Hoarding is exactly what the government is doing right now by filling the SPR, and frankly it's the best thing that could happen. It drives prices up. High prices encourage demand destruction. They also finance new well development. The hoarded oil gives us a buffer to fall back on once shortages become more prevalent. High prices are what we need in order to adapt to what's coming, and the sooner they happen, the better.
Joined: Aug 26, 2005 Posts: 953 Location: "Mad as Hell !"
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:27 am Post subject: Re: Spring Weather 2008
I figure everyone should just sit back and relax and enjoy one final good year of moderate, next to normal temperatues, courtesy of La Nina. _________________ The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life.
... Theodore Roosevelt
Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 5817 Location: Rural Virginia
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:50 pm Post subject: Re: Spring Weather 2008
Lots and lots of rain here. Some of the moisture that's been plaguing the Midwest has actually made it here without being diverted north! What a treat.
Up to two more inches expected overnight and through tomorrow.
North Carolina getting hammered, too.
I'm more and more convinced that the drought is ending.
It's looking as though we've had our final frost. _________________ "Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog
"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother
Joined: Apr 28, 2005 Posts: 3278 Location: West shore Lake Eire, MI, USA
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Spring Weather 2008
Heineken wrote:
Lots and lots of rain here. Some of the moisture that's been plaguing the Midwest has actually made it here without being diverted north! What a treat.
Up to two more inches expected overnight and through tomorrow.
North Carolina getting hammered, too.
I'm more and more convinced that the drought is ending.
It's looking as though we've had our final frost.
How is your home made dam and pond working now Heineken? We could use a cheerful update _________________ Oxygen: - An intensely habit-forming accumulative toxic substance. As little
as one breath is known to produce a life-long addiction to the gas, which addiction invariably ends in death.--Isaac Asimov
Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 5817 Location: Rural Virginia
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:42 am Post subject: Re: Spring Weather 2008
The pond is full to brimming, and the dam, with its curved design, is working perfectly, Tanada. Over the winter I did a little more excavation, as conditions permitted.
The overflow could handle a great deal more water, but the ultimate test of the dam has yet to come (consecutive thunderstorms each dumping several inches of rain, for example).
Thus, I still need to further build up the banks on either side of the dam and get grass or other plants with fibrous roots sytems growing on them. The earthen banks next to the dam are the vulnerable point.
I also have to reinforce the spillway side of the dam with concrete; right now that side consists of stacked white oak logs. (The rest of the dam is entirely cased in with concrete.)
Finally, more excavation is needed to deepen and widen the pond. I'll pump out the pond during dry conditions this summer and get to work with my shovel, pickax, and wheelbarrow.
The pond, though small, was large enough to attract a couple of ducks.
Sometimes I'm tempted to hire a contractor with a mini-excavator and really enlarge the pond. But, along with costing $$, that would create collateral damage. Also, I'm proud of the fact that this pond is entirely hand-dug by moi. _________________ "Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog
"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother
Joined: May 10, 2007 Posts: 2450 Location: The Entropisphere
Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:22 pm Post subject: Re: Spring Weather 2008
I just have to complain for a second,
We have ~20+ mph winds with snow coming down sideways. It is cold cold cold and the stupid fruit trees came in the mail today. Which means I get to go to be with dreams of standing in that environment (6 more inches of snow tomorrow) moving the last pieces of fallen oak that are in the way and then planting apple, pear, peach and American chestnut trees.
I thought it would at least be another two weeks before they sent the trees!
Ok, I'm not really better now but I'll assume the stoic position and go to bed. _________________ “To be thrown upon one's own resources, is to be cast into the very lap of fortune; for our faculties then undergo a development and display an energy of which they were previously unsusceptible.”
—Benjamin Franklin
Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 5817 Location: Rural Virginia
Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:49 pm Post subject: Re: Spring Weather 2008
Don't let the trees' roots freeze or the trees may die. Keep them damp (not sopping wet ) and in a cool (not freezing) place until conditions improve. _________________ "Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog
"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother
Joined: Jun 30, 2005 Posts: 570 Location: northern California
Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:59 pm Post subject: Re: Spring Weather 2008
I earlier reported that it was 1 degree F last Monday. The local prediction for this weekend is for temps in the 80s. Typically we go from winter to spring in one week, then back to winter. This weekend will strip most of the snow from my viewshed, unfortunately. _________________ "Not how is the idea expressed...is the question, but how far it has obtained form and expression in the life of the artist"
H. D. Thoreau
Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 5817 Location: Rural Virginia
Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 9:04 pm Post subject: Re: Spring Weather 2008
That's really amazing, dunewalker. Thanks for the interesting report. Deserts are so remarkably volatile, temperature-wise. _________________ "Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog
"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother
Joined: May 10, 2007 Posts: 2450 Location: The Entropisphere
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:04 am Post subject: Re: Spring Weather 2008
Heineken wrote:
Don't let the trees' roots freeze or the trees may die. Keep them damp (not sopping wet ) and in a cool (not freezing) place until conditions improve.
No worries, the ground is warm enough it is just the atmosphere Every day in the forecast has only a few hours below freezing each day. Today, as I start my coffee, looks a lot better, though more snow is still in the forecast. _________________ “To be thrown upon one's own resources, is to be cast into the very lap of fortune; for our faculties then undergo a development and display an energy of which they were previously unsusceptible.”
—Benjamin Franklin
Joined: Sep 14, 2004 Posts: 5817 Location: Rural Virginia
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject: Re: Spring Weather 2008
It was in the 80s here today. Tulip-tree leaves are about 1/4 grown, and the beech leaves are starting to unfurl. In a couple of weeks the oaks get going and then---bang! It's summer.
I got a reddish touch of the sun working on my grape arbors. _________________ "Actually, humans died out long ago."
---Abused, abandoned hunting dog
"Things have entered a stage where the only change that is possible is for things to get worse."
---Me and my brother
Joined: Sep 08, 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Atlanta, GA
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 3:01 pm Post subject: Re: Spring Weather 2008
If it makes you feel a bit better, Gasmon, they're calling for a chance of snow here in northern Georgia come Monday morning, with maxes up to 30 degrees F below normal...whew!
I know the peach farmers around these parts won't be sleeping much for the next 3 days...they'd not be able to take another hard freeze like they got last year.
But what worries me is that the long-range forecasts show a huge high parking itself over the SE this coming week, and it looks like it'll be here for quite some time. We've had a good run so far with the rains so far this spring, but I think our luck is about to run out. Let's hope for an active tropical season later this summer...we're sure gonna need it. _________________ Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide...
Joined: Jun 30, 2005 Posts: 570 Location: northern California
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:54 pm Post subject: Re: Spring Weather 2008
Heineken, I thought Tulips were bright Dutch flowers. Well, the forecasters were pretty accurate--they usually are in predicting heat waves, but never at predicting rain or snow here--it's almost 80 out(the morning's low was 21). The creek made it onto the property for the first time today, then stopped just short of the pond. Maybe tomorrow. I've got a neighborhood prediction that the pond will fill this Wednesday. Talk about sticking your neck out--the creek bed is dry, the pond is dry and it holds 45 acre/feet. We'll see. I'll let you know, if anyone's even interested... _________________ "Not how is the idea expressed...is the question, but how far it has obtained form and expression in the life of the artist"
H. D. Thoreau
Joined: May 10, 2007 Posts: 2450 Location: The Entropisphere
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: Spring Weather 2008
Tulip Tree.
Tulip _________________ “To be thrown upon one's own resources, is to be cast into the very lap of fortune; for our faculties then undergo a development and display an energy of which they were previously unsusceptible.”
—Benjamin Franklin
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Every day in the forecast has only a few hours below freezing each day. Today, as I start my coffee, looks a lot better, though more snow is still in the forecast.
We've had a good run so far with the rains so far this spring, but I think our luck is about to run out. Let's hope for an active tropical season later this summer...we're sure gonna need it.
Tulip Tree.
Tulip
