Tossing Pebbles in the Stream

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Days of Rain and Fog

The last four days we have had a warm spell. Ladt week the temperature dropped to -38 C while this week it has risen to as high as 9 C. We have been suffering from rain and fog. The foot of snow we had on the ground has largely disappeared.

In the fog, my cow decided to take a walk up the road. I search for them for a while until they appeared as gohostly figures coming out of the fog. They are quite tame and come when I call so getting them back to the yard was easy. They knew their would be a treat of cracked corn upon their arrival.

My dog, Gage, is loving the warmer weather. he wants to spend more time outside bounding about. As the snow melted his lost ball appeared so we could play a little catch and fetch.

I let the two sows out to enjoy the warmer weather. They cleaned themselves up in the snow and hay. I got a chance to go in and clean out their pens. They are getting close to farrowing, delivering litters. It is too bad they did not do it in this warm spell. No doubt we will be in the deep freeze when they do, making my job much more difficult.

This is the road in front of my house two days ago. It is bare now.

I have been recalling the "ice storm of the century " we suffered ten years ago this week.
Over five or six days of ice storms, Eastern Ontario, South Western Quebec and part of North Eastern US was overwelmed by ice which ruined the hydro electric network, destroyed countless trees and brought people's lives to a halt. I wonder how close we have come during these days of rain of having a repeat of the ice storm?

Here is a map of the area affected by the ice storm. ( Click on it to enlarge it.)

We were reminded how vulnerable we are to nature's wrath, partucularly in our urban areas dependent of infrastructure for heat, light, transportation and food.

Two of Canada's major cities, Ottawa and Montreal , were bought to their knees. In the depth of Winter they went without electricity and heat for several weeks., while the electrical grid was rebuilt.

This is a picture of a Montral street, during the clean up.

For those you might like to revisit this event here are a few sites.

The Ice Storm of 1998 - Disasters and Tragedies - CBC Archives Here is the source of CBC broadcasts about the storm.

Here is some reflections by Lucien Bouchard, the Premier of Quebec, leader of a separtist government, at the time. It must have given him pause to ask Canada to send in the military to aid the people of his province. The Canadian Press: Former Que. premier Bouchard recalls 1998 ice storm had it

A few pictures http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/sos/002028-5101-e.html?PHPSESSID=54frlr97m1i8li71tfucamq291

3 Comments:

At 1:53 a.m., Anvilcloud said...: We had just moved our two daughters to Ottawa and returned ourselves to Sarnia when the ice storm hit. They were in one of those pockets that didn't lose electricity or not for long although things were pretty well shut down for a week or so.
At 3:14 p.m., Tom said...: I enjoyed hearing how you were getting on... glad the cows were O.K. and I look forward to seeing some piglets soon.
Gage seems to have turned out 'Just Right'.. the company he must be is worth it's weight in Gold.
I recall watching something about the Ice Storm on Sky News.... I was amazed by all that ice. We see so little of it now adays.

All the best.. Keep Well.

Tom
At 7:32 p.m., Mary said...: Philip,

I remember the ice storm. What a time that was. Power was out in some areas for days. We were lucky and had power most of the time, though there were a few hours a couple of different days when it went out.

When we left for vacation, we had 4 feet of snow where we had shoveled it at the end of our driveway. There wasn't room for anymore. We came home to no snow whatsoever, but the Grand had flooded the road. The water is no longer over the road, but the river is very high - the highest in years.

Thanks for sharing.

Blessings,
Mary

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

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