[AT] test Now cold and tractor cabs

[Mike]

I'm with you Greg, I'm in Hartland, where are you located? This winter 
has been the worst I remember, and I'm 47. We are running out of places 
to put the snow, and the drifting for days on end make keeping the 
driveway cleared a real challenge. We have horses, and the drifting was 
so bad that the path to our manure pile drifted shut. A friend with a 
newer F-350 couldn't bust it open, and got hung up on the frame several 
times, and needed to be pulled out. Finally, yesterday a neighbor with a 
pretty good size John Deere and a snow blower was able to open it up for 
us. I heat with wood, and have plenty available, but with the cold and 
wind our stove does struggle a little bit. I pre-bought 500 gallons of 
propane this fall at 1.79, and I'm still at 60% with another 130 in my 
"bank" so I should be good until spring, as it's only used for a cooktop 
and water heater. Some neighbors and friends aren't so lucky, one was 
forced to pay 4.00/gallon and could only get 150 gallons at a time. They 
figure that will last them 2 weeks with this cold, which is about 300/ 
week to heat their home! I'm ready for this winter to be over.

Mike M

On 2/9/2014 12:20 AM, Greg Hass wrote:
> Here in Michigan we have had the worst winter in over 40 years. In fact,
> I HATE WINTER.  We have averaged at least 15 degrees below normal since
> mid November. When I planted my last field of wheat they said I could
> plant for 2 more weeks yet. However, after I planted we had only one 60
> degree day and all the rest were 40 or below.  I think most of it came
> up but what did got no fall growth so we will see in the spring if it
> makes it.
> As for weather, I think we have had only one day above freezing in the
> last two months. For three weeks now, night temps have been at or below
> 0 and day time has been between 5 and 20 degrees. The same is forecast
> for the next week or so. I am also getting sick of moving snow at least
> 3 times a week. In fact, I have to go clean again tomorrow. For some
> reason, almost all of our winds have been from the southwest which has
> never happened in my memory. The way my place sits, my yard is protected
> every direction but south so the yard gets blown shut every other night
> as well as I have had to clean the mailbox at least 15 times already
> compared to once or twice in a normal year. My method of cleaning is a
> small skid steer (23 hp twin cylinder Honda engine) with only a back
> window for weather protection. The front is open and the sides are
> expanded metal. I suppose I could cover the sides with pieces of carpet
> but then its hard to see. It's amazing what that little machine can do
> but with all the blowing snow it takes a lot of time. The past two years
> I only have had to clean twice a year and then I could have gotten by
> with once but the machine was out so I tidied up.
> As for heat, I have a corn furnace. The past 5 years have have used
> under 5 ton of corn a year. This year I got 4  1/2 ton and it will be
> gone in 2 more days. I haven't decided whether to get more corn (which
> at this time of year is a huge undertaking or just go with oil heat the
> rest of the winter. I have heard that LP is as high as $5.00 a gallon,
> and a couple of people with guaranteed pricing got a fillup and were
> charged $2.50 a gallon over their contract.
> And finally; winter projects. Every fall we will say; well that's a
> winter project. I'd like to know how, with most nights around 0  or
> below and daytime of around 10 degrees. Plus, for the first time in
> years all my buildings a surrounded by 4 feet of snow. Even in my shop I
> have things in the way that belong in other buildings but I can't get to
> them to get them out of the shop. Yes, as some would say , it could be
> done but I am old enough that I have fought a lot of bad weather and am
> just not willing do do it unless I have to. The only up side to this is
> that I got rid of all livestock about 15 years ago so at least I don't
> have that battle to fight.
>         Greg Hass
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