Wisconsin Blizzard - Morning Chores… Live
In a Nutshell
In a Wisconsin blizzard, the homesteader feeds chickens leftover brisket, collects eggs, and battles deep snow drifts (3-5 feet) to plow a half-mile driveway for emergency access, especially for an Airbnb guest. An old Ford F-150 plow truck fails to start due to a dead battery (requiring a trek through knee-deep snow to swap one) and a finicky starter that finally engages after 14 clicks. After clearing massive drifts without getting stuck, the driveway achieves basic accessibility before more snow hits, averting a total blockage.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Doing morning chores in a blizzard. Snow is heavy, visibility low due to blistery wind; blizzard hasn't fully started yet. Treating chickens with leftover brisket because they've been suffering outside. Checks chicken coop: morning ladies, got a couple eggs, will come back for them as food today. More eggs found, good output from ladies.
Needs to plow driveway, 2-3 feet high in spots. Has Airbnb guest on property; important to clear driveway for emergency access. Snow almost up to knees. Using old plow truck (Ford F-150), blessed to have it despite leaks. Checks fluids, hoping not transmission but plow hydraulics from heavy use yesterday. Drifts 3-4 feet high. Brisk, windy, frozen shut.
Battery always dies on this old, not roadworthy truck; unplugs it every time. Fifth time doing this, real snow hasn't hit yet. Big worry: clearing driveway before another 2 feet of snow but getting stuck and blocking it. Tries to start: doesn't even click, no noise. Just used it last night, disconnected battery, had power. Tries neutral, still nothing. Tightens connections, sixth time. Disappointing after 60s a week ago. Can't jump it due to 3 feet snow blocking other cars. No power out here for battery charger without generator.
Battery has slow leak, diligent about disconnecting, fine all winter until now. Idea: steal battery from another car. Quarter mile back to house through 3 feet snow. Carnivore energy from yesterday's smoked beef ribs and ribeye to carry 50-pound battery. Chickens and goats staying in shelter, smart. Normally girls feed them, but doing it as good dad in blizzard. Snow high, drifting, ice underneath.
Drifts over tires on Emma's car. Windy, hopes roof holds. Birds back after 60 degrees last week. Two days ago: thunderstorm, rain, froze, then snow. Carries battery through knee-deep snow and ice, extra effort not to slip. Sees grill used for smoking in starting blizzard yesterday, took 2 hours.
Removes old battery, installs one from another vehicle. Leaves hood open. Moment of truth: still nothing, not even clicking. Starter went; ran fine 3-4 times yesterday. Cold likely caused it. Recently replaced starter on little car (221,000 miles, rusted frame, RAV4 alternative with 260,000 miles). Wisconsin homestead starter issues. Leaking red fluid: probably transmission or plow hydraulic, not massive leak.
Joe suggests clicking 10 times: works after 14 tries. Truck on last legs, can we get one more plow? Peeks underneath: no current leak. Windshield wipers frozen, chunks of ice. Wife calling, on YouTube. Engages plow, checks for leak while moving.
Plows through 4-5 feet drifts, snow over hood. Don't stop or get stuck—art to driving in snow. Reaches road, plowed a bit, avoids getting T-boned by big plow truck. Backs in carefully, no mirrors (frozen windows). One pass done; will fill with another 18 inches to 2 feet, but emergency access now possible. Imagine shoveling half mile by hand. Clears around Airbnb guest's truck, arrived yesterday despite storm. Snow up over hood. Muffler nearly ran over, take time to avoid getting stuck.
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