Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Northwoods is Closed Today

Yesterday around noon it started. The drizzle, rain, fog, mist and other fine bits of moisture coated the roads before the sleet, hail and snow started. By 3 p.m. the roads were solid black ice with a few inches of slush and snow covering it, and treacherous. The GeeWiZ van did a complete donut trying to turn the corner to get home at a crawl. Last night we got hit with just a little blizzard -- which is still beating us up pretty good at the moment. Windows are all pretty well iced over with that gorgeous delicate crystal patterns of ice. Right now it's -34 degrees with the wind chill. Looks like the Northwoods is closed today.

5:40 a.m. update:

Looking at the length of the school closings already this morning, it would appear the entire state of Wisconsin is closed, not just the Northwoods. lol.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Update on George

Those of you who have been wondering about George -- here is the latest news. He will be with a licensed wildlife rehabber within the next few weeks. Both parties have connected, all involved are quite anxious and excited, the transport distance is as minimal as possible, and it's just a matter of working out the details. No doubt you will be kept up on George's journey through life via video clips and youtube. I just love a happy ending.

'Ol George here has had quite an outpouring of emotions from heartstrings being pulled. It's awesome to know how many choices George had to go. Many diehard rehabbers have recognized in George some very special qualities. And honestly? I personally, would love to have George here at the Raccoon Orphanage. But that is not the best place for him. I thank all of you for your help and support, and understanding that George will be in the most incredible home that a coonie could ever want to live in forever. Those of you who want to know where will find out soon enough and I'm sure you know where to look. :^)

For those of you who don't know George's story go to raccoon-rescue.blogspot.com

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Packer Game

Today is going to be interesting. We should get to see all the die hard Packer fans freezing their butts off at the game in thirty below weather. [In case you don't know, in weather like this, skin freezes within thirty seconds or less.] On the early morning news they report that the Green Bay police department is taking three hour shifts to make sure no Packer fans take their clothes off at the game and everyone is dressed appropriately for the weather. Seems me adults should already know this and why spend police dollars making sure idiots keep their clothes on in public because it's below zero weather? I say let the idiots that want to take their clothes off at the game just freeze to death. It would be rather quick and fairly painless if they have enough beer in em. If they don't have the brain to not go out and get half nekked in this weather then perhaps the gene pool could do without their genetic copies.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Deep Freeze

It got pretty doggone chilly up here in the Northwoods. I started doing laundry around 3 a.m. just to keep the pipes from freezing. It's currently -29 with the wind chill factor and dropping. I sure hope all the coonies here at the orphanage and in the forests stay warm. CoonCam is frozen over right now - too bad you can't see the awesome crystal shapes of the ice -- only the blur.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Winter at the Raccoon Orphanage

It snowed in the Northwoods -- finally. I mean it really snowed. Started early last night sometime and hasn't quit yet -- twenty four hours later. It's a very pleasant snow. Sparkly, glittery little floating entities slowly piling up everywhere. It looks like it's fragile little balancing pieces of glittering powder. I had to shovel an accumulation of about a foot off the top of Hiway & Shazbot's mini-coondo. The weatherman says we're in for sub-zero weather tomorrow and colder over the weekend. The kids got sent home from school today at lunch time. It's pretty rare to get a snow day in Coleman!


Lillian made a rare appearance - but if you watch the video you'll see she's very careful not to put her feet right in the snow. She spends some time eating a few icicles from the top of the Coondo perimeter though. But I think she's giving me a bit of a 'what ARE you doing' look when she sees me through the window moving the CoonCam trying to get her climbing antics.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Molly in Florida update



Here's little Molly in her new home. She has successfully been relocated with a licensed rehabber and is currently referred to as "snot snot" because she thinks she runs the place. Sound like any coonie you know? Sounds like a good one to call that Shazbot of mine. lol I have no words to express the gratitude I feel for both those citizens willing to find a good home for a coonie they tried to help and those rehabbers and qualified humans who are able to give them new proper homes or rehab capabilities.

{Don't you think those southern cousins are just the cutest little replicas of our Northwoods coonies?}

Spirit Dance Ranch

Winter Dressage Clinics with USDF Gold Medalist, Lois Heyerdahl (USEF Sr. Dressage Judge) Jan. 19th & 20th has been cancelled-due to the weather! For further info visit http://spirit-dance-ranch.com

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Fresh Snowfall

After several days of what could only be considered spring weather, it is finally snowing in the Northwoods. We have approx. six inches of new snow since last night. The photo on the right is the CoonCam view this morning. Don't think any coonies will be venturing out any time soon today.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Winter Tornado?

Well. After the fog for several days turning into April rain showers, a tornado even managed to cause havoc in various areas. No damages that I've heard so far, but how odd to have this kind of weather in January!!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Birthing Season is Soon!!

Yes. Even up here in the Northwoods, we're looking at mere weeks until babies arrive in the wild. Not only does this mean more sightings of wildlife looking for partners or birthing dens, it means rehab season is soon to be upon us.

A new page has been created for those who need help if they find wildlife they think needs help.
http://raccoon-rescue.blogspot.com

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Mid Winter Meltdown

Yup. You can hear the water dripping in little waterfalls outside already this morning. Sounds like a spring rain -- but it's just the snow and ice melting. Nearly 40 degrees and the sun isn't up yet. A 'normal' year we have icicles 6 feet long hanging everywhere.

Benjamin & Lillian were pretty rambunctious around 2 pm yesterday and if the weather holds, they probably will be today too. They rather enjoyed having water instead of ice to play with. There's a pretty good fog out there this morning though so the CoonCam may see that. When we get a meltdown like this, it causes steam to rise and make awesome fog cover.

Weather like this in early January is going to get a lot of furry critters out and about exploring and bouncing around. I even saw a patch of lawn yesterday!!

Friday, January 4, 2008

And Today a Heat Wave is on the way!!

Well. After surviving that bitter below zero weather, the coonies should be quite happy as it's supposed to be in the high 20's today and maybe 30's. Over the weekend it's supposed to hit the 40's and break record temps for the Northwoods this time of year. Heck - it's already 12 degrees this morning! Doesn't sound too warm to our southern friends, but that's nearly thirty degrees warmer than yesterday!

That's good & bad news for the Northwoods. {Good news to 'me' though - I can thaw out!!} Up here when we have a fast melt of several feet of snow {which we DON'T have this year up here ---- yet} the storm drains need to be cleared. Not as much so the water can drain as for when it refreezes. It blocks the drains when it refreezes. Then there's a flooding problem for the next fast melt.

I may just go out and get a tan this weekend if it's in the 40's. LOL. {That comment is for Mary in Florida. LOL}

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Brrrrrr ....

The weatherman says it's minus sixteen degrees outside this morning. Was hoping the Wild and Wonderful Wildlife group would be able to catch a glimpse of the coonies this morning, but I seriously doubt that will happen with this extreme cold snap.