What's happened since the snow

It's not the prettiest time in my part of Oregon right now.
The remaining snow from our December snowstorm has been plowed off to the sides of the roads:

Leaving huge piles to melt slowly:

and grow increasingly dirtier:

Who'd think it would take so long to go away:

The freezing temps are gone and the more familiar Pacific Northwest rains have returned...with a vengeance. While my area was not hit as hard my blogging friend, Tammy at Wrensong Farm, who lives in southwest Washington, we have certainly felt the impact.

Normally small and unseen creeks are close to overflowing:

This person's yard has a new water feature:

Nice rainbow, though:

This farmer's field is not supposed to be a lake:

And, fortunately, while the water is very close to the road's edge, it hasn't flooded the road - this time:

The broader impact of these rains has been large. The major north/south interstate freeway (I5), running through California, Oregon and Washington, was shut down in Washington for a number of days due to freeway flooding. My favorite market, Trader Joe's, has been unable to get their deliveries:

This has left many of their refrigerated cases:

produce stands:

and shelves completely bare:

On a happy note, though, that pretty rainbow followed me all the way home:


p.s.
Just as an FYI, I don't go anywhere without my little pocket camera. I would sooner leave without my shoes than without my precious picture-taker. So, while in my local farm store the other day, I saw this interesting message on the outside of my chicken scratch grain bag. My farm and feed store wants me to know that they are doing their part to help my family out during this struggling economic times:

That *is* a really good price.