Dreaming of Spring Gardening in the Middle of a Wisconsin winter part 2

[Callender Girl]

I'm all for opossums eating ticks, and I appreciate that they don't carry rabies. I actually don't dislike the so-ugly-they're-cute little villains. I could even tolerate them eating the leftover food EXCEPT they upset all the birds. As much of my life is centered around the comfort and well being of my critters, making my poultry unhappy is simply unacceptable.

My limited research indicates that most possums are solitary and wander off after just a couple of days. I'm hoping the newest nomad has packed its bags.

Speaking of unacceptable: dealership service department still has my car; as of Saturday, the most recently needed part was four days out; car has been in their shop since the 17th. I think they could have built a new one from scratch by now.

Happy note: It's only 16 degrees now, but the predicted high is 44 today. That means I can be cleaning thawing chicken poop out of coops instead of solidly frozen

Jim, I'm glad you're happy with 4 inches of snow; that's more than I've had all winter -- and I am THRILLED!

 

[Callender Girl]

It's supposed to get above 50 degrees today, my sister is coming up for a few days AND the SA alleges my car will be done by Thursday.

I am almost giddy!!

 

[jvls1942]

glad your car is nearly fixed,
I think we figured out why the heater doesn't turn on .
we suspect the thermal switch is bad.
not going to bother replacing it. quicker and easier to bring a heater stored in the garage and switch it out.
I am working on losing weight. a year ago I was 222 lbs
yesterday I was 2o2.
My new glasses do not work for me. I haven't had a decent prescription for at least 5 y ears.
yesterday I dug through a box of old glasses and found a pair that is better than anything current. still not perfect, but I can live with it.
17F at 6AM. might get above freezing today.

 

[Callender Girl]

I was planning to contact the service department manager at the dealership once I got my car back. Turns out, by responding to the Ford Motor Company survey and giving the lowest possible rating as an answer to every question, the service department manager emailed me.

I told him I would be happy to talk with him when I come in and get my car back.

Jim, sounds like your weight loss is coming along well. Too bad your glasses aren't what you really need.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'm loving this weather. Wish it would stay. I'm done with winter, can't it be done with me?

 

[ShrekDawg]

I'm loving this weather. Wish it would stay. I'm done with winter, can't it be done with me?

I wish

 

[Cebarmlds]

I'm loving this weather. Wish it would stay. I'm done with winter, can't it be done with me?

Our 'warm' temperatures were destroyed by high winds. The wind cancelled out any possible chance of enjoying a couple decent days.

 

[jvls1942]

17f at 5am , a good start towards the high of mid to high 4o's today, . I hope there will be no wind
I might make some experimental cuts on the table saw.
Barb, be diplomatic with the service manager. you might need him in the future.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Got a shock this morning when I saw something scampering away from one of my heated water bowls out in my big shed. It either was a giant rat or a muskrat. I watched it as it tried to jam its big butt through an hole in the wall that divides the shed. If I was as brave as Barb I could have grabbed it.

I noticed the last 2 day hay in that water bowl. A lot of it. I thought it was the muscovy doing it. My husband said he saw a muskrat along the road a few days ago and there was no water anywhere for. I'm pretty sure it's a small muskrat because I don't think giant rats put hay in water. I'm guessing this weather is messing up hibernation for some critters.

 

[jvls1942]

Lisa, I don't think muskrats hibernate.
twice I have caught muskrats while ice fishing.
they are kind of stupid, not really vicious.
i guess they will bite in defense.
a barn rat would have dove through that hole in the blink of an eye.