Ah, it is finally winter here.

I love this time of year. we are slowed down and I don't HAVE to work in it if I don't want to. It is pretty here too.

https://picasaweb.google.com/crookston.john4/WinterMorning?authkey=Gv1sRgCNTo69aCkOnJJg#

I go to bed soon, but I will look to the North.

Hey OS, note the predictions of (partially) cleared skies for viewing northern lights tonight. I'm far enough away from city lights to get a good look if conditions are right.

Frank is a funny guy . . . . .

Yessiree! Another week or so and it'll be time for summer vacation. I'll wait until Oct. to start working the roofing season again.

A couple of nights ago it was raining with thunder and a lot of lightning. Late January in southern Michigan! Most all of the snow is gone now and the ice has melted. No ice on the lakes, so no ice fishing. None all year to walk on. A couple of people have tried and a snow mobile went through the ice the other day. This is like it used to be in southern Indiana when I was small. A lot has changed.

Shoveling is good, but I would rather go to the health and fitness center and swim. I have been working quite hard to get my legs in shape to look at a replacement knee this winter. we will see. Roofing is hard on them things and I have doing it for about 55 years now. You know, that is quite a long time for someone that is not 60 yet.

OS,

I usually check in here once a week or so just to see what's shakin'. Now that winter is threatening again, I'll probably be around a little more.

I hear you on plowing with the Bobcat . . . some envy here. On that last little spit of snow a couple weeks ago, I hand shoveled my drive for the first time in about 30 years. It's only a couple hundred feet long or so plus the garage apron and approach. Good cardiovascular exercise, don't ya think? Plow truck got liquidated three years ago or so. Hired it done the past couple of years on a seasonal contract. Have a friend who consented to plow it on call this year. Gravel not frozen yet, and with this rain I may wave him off 'til it freezes up good.

Just started with some wet snowflakes here. Hang on, it's going to be a bumpy night! Looks like you guys down there along the border are going to get hammered a little bit. Looks like up here north of Rockford about 3"-7".

Weather guessers . . . . we hit a high of 50 degrees yesterday . . . woo-hoo!

Andy

Gosh Andy, Haven't heard from you in a long time. I plow my own driveway with a bobcat so it has been easy for me. haven't done it yet this season. No gas costs and no frozen fingers. Ski operations are really suffering as are the other winder sports. The county is saving a ton on expenses and the roads are not half as torn up by the weather as normal. All a savings for the public. There is no economic plus from having to spend money to plow roads. We have to do it to get around, but it is not a bonus for us.

We are about 2 months into the winter and to be able to say I haven't had to plow my drive yet is unbelievable. what a country! I think I will go out in the shop and make sawdust.

OS,

" . . . the guys that plow snow are starving to death."

Not necessarily . . . all of our plow contracts were seasonal, and the present owners of that business have continued using that model. That particular business (and financial model of operation) has been around since 1964.

Truck payments, equipment repairs, insurance premiums, shop expenses, et. al. all come due irrespective of snow fall. The seasonal contract provides for financial stability for the snow removal contractor.

Conversely, for the snowplowing contractor who gets paid on a per time/per hour basis, how is his overhead (not to mention mortgage and groceries) covered in a season such as this, absent other revenue streams or deep pockets? And absent that money, isn't there a higher probability that the contractor goes belly up before revenue generating snow fall occurs?

Just a thought.

We spent the last two days, working in the sunshine over Hudsonville, MI way. What great weather to be roofing! One of the crew was actually down to his sleeveless t shirt, getting a start on his 2012 tan . . .

The last couple of days and tomorrow too, it is supposed to be almost 50 degrees here in kalamazoo....In January! what the heck is gooing on? we haven't had any winter to speak of yet. the guys that plow snow are starving to death.

Cold (25 degrees) and lake effect snow today. I get to go out into my work shop and make saw dust. How fun.

RIGHT!!!! It was 70 degrees in the Dallas / Fort Worth today!!!! Amazing!!!!

David Fye 8179807453 www.EaglePointConstruction.com

New years day, and we are finally getting some snow here. Maybe 4-6 inches, but we will see for sure in the morning. Life is good!

We worked today hanging some gutter and working on cleaning our another truck and the shop. Inventory is done and there is no snow. It is supposed to snow a bit tomorrow but the temp will be above freezing so it won't last. I have to go and talk to a guy tomorrow about installing an ice fence on a metal roof. if they hurry, they can get it done before the snow sets in. A wonderful day to work today though.

Almost 50 today

It is supposed to be in the high 30's for the next week. If it does, we will be about 6 weeks into what used to be the winter season with still no frost in the ground around here. What is happening?