Roof Loads and Gravity, a Match Made in Hell - Snow Wins Again

- Roof gives up ghost, caves in to pressure
- Snow, Gravity, seen as playing key roles in the disaster
- Local Fire Department and Police department respond quickly, further chaos is averted
- At least one detour sign was in place in at least one helpful location in North Springfield at 3:39 PM Eastern Subaru Time

Here, today, in Springfield, Vermont, Official Home of the Simpsons, at about 3:20 pm this afternoon, this picture was taken - shortly before the roads were blocked with detour signs.
From the looks of the possible sun-burning, conditions may have been less than optimal - and structural failure produced exotic shapes, certain losses, and no doubt much distress to those most directly affected by the unfortunate collapse. One can only hope that the only casualty was some driver's schedule, as this occurrence took place at a neighbor's home, and right along the main approach to the local Recycling Center.
This camera took this photo and got back into the car by 3:21 pm, and it's vehicle then was turned around and proceeded to drive off, to approach the Recycling Center from the other direction. The Recycle Center was finally reached by 3:31, this accomplished by turning back towards the Springfield Mall and taking the main drag out north out of town, through North Springfield, and driving South past the National Guard and Town Garage.
After concluding the briefest of drop-off/green-ticket exchanges at the Recycle Center, a model of clean and efficient recycling that cannot be referred to simply as "the dump", after this, an attempt was made to approach the scene of the roof cave-in from the North, but in fact two local cruisers had the way controlled by the white barn with the new roof just before the neat dog-trot over the crest of a small rise in the road, so that the camera preferred to be then driven back through North Springfield.
On this return drive, it was possible to observe the local family of ducks resting on the frozen edge of the Black River, a group of ducks that for some reason has wintered over here. They were resting on the edge of the ice along an open passage of very crisp and busy melt-water, practically basking in the solar energy that must have been reaching them. They were Mallards of course, about five to seven females but with no obvious or visible males today. They might have been alone, for even though we only slowed, since the roadway is close to the river at this point, we thought we could spot all of them in their immediate area. The camera either did not notice, or it chose not to see too brazenly, perhaps electing instead to enjoy the moment intime.
That timeless moment left finally behind, perhaps to the relief of the growing Conga Line forming behind of fuming cars driven by citizens far less interested in Nature or even in patterns and colors than the camera, then passage was made to a point at which a nimble town vehicle was seen to finish the display of a proper detour sign, and was further seen then to drive off in a cloud of salt dusts, presumably to set up another sign at the other critical approach to the work area, where Springfield's Finest continued to manage and stabilize the unfortunate collapse.

Fancy News - Signs of Life at the old movie theater building!

It's true, a crane was observed working along the side of the burned-out hulk of the old movie theater here in Springfield, Vermont, Official Home of the Simpsons. The surviving bits of original gingerbread trim that once graced the cornice of this victorian building were left to rot in the snow on the sidewalk, instead of being housed (anywhere) out of the weather - this a real reminder of the lack of interest in conservation. However, something is finally being done to fix or repair this once handsome building!

Fancy News - snow removal tips - snow joke!

If you have a neighbor cheerily recommend that you blow the snow from your drive into the roadway, beware, that neighbor is having a joke at the expense of the hard working road crews who have to then stop and explain the game plan. Here is the snow removal policy in Vermont in general, and in Springfield, Vermont, Official Home of the Simpsons, in particular.

Fancy News - Deep freeze freezes everything with arctic efficiency

I hope everyone who still lets their pets loose ever (they are domesticated animals, not wild creatures), keeps them in these days, it is painfully obvious that some pets are forced to stay out even in this sub-zero weather.

Here is a view of the frozen cliff-side trees above the Black River that provide cover for many local wild birds along the Palisades of Springfield, Vermont, seen from the bridge over Comptu Falls on the sixteenth of January, 2009.

Fancy News - Ambulance loses traction, dances into tractor trailer, entrancing tripped-out townies, trapping traffic.

This parking spot offers a fine view of fully one third of the controlled intersections (there are three) in Springfield, Vermont, City of Lights and Official Home of the Simpsons, on most days, and it did not fail to amuse and astound today.
At around three o'clock PM, at around five minutes before the hour, traffic was just pulling into the shoulders to clear a path for the approaching ambulance - it's yeowl plainly heard by all even though most drivers would be motoring with windows shut on a day like today.
Indeed, most drivers managed to yield a few feet, but the driver of the truck hauling heavy equipment had nowhere to move to, and he wisely stayed still as the soon-to-be-airborne ambulance approached, at high speed and apparently at high enough speed.
The ambulance approached and made a failed attempt at a Hollywood move at the last moment, and instead of a neat sideswipe about the truck through the ample path made available by compliant drivers, the ambulance neatly shmooshed into the side of the unmoving dead weight of the loaded tractor trailer - no bounce from the ambulance as it connected, no recoil, nothing but a gentle and firm stop, that ambulance was as nailed to the Earth as if it was welded in place.
After considerable moments, the driver began to show signs of recovering from the shock of the moment, then a bystander approached to see if any of this was real, then the driver finally alighted to inspect also and see if it really happened.


Finally, there arrived adequate police officers inspecting and directing traffic, even though it was observed that at least one old bat with a sensible haircut driving a pale colored Subaru wagon ignored the officer's direction and yelling, (she even slowed down to turn and look at him, then turned back to her mission and continued driving ahead without stopping for any of the other police officers who gaver her stern looks with hints of rebuke in their eyes, yes Agnes Knowles Benedergrafft, you know who you are).
And finally, the victim was carried out of the arena, with damage on display for all of us to see, proof that there is plenty of excitement in Springfield, Vermont, City of Lights and Official Home of the Simpsons.

Fancy News - The Special Occurance of what is being referred to as the Biggest Full Moon of 2009

It was a spectacular Moon rise on Saturday night. It would be hard for any photo to capture the presence of the fast-moving silver orb flying 'cross the pinky sunset skies of Springfield, Vermont, City of Lights and Official Home of the Simpsons.

Ice and Snow, Sun and Fun - A Fine Day for a Walk in Springfield, Vermont.

What could be more fun than a walk along the Black River in a nice light shower of ice and snow, in shorts! Yes, here in Vermont, especially in Springfield, Vermont (Official Home of the Simpsons), nothing says Spring like Short Pants in January. The days are getting longer, so why not give Spring a little push? Here are a couple of local people who know how to have fun.

Mientras me ocupava afuera haciendo recados hoy a mediodia, di una vuelta con camara por el poble a ver que veia de interés universál para subir a mi blog este, springfieldvermont.org, y vaya locura - vi una pareja vestidos para playa (casi). La verdad es que no es tan raro ver a gente asi en pleno Invierno - pero es que el joven llevava pantalon corto! Se ve tal moda de vestir en el Invierno de vez en cuando - con los que se creen bravos, con los que buscan adelantar la Primavera, o con los que sienten deprimidos por el Invierno (¡jolin, q se tomen una pildora de vitamina D!).

¡Que divertido es el Invierno!

Here is the resident flock of pigeons of Springfield, Vermont, City of Lights and Official Home of the Simpsons.


And here a slice of the local watershed.