Storm Clouds

Gathering Storm Clouds

The clouds are gathering for a thunder storm over Burleson Texas

Working the Chain Gang

"Grunt" is the sound of the Men on the Chain Gang

Making big sticks into little sticks

It's the sound of the men working on the chain gang.  All day long.

Spring Where

Spring what Spring

Bubba, said I don't see any spring.  Where is it.  I'm ready he said.

Bubba's World

Crazy Weather

Bubba was just telling me yesterday, how crazy this weather is.  Now just wait until he wakes up this morning and sees the new snow.   

Flying Squirrels at the Feeder

Friday Night at the Feeders

The flyers are bouncing off the poles on the side of the house and the feeder.  It's suppose to fall to -20 F tonight here on the old Permafrost Ranch.  It's really good weather for the Permafrost Crop.  It's a shame the price is down on Permafrost.   

Bottom fell out of the Thermometer

Frost on the Pumpkin

There is more than frost on it this morning said the old squirrel.  It's down right frozen.  

Awww cool clear water

Cool Clear Water

It dropped way below freezing last night to 21 degrees and all the water was hard.  They sure appreciate me putting it out fresh water for them this time of the year.  

Midnight Raider

Red Squirrel in the Dark

Caught this little guy on the feeder long after dark.  Our days are growing shorter by the minute, the leaves have mostly fallen and there is a hint of snow in the air.  The hawk returns.

Cold Wet Summer

Summer has been one of the wettest and coldest

Sunday Morning coffee and conversation with Budda Belly.  As he was saying, it's been one of the coldest and wettest summers he could remember.  At the time, this old squirrel was cruising the Informational Super Highway.  So, I showed him the article in the Anchorage Daily News  The by-line read:  "Summer is officially over in Alaska, and if you got out in the sun to enjoy both days of it you were lucky."  

Bottom fell out of the Thermometer

It's been a long cold spell in the interior and the great Tanana Valley. I thought yesterday that we were slowly working our way out of the deep cold, but upon awakening this morning. The thermometer on the front porch read a cool -50 F. It's a deep biting cold that works it's way into everything. No matter what one does, it just makes it hard to do. Whether it be the drive into work or the grocery store. It affects equipment and cars and you. Everyone is bundled up and in the ice fog that comes with this deep cold, we all look like the Pillsbury doughboy in shape or the Michelin man. Nonetheless the little squirrels here on the Permafrost Ranch come to the feeders for something to eat. It doesn't seem to slow them down, and as I watch them through the window from the warmth of my office it never ceases to amaze me that they survive in these temps.

Alaskan Cold Snap

I awoke this morning to the temperature gauge showing -47.2 F here on the Permafrost Ranch.

Cold snap

Here it is suppose to be spring, and we are having below normal cold weather. I'm wondering where is all this global warming. I'm just kidding of course but winter isn't wanting to leave our part of the world. It's hanging on by it's icy nails. We have had little snow to insulate the ground that my septic line has frozen, I'm waiting for the steam truck to arrive today, and steam out the line. I've know of some folks who are having similar problems and even some have had their wells freeze. We still have water but can't use the drains...

Living in the far frozen north has it's advantages. When your septic lines are frozen, the advantages are hard to find. Specially at the cost of 110 dollars an hour for a steam truck and operator to come thaw them out.

Winter

Here it is the 28th Day of February and it was a cool -40 F this morning as I drink my first cup of coffee. Life in the far north, has it's drawbacks. And this is one of them for sure. I'm looking forward to the lengthening daylight, and a lessening of the extreme cold with the slow slide into spring. It reminds me of that old Johnny Horten Song, "when it's spring time in Alaska, it's 40 below"

Cold snap

The permafrost crop is blooming, with this latest cold snap we have had. Last night, the tempertures dropped down to a cool -48 degrees F. No matter how one looks at it, that is cold. Extreme cold and its suppose to fall in the same range tonight.