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Award winner author of gardening humor books

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May Dreams Gardens

Hortense Hoelove Answers Questions About Snow and Ice

February 3, 2011 By Carol Michel 13 Comments

Dear Hortense Hoelove,

What do you think is going on in this picture?

Simply,
Snow White

Dear Snow,

Oh, that’s an easy one. The snow is alive and those are its varicose veins. Actually, I’m kidding and hopefully you knew that. The snow is not alive. I suspect those are the trails of meadow voles frolicking under the snow while eating all the roots they can get to. I’m so very glad you sent me this picture and I didn’t take it in my own yard!

Hortifully,
Hortense

Dear Hortense,

Which garden tools are the best for chipping away at ice? Is it acceptable to put your garden hoes to work on such a job?

Wondering,
Iced In In Indianapolis

Dear Iced In,

I can not support the use of hoes and other garden tools for ice chopping and general removal of whatever wintry mix you are dealing with. They simply are not made for that and many are not strong enough. Please put those hoes away and get yourself some proper snow removal equipment. That said, Hortense herself used a sod lifter to remove ice from her driveway that had been partially thawed with some ice thaw crystals of some kind. The bag said that the ice thaw crystals were environmentally safe, and she truly hopes that is the case. Though she was careful to keep the stuff off the lawn and planting beds, she still doesn’t want it to foul up the creeks which is where the storm sewers carry whatever gets thrown into them off to. Hortense also wonders why she is referring to herself in the third person in this answer. She suspects it is because she has been trapped inside for two days.

One really has to be careful out there and inside one’s mind, too.

Hortifully,
Hortense Hoelove


Dear Hortense,

If I see one more picture of snow or ice on any more blogs or news websites or if I open one more email from someone who wants to show me their snow drifts, backyards looking like ice rinks, any plant parts encased in ice or other winter type pictures, I think I will go mad.

Snow and Ice Weary,
Carol

Dear Carol,

Here is a picture taken in my backyard, which is, of course, your backyard.


Isn’t it interesting? The snow is not that deep but it is as hard as a piece of Styrofoam. Very interesting, indeed.

Hortifully,
Hortense

P.S. As soon as our amaryllis blooms, you should post a picture of that!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: hortense hoelove, humor, winter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Diana says

    February 3, 2011 at 10:53 am

    Well, there's no snow on MY blog. But even WE are supposed to get some today. Chances in morning and again in evening. Could be 1-2 inches. Which probably means none! I would say stay warm, but after reading your post, I think it more appropriate to say: Stay sane!

    Reply
  2. Cyndy says

    February 3, 2011 at 11:07 am

    Oh dear, the sight of vole trails in the snow is all too familiar around here – trying to stay carefully inside my mind, as winter blasts away here in Connecticut.

    Reply
  3. Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp says

    February 3, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    Alton Brown (of Good Eats) would be pleased to know we have multi-tasking garden tools. He always advocates multi-tasking cooking tools. Thanks, again, for the tip of the long-handled dandelion weeder doubling as an ice-walking cane.

    Reply
  4. Lisa at Greenbow says

    February 3, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    I nearly fell out of my chair laughing at the "varicose veins". I bet the rest of your characters will have something to say about this ice and snow if you are "in" another day. Hang on, this too shall thaw.

    Reply
  5. Elaine says

    February 3, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    I'm not weary of seeing pictures of snow. Your amaryllis is looking good!

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    February 3, 2011 at 2:09 pm

    That first photo is obviously the outline of Taurus the bull, but you knew that and were simply toying with us, right?

    Glad to hear your tool collection had some useful ice removal gadgets.

    Stay safe and warm, Carol! 🙂

    Frances

    Reply
  7. Dee @ Red Dirt Ramblings says

    February 3, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    Sorry, I am one of the guilty. I posted a snowdrift. I also posted my doggie jumping with all four paws in the air.

    Dear Hortense, when will this stoopid snow ever end? I'm feeling cabin-feveresque.~~Dee

    Reply
  8. mr_subjunctive says

    February 3, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Hmmph. Some of us like snow.

    Reply
  9. Gail says

    February 3, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    No tears, no tantrums at C and L, but, truthfully, I've nothing to whine about~The vole trails are truly a scary sight. gail

    Reply
  10. Carolyn ♥ says

    February 3, 2011 at 3:51 pm

    I've often wondered why those little creatures don't just come to the surface and enjoy the sunshine. Tell Hortense she needs to chill a bit and embrace the season. Soon it will be warm again, besides, there is beauty and wonder to be found in those Winter Whites.

    Reply
  11. lifeshighway says

    February 3, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    I am very disappointed that I did not see the voles actually frolicking because I truly enjoy a good frolic.

    (I never would have guess what that was)

    Reply
  12. Helen says

    February 4, 2011 at 1:46 am

    Carol and Hortense, you are both funny ladies. Feel free to speak of yourselves in the third person anytime. Speaking in the first person plural, we approve.

    Reply
  13. Søren says

    February 4, 2011 at 6:03 am

    If I see one more picture of snow or ice on any more blogs or news websites etc…

    Indeed. I crave images of actual plants; living things that tell me summer WILL be coming.

    Also: LOL, ROFL, QWERTY and whatever else it is kids nowadays use to indicate that they have found amusement in something posted on the internet.

    Reply

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