hope that it changes as snow acts as a buffer to the drone of noisy traffic that I hear throughout of most of the day and night.

Wrap up warm, Paul

I'll lend you me Matt


lil xx

I did fall off the ladder, but first I did pull away enough snow from the furnace vent to keep it open a while longer. My back hurts,though.

Ohhh noooo
Is it possible to put a floppy rag on a broom handle and swat the snow off?
You have to do the aspirin first (or ibuprofen) so it doesn't hurt to do the swatting.

I know it is 1:30 am there so I know if you are awake it is to keep that furnace flue open.
I have had to stay up all night keeping my house warm with woodburning heat a few times.
Its doable.
But you probably are faced with having to turn off the furnace if the flue gets clogged?
How could the design be so off?! Or is it just old?

Anyway, hang in there and be safe. Here's that floppy towel.

In the past I used to sacrifice a goat in an attempt to appease the snow storm monster. But nowadays we can predict when the storm monster cometh, and being forewarned is as good as being forearmed.

Weather prediction - one of mankinds greatest achievements to date.

>> Keep the faucet dripping <<

What does that do? Is it supposed to diminish the chances of a burst pipe?

be safe, be well ok Paul, don't take any undue chances

Thick snow is blanketing the north-eastern US as a major storm cuts power to thousands of homes and plays havoc with transport schedules ... Meteorologists say the storm could be New England's worst for decades.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21392242

Running water takes longer to freeze than still water.

You be careful, paul, you hear me?



Be safe.

Batten down the hatches, brother!

"You be careful, paul, you hear me?" [Amy Pawloski]

I'm as careful as anyone sitting in front of a computer could be..

My back is a little better after a good night's rest. Getting up on that ladder to clear snow from the furnace vent was absolutely necessary, though. I loathe having to do it, but I had the right equipment for it, plus a soft, deep snowbank behind me to fall into if[i.e., when] I lost my balance coming down the ladder. The back pain came from feverishly shoveling a path to the ladder and then twisting my torso to get the end of the rake as far as it needed to go. I do that sort of thing once every two years or so, and it takes less than ten minutes. It's effective, though. I woke up this morning with electricity, heat, and running water. I'm in better shape than the 400,000 people who lost power in the state. Another 200,000 people in Connecticut and Rhode island are without power.

I have four or five books to read, and nowhere I have to go this weekend. There's a huge snowdrift on my front porch. The ice was freezing onto my doorknob last night, so I left the door unlocked just in case. No one can get as far as the porch, anyhow.

I hear the furnace starting up again. This is as good as it gets.

Because of the high winds, the snow is unevenly distributed. I have no idea how much snow we've gotten, but it's likely two feet or more.

You really ARE going to appreciate spring when it comes.

I can even appreciate late Winter if it's milder than this.

A little while after lunch, I grabbed my snow shovel and headed for the front door to shovel off the porch. When I looked out, though, the snow was missing. Turns out my kind neighbor had shoveled the porch, the front walk, and my car, all the way out to the road.

There's a travel ban in effect, imposed by the governor at 4:00 p.m. yesterday. The ban will be lifted at 4:00 p.m. today. Exempt from the ban were snowplows, utility crews, medical personnel, and [of course!] the media.

Since I won't have to shovel snow, I went out for a walk [walking is supposed to be good for the back], but it's so cold with the wind chill that I can only stay outdoors for 15 minutes....

What a great neighbour.

Seriously, rather than risking future slips on the ladder, I'd install a taller vent.

They can be had at building contractor suppliers.




Also mind your blood pressure and don't forget your support stockings.

They'll help to keep you warmer in any event.