topic Re: Back Fence - February 2019 in Among Friends

Back Fence - February 2019

Bird mama — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 14:02:59 GMT

Welcome dear friends old and new to the Back Fence for February.

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

geezerette — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 15:04:21 GMT

@Bird mama Are you still freezing up there? I thought I heard that Michigan has a natural gas shortage. That’s insane, especially since I’m surrounded by natural gas wells that are holding back production due to lack of demand!

Hang in there, it’s supposed to get warmer in the next few days.

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

Bird mama — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 15:20:25 GMT

@geezerette It was 5 degrees above zero (on the outside thermometer) when I awoke this morning so that is a very good sign.

Two things happened during the cold snap, especially on Wednesday. DTE Energy (the electric people) became concerned about the load being requested for electricity. It wasn't so much our grid in Michigan. More of a concern for how Michigan connects to other states that were also feeling the freeze and loading up the grid. We remember the NE blackout of 2003 that took out a big chunk of MI so we get a little paranoid.

As far as Consumers Energy (the gas people for part of the state). We had enough gas and then some to serve the entire state. What happened (and they are still trying to determine the cause) was that a fire broke out at a major gas compression station that pushes the natural gas out to lots of people.

They rerouted gas from auxiliary gas fields and while they were trying to get the compression station back online, asked those who could tolerate it to turn down the thermostat.

The autos and a couple of larger factories shut down to conserve the demand of gas. I even turned down my thermostat 5 degrees and didn't use the dryer or oven or anything that would require gas.

We are back to normal this morning.

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

geezerette — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 15:34:50 GMT

@Bird mama

Thanks for the explanation. I hadn’t heard the “whys” for all my relatives home and frozen!

I lived there when it was “Detroit Edison” and “Consumers Power”.

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

Bird mama — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 15:44:12 GMT

@geezerette I've been here since it was Ma Ball, Detroit Edison, and Michigan Consolidated Gas.

Some parts of the state have DTE (Detroit Edison and Michigan Consolidated Gas merged) for everything. Some parts of the state have Consumers Energy for everything. I have DTE for electric and Consumers Energy for gas, lol.

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

geezerette — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 15:49:33 GMT

@Bird mama

I hear ya. I even remember our phone number from Michigan Bell Telephone, back from the 50s. I have to look up my cell phone number now if anyone asks what it is!🥴🤣

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

Bird mama — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 15:52:29 GMT

@geezerette do you remember the exchanges? I remember as a kid my Ma giving the number as Walnut 5 7613. That would be 925-7613. Ahh, those were the days.

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

geezerette — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 16:19:10 GMT

@Bird mama

Of course! Ours was LI 9 - 1#2#. Liberty.

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

meallen616 — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 16:48:53 GMT

@Bird mama,

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

Winifred — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 02:28:55 GMT

A horrible day and the weather is still being a royal pain. Windy, Cold and Pouring down Rain. Another day of staying in although I did have to venture out early this a.m. for a couple things and then about an hour ago had to take out the trash. That was miserable.

Super Bowl tomorrow. Yeah RAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a good one everybody. Sleep well!

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

Bird mama — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 12:07:52 GMT

OOh Freddie @Winifred I'm sorry you are having so much rain. You can't do much of anything when it's rainy and windy.

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

halfpint1 — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 03:06:52 GMT

Rain to last off and on for a couple more days. It is a very long day for me. No walk. Just munching. I did take out the garbage early between the drops.

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

Bird mama — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 14:12:35 GMT

Hi @halfpint1 When it's raining most of the day it's hard to get out and do anything. The snow that we got has pretty much melted except for the piles that came from shoveling. I had to throw the snow somewhere My backyard is kind of soggy and a little muddy from all the snow melting. This is one of the things I don't like when Spring comes. I appreciate new life on the trees and all that - just don't like the ground when it is muddy and sloppy.

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

hellie jo — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 19:57:30 GMT

Enjoying the warmer temps here,but know it won't last long.But can look forward to spring!Have a good week everyone!

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

Winifred — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 13:53:48 GMT

Well I am still sulking - the Rams LOST. Oh well, what can I say.

Rain still coming down and I have to get on the Freeway at least once today, maybe twice. Not a good time for Freeway travel. Every day I swear the increase of idiots behind the wheel of a vehicle increase. Terrible.

Another day of more than one cup of coffee. LOL. The birds are not thrilled with all the rain but the past few days they have are still out there fighting for water based food. LOL. Usually when it is so wet they disappear - they have not been doing that lately. Weird.

Ditty has eaten inside for the past couple days and spent more time outside. Tried top keep him in last night as it was bitter but let him out and he went for his blankies on top of the dryer in the carport. He is still very much a Free spirit but is warming up to us. By the way there is no trouble - SO FAR - between him and MIss Blackie. Have been very surprised. But grateful. Hope it holds up that way.

Have a good day everyone.

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

Bird mama — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 18:52:30 GMT

We had some freezing rain that left a nice layer of ice about 1/4 inch think. It's supposed to get above freezing today, eventually. I decided to go out and shovel my driveway and the front of the property to speed up the melting/drying process. It wasn't too bad, I went slow and used my polycarbonate shovel that I bought directly from SnowJoe (a company that sells here).

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

hellie jo — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 21:25:45 GMT

Had a thunderstorm last night with a lot of rain.Having another dreary day.Damp and cool,supposed to be warmer tomorrow,but no sun.Have to go to the store just to get some brightness haha.Have a good day.

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

Winifred — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 03:34:18 GMT

No rain today which was just great. However it was still colder than cold. Brrrr. Did get the feeders filled however and since we had no rain, none were frozen over like yesterday morning. Those feathered friends sure eat en mass when they have not had dry food in a spell. LOL.

Hope all are doing well!!!!

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

Bird mama — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 15:39:11 GMT

Hello folks, anyone want a blueberry muffin with their coffee or tea?

It's been cold enough to freeze the bird's/squirrel's water outside but thankfully not as bitter as it was.

I ordered a pair of sandals from DSW last week and they arrived yesterday. They are made out of leather and I got them for a good price after I used the discount and my $5 VIP reward

Re: Back Fence - February 2019

hellie jo — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 17:09:58 GMT

You bet I will have a muffin.Thank you.Still only 14 degrees here,chance of snow for the next few days.