Sunday, March 04, 2007

Mariah

Way out here they have a name
For wind and rain and fire
The rain is tess, the fire's Joe,
And they call the wind Mariah.

The words to this old song came to mind the past few days. We had the most of unusual winter storms. Unusual because of the direction and duration of the wind. It went on and on like a not very good sermon. It came from the west north west as opposed to every other blizzard I've had a part in here in Nebraska where they always come from the NNW. That approximately 9 degrees differnce doesn't mean much if you own a cement driveway in front of your house and need to clear it. On the farm it puts drifts where they have never been before and has all the farmers talking. It meant that all of the E-W roads were mostly blown clear except for drift causing obstructions like groves of trees and houses. The same roads you avoid when we've had a big blow from the North. The N-S roads on the other hand were impossible this time.
The wind blew from the west so long and so hard that I'm pretty sure the snow piled on my farm must have first hit the ground somewhere in Wyoming.
The problem is this. I have all of my corn bins to empty this month. I wisely sold the corn last fall before corn doubled in price. I usually don't have to pay Uncle Sam much in taxes anyway so why start now is my theory. The second problem is a drift 30 feet wide and about 200 feet long that sits right smack dab in the middle of all of the grain bins. There is mud under that snow and I can't push it because where it needs to go to is already full of deep snow and the wind has driven the snow into the consistency of cement. So I've called in a man with a Caterpillar or dozer tractor to push the snow for me. I can't let the snow melt where it is or it would be muddy here for a month and I'd never get the corn hauled out of here.
The good news is it was 43 degrees here today. That is also the bad news. We've got surface water and mud and a lot of it because of the melting snow.
Todays lessons:
1.If you know about how much money you are going to make next year...be happy.
2.If you just have one lawn and one driveway to take care of ...be happy.
3.If you must pay the United States Treasury a lot of money each year...be happy.
4. If worrying about the weather isn't a year round, daily concern for you...be happy.
5.If you live on a farm...be very worried but happy.

19 comments:

1 plus twins said...

cliff how about this lesson that i try to live by every day.

every day you wake up above ground is a good day!!

hope your warm and the wind settles soon!

Anonymous said...

Happily stopped by to say "hello!"
(Okay, it was also to look at that adorable young pic of you, that takes my mind off of suburban worries since I'm up at 3:20 a.m. still.......) I look at that photo and imagine you regaling us with stories and opinions in person... smiling is healthy, laughter is happier!)Thanks, Cliffers. :)

P.S. I've blogged an average of once/twice a week for the past cople of years. It probably seemed like once/month to you, because I didn't cosolidate all of my blogs until a few months ago. If you ever have trouble posting, feel free to email me, and I'll post your comment, if you'd like. I don't want visiting my blog to be stressful. I receive too much spam to be able to blog without that filter, or I'd remove it.

nora leona said...

"I wisely sold the corn last fall before it doubled in price."
That is the nicest way I've ever heard that told. The word "wisely" is usually replaced by a swear word.

You're right about knowing what your income will be this year. My Dad rents out the farm land and is retired from General Motors. He proudly proclaims that he is on a "fixed income."

Moving the snow will be a pain, but I'll bet your grandson will love watching it.

EV said...

Geez-a-lou, Cliff. I don't know what to say. I hope things turn around. I'll bet none of these weather aberration would have happened if we'd only listen to Al. Take care.

Cliff said...

Yep Mike, I need a little global warming. I'm going to go cut the freon line on my freezer to help out a little.

Rachel said...

Well Cliff I'm glad the wind has died down finally. I hope the Caterpillar gets the job taken care of so you can get that corn out okay. Too bad you sold it before the prices went up!

But that is life. Keep your chin up!!

Kendra Lynn said...

Whew...I will pray you get all that snow and mud cleared out.
Farming is hard work! Good luck.

Kendra

Rhodent said...

Maybe hurricanes once in a while are not such a bad thing after all...

When spring comes, even though it will be busy for you, you will be happy to be on that beautiful spot of land! In the meantime... I will expect lots of terrific blogging which i am sure you need to do to take your mind off of all that snow and the impending consequences of its melting!

Lee said...

Heavy snowfalls certainly do create loads of work. It may look pretty in pictures and particularly to us who don't experience snow, but the photos never show the after effects and what you have to contend with.

LZ Blogger said...

Cliff ~ Have you dug OUT yet?! ~ jb///

LZ Blogger said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cliff said...

Jerry, we got out Saturday afternoon although it was kind of just a tunnel. We only had two areas on the farm that needed attention. Big ones.
So I've got a help coming in the morning to move the snow.
The main road to town had sporadic problems. MOstly clear but where there was trouble there was big trouble.

Jim said...

I feel for you, Cliff. At times like this being a farmer is an unimaginable type profession.
We are hearing around here that because the world didn't freeze up [Great Lakes, etc.] there has been a brodacious amount of snow.
I believe you got your share.
..

Unknown said...

The streets should soon be clear, as the temps are climbing, but we still have all the piles on the corners where they carved the paths. When I saw the big Cat loader spinning it's 6 foot wheels, I knew it must really be slick...

Unknown said...

P.S.

Thanks a lot. I now have the soundtrack from Paint Your Wagon stuck in my head.

Paul Nichols said...

It's good and hardy folks like you that make this country beautiful. You da man, Cliff. God bless.

Jamie Dawn said...

43 degrees is good news?! Not to me!
Anything under 65 is chilly, and once it gets near freezing temp, all the liquid in my body turns to ice.
The bottom line is, I prefer warm weather.
Wind just makes me grouchy.

I hope your snow drift/farm flood problem is quickly resolved and that all the corn gets to where it needs to go.

Raggedy said...

I hope the snow removal goes well.
All you need is the same wind from the opposite direction right?
I like your attitude about the corn. I have an oat story that goes about the same way.
Be Happy!

Have a wonderful day!
*^_^
(=':'=) hugs
(")_ (")Š from
the Cool Raggedy one

Paul Nichols said...

By the way, "Mariah" is one of my favorite words. I like the way it canoodles my senses when I say it.