Day of Ice

After a brief snowfall, all moisture turned to ice.   Last night was  cold!!!

Brrrr.

But I was warm and cozy.   I got a ride out to the farm colony to feed yesterday during the day, with a friend who has been a professional driver.  I was relieved to get a ride and to get them fed.

One thing that helps outside cats survive the cold is body fat and that means calories.  So in the winter the farm cats get wet food.  I often microwave it nice and warm before I go.

Today, finally, out comes the sun.   The temperatures have not climbed much above freezing, however and tonight will dip near into the teens.  Maybe.

I salted the driveway, which is sloped, so I could get out.  And out I went, first time in a few days outside of walking to the store.

Main roads are fine, side roads still slippery.  I lost traction several times on a road I would think would have been graveled but it hadn't been.

Nonetheless by going slow and never applying brakes on a turn, I was able to return the two girls finally, the pair from the Albany colony fixed last Tuesday along with the three girl kittens.  Missy and Splotch had not been happy caged in the garage, but I had no way to get them home.  I don't have chains.   And besides, I wasn't going to return them until it warmed up some.

I left them all a pile of warm wet food and a bunch of dry.   As far as I know, I'm done there now.  Except I need to tame these three girls in my bathroom.

I had to cancel the trip Wednesday to the coast with cats, which is a very good thing I didn't try it.  Portland ended up in a twisted metal mess people are calling Carmaggedon, due to the ice and snow enshrouded roads, that caused massive slips and slides, wrecks and abandoned cars.   Commutes home turned into hours upon hours caught in mangled pile ups.

Then I had to cancel my trip to the FCCO today, for the same reason.  The clinic was cancelled because of the weather.

But it's all good.  Sun is out and the ice is melting.  Whatever melts better do so fast, because any liquid left will soon be frozen once again.

Ice on Apple Tree

Bent over Butterfly Bush

Ice Coated Apple Tree Branches

Curious Dove watches from an Ice Covered Branch

Driveway melted after I applied some road salt

Does this photo tell you what direction we should head for some warmth?

 And lastly......

Pathetic Snow Person
(but I had fun creating it)