just in from chores.

Holy cow! Its bad out there, Farmington Il is in a blizzard and I can attest to that! We wanted to wait as long as possible to make the final round tonight since we have no idea what tomorrow will bring. The three miles over and back to the cows was absolute ZERO visability at times. The snow is piling up incredibly quick, we saw drifts as high as 7 rail pipe gates allready. The snow started right at noon and when I fed the calves here at home a little while ago, 5pm, the snow was deep enough in the barn lot that the front axle on the 4230 pushed snow and the vertical mixer was draging snow with the frame all the way across the barn lot. The animals are all fed, watered and bedded. The cows that we may not be able to get to have access to plenty of water, a open creek, and we took the bale proccessor and made windrows of hay for them to eat until we can get there. Somehow we will get the calves here fed tomorrow.
It is unlikely that anything will move in central IL tomorrow as they are still calling for another 15 inches of snow overnight! Upwards of 2 foot total.
Hope everybody is safe at home and for you folks to the east, get ready.
bill

billonthefarm, it's not much different here in Knox Co today. At lunch time I saw one of kruser's crews in Knoxville, so I called him and what do you know? He was in the office, probably a nice warm office.
From all guesstimations he is holding himself in RESERVE till you really, REALLY need him for chores. I'm sure if he left now he could be to your place by first light (or when it ought to be light).
Stay in, stay warm, and stay outta the drifts!
oleblu

Yeah bill,
Looked kinda like a "ghost town" when I left work at 3 PM - Wanted to get home and plow/mark our drive (300') but had only used 14" tile flags last fall.
See Tractor Tales for the "Rest of The Story"

Bill,
you going to lodge tonight?

Didnt go. Not sure I could make it out of the barnlot really. Nick said it is totally different once you get in towards town. Go figure!
bill

Jim,
Don't get up at 4 AM to do chores! Might be on your own.
Hint - Route 116, Wrigley "might" hear you - IF you have Dog Bisquits!

PS: I know where to find them rascals in the fall.

I usually make my last run through the barn about midnight. I've been listening to sleet pelt the house and the wind howling since dark...... I'm not looking forward to going out there tonight.

I'm wondering what we are going to find when the sun comes up tomorrow morning.

Tim

Just saw some lightning and heard quite a bit of thunder. Don't see that all that often

Hearing some thunder outside now. The always talked about thundersnow!! Snowing very hard but the winds have eased a little bit.
bill

Here in NY. the forecast keeps gettin less and less of a threat.Got home from work today(56mi one way)and got Old Blue(89 f350 with plow)runnin .She over heated on me Sunday.One of them rubber replacement freeze plugs loosened up.I was fearing the worst(water pump,radiator,head gasket).She aint let me down in 21 yrs.and she aint ready to do it now.My 800ft. driveway would be a nightmare without her.I told the guy I relieve in the morn to be prepared to work a double as I aint killin myself to get there.I also fired up the generator to make sure she"s ready to go if needed.Flash lights,candles,plenty of water ready.My wife chuckles at me.But hey,Im ready to go.

Good Luck Everybody,Be Safe

Stan

Dang its kicked into high gear around Streator now....

Hi Bill, we are getting a small storm overnight and the main one starts tomorrow(Wed) at noon.So what does not stay in your area will be scattered between your area and Nova Scotia on the east coast of Canada. Cheers, Murray

We woke up this morning to good blizard here in Oklahoma. Glad son opened upa bay in the hay barn for the cows last night. Forty mile hour wind with 12 inch of snow tempeture 10 degree. Just sit in my chair and remember when.
gitrib

Here in Central OK. it has been bad all day , started to sleet about 10.30 last, nite turned to snow before sun up . I 44 closed at noon from Tulsa to OKC. I 40 closed all afternoon from Tx to Ar, acording to reports. The wind has been about 40 MPH all day , less now.I plan on 3 hrs + plowing tomorrow . Hi on wed , 10* which is unusual for us in OK. This reminds me of yrs. back , farming in upper Ill. clint

hey clint i can you some help moving snow tomorrow coffee pot is on