staying warm

What's everyone doing this frigid January?

I turned back from my drive to work yesterday for the first time ever because the roads were just too dangerous. I did go in later in the day and management sent us home early and that was complicated because the interstate was shut down all four lanes because of a semi-truck accident.

I heat with gas stoves and turn them down when I'm not there, so I hang out in jacket and hat for a little while until the temperature gets up to sweater weather when I get home.

Don't shoot me but. . . I live in a temperate climate and we've been having our normal winter weather. . . mid-40's and rain/cloud cover.

We do talk about the weather in other parts of the country though. One of my friends and I both lived in the mid-west at other points in our lives. We were remembering how when it got really cold our nostrils would freeze together when we took a breath.

Edited to add: That's degrees F, not degrees C.

It's only just got down to 4°C here today, until now it's really not gone below 7° (excluding overnight temps) and has mostly been 9°+. Don't hate me, I come from Chicago, I've experienced the -40° windchills and crazy snow dumps! I do not miss that, though, I'm quite happy out here in the moderate climes! ;P

Err. Umm. A few days ago. Here in Melbourne, Aussie. We had 4 days in a row, over 40C.

That is hot Even affected the tennis?

Guido.

We have been finally promised a chance of snow in the next few days. I suppose I ought to go pick my last lettuce or two. Today was only 2°C, and near the river felt quite chilly. I did have to scrape the car windows once.

I haven't ventured outside today. It was -5 F when I got up this morning, and we topped out at 7 F this afternoon. I'm surprised that school wasn't closed, and felt bad for the little kids out at the bus stops this morning. The temperatures are supposed to be like this for several more days. It's a good time to finish up with my library books.

> 2, 3, 4 I don't mind at all hearing about fellow LTers in warmer or more temperate climes. I have to say, though, that I'd much rather be here than in Melbourne, guido47! 40 C must be unbearable.

Brrr...it's cold here, for where we are (NC). The single digit temps (F) are a bit unusual, and most people don't know how to handle issues like frozen pipes.

I worry about the pets and other critters. My house cats never go outside, but I feed three feral cats, and wild birds.

It's not cold here in the UK, but we've had massive amounts of rain (more than usual) and storms since just before Christmas. We're in a lull at the moment but apparently the bad weather will be returning. I'm going up to Scotland in 2 weeks time and I really hope it will be snowy, but a photo in today's paper didn't show any :-(

Keep warm and safe, all of you who are affected by the snowstorms.

Yah, I just wanted to spark a conversation here, and the weather seems a reliable standby.

I spent a year in the middle of Illinois inspecting grain shipments, standing on the tops of train cars and river barges taking samples with the windchill at -30 F. Memorable.

The starlings have been crazy busy in my area looking for food, massing in areas they don't usually bother with, so I've tried to up my contributions out the kitchen door. The discount bread store I used to buy bags of expired bread from closed, so I'm looking for a new source.

Try a restaurant/fast food joint. They usually have bread that has gotten stale or dry or fallen on the floor.

My thin Florida blood has been very cold a lot this year. My big lantana looks dead. I just hope the Gulf of Mexico is getting nice and cold so hurricanes will stay away from us this summer. A dent in the giant flying roach population would be nice too.

Having electric heat (no gas), we just paid our largest electric bill in the 13 years we've lived in this house, due to a December of record lows and long cold spells.

But, on the other hand, there's almost always a pot of hot tea on, and we've had a good hot fire in the fireplace one or two nights a week. And I get to wear my favorite flannel shirts, wool waistcoat, wool sweaters, and flannel sleep shirts, and I spend more time indoors just reading and drinking tea, bundled up in a warm sweater. If it weren't for the electric bill, I'd be hard pressed to identify a downside.

Os.

I returned to the house yesterday morning to add tights under my wool socks and lined wool slacks. I don't usually find the need to do that, but I must say, I stayed comfy all day.

Last cold snap, I was visiting my daughter and her heat pump had crapped out (turned out to be a simple wiring issue at the thermostat re: emergency cold setting) and I resorted to wearing my wool outside cap to bed. It gave new life to the poem referring to

"Mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap..."

Ah! NO heat in the bedrooms.

I wore two pairs of socks, AND sweat pants under my skirt today.

I have a 1/4 mile walk from the bus to the office. The temp with wind chill was +5 F, and I'm not going to let that kind of cold hit my legs or feet without some insulation!

We've got 6 inches and it keeps coming. I know that sounds piddly, but it's very unusual. Streets are a mess. I came out to catch internet connection hoping to hear from my kids. Silence. Sloshing my way back home.

In some spots the ground is scoured bare, and in others the drifts are 2 or 3 feet deep. Fortunately we have nowhere we need to go, because the roads are closed again.

Here in San Francisco it's sunny and warmer than some summers. Fruit trees are starting to bloom. We are also experiencing the worst drought in close to 40 years.

Clearly, the precipitation and extra cold that @SylviaC is dealing with needs to be sent to take care of the drought and (relative) heat that @IreneF is dealing with.

And @SylviaC, could you please ask your fellow countrymen to keep their Artic weather up where it belongs and where they are accustomed to it?

I am having to boil water to get the humidity to a reasonable level thanks to the furnace running so often to warm the air to a bearable temperature. My humidifier just can't keep up even though it feels like I am always filling the tanks.

16> I am sorry that the roads are closed again, @SylviaC, that has to be getting really old. Will your kids have a lot of school to make up at the end of the school year?

My bird feeders are being emptied at an incredible rate. I stopped by the bird store ("Wild Birds Unlimited") to stock up on seed. While I was there I also bought more suet blocks and plugs.

My feral cats are also eating a lot. One even sat on the top step and looked in when I opened the door...my dh said it looked as if she wanted to come inside!

The weather is lovely, if dry--we even have "red flag" warnings because of fire danger. The plants that usually die back in winter are confused. I'm not looking forward to water rationing.

>18 MDGentleReader: Well, @MDGentleReader, I can tell you I want the Arctic weather to go somewhere!

Our schools never make up snow days later. They go in with the expectation that there will be some, so there is some flexibility built in. I think we've only had about 5 weather days so far, but it isn't unheard of to have 13 or 14.

We had a slice of sunshine earlier today and then more blizzard. I've worn my broom down to a stub keeping my walks cleared. I don't use a shovel unless I really have to.

Hiked to church last evening and out to a wi-fi location today. Roads are slippery dangerous, and my tires are bald.

My house smells delicious with a pot of chili on, but I miss my kids. We used to make days like these into an adventure.
We've got an old photo showing me clasping 2 gallons of milk in my arms for elderly neighbors, and the caption is "Nice jugs!"

The roads opened this morning, so we made a trip to the very busy grocery store. Now things are looking pretty bad again, and the forecast isn't promising. My son has a high school exam scheduled tomorrow, but if the rural buses can't run, the school will reschedule.

@2wonderY, nice caption! :)

23> This time we are just getting the cold, not the snow beforehand.

Hope the feed truck makes it through on Tuesday.

>24 MDGentleReader: So do all the critters, I'm thinking.

I think I'm getting acclimated. It didn't feel chilly when I got up this morning, even with the thermometer registering in the teens outside and all heat turned rather low inside. Forcast is for -3F tonight. Not a problem. BTW, who used to get up out of bed first to shake the wood or coal fire back to life before central heat? Grandma! -post-menopausal women. THAT's what hot flashes are for.

I always wondered what they were for.......

But now we have central heating, so I DON'T NEED THEM!

LOLOL re: jugs and flashes!

Here in the eastern portion of NC they are predicting 8-12" of snow tomorrow and Wednesday! I started a pot of beef soup this evening, and have plenty of books and 'working' flashlights on hand.

I just hope we don't lose power, as I'll lose my aquarium fish if their heater goes off for long. :(

My favourite thing about my middle-aged body is that getting out of bed in the morning has become bearable (and I don't care if my husband hogs the blankets).

The forecasters seem to have changed their minds about our next two days of forecast snow, so I'm happy and the chickens are happier.

The schools were closed today, but they should be open tomorrow as long as there isn't an excessive amount of blowing snow.

I wrestled a huge old featherbed mattress from storage and onto my bed last evening. Boy, it was cozy! I threw off blankets once or twice because it held my body heat so well.

-11F here.

Balaclavas are fashionable, right?

And cotton lined wool tights....

Snow is dumping farther south this time where they are even less able to deal with it than we are in this area.

You have wool tights?!

I feel extremely fortunate when I come across cotton tights rather than nylon!

> 33 If you're interested in tights. . . check out foot traffic. I get my cotton tights from them and I love the tights! They also have wool, but wool would be too warm for here. It's been a LONG time since I've been in -11F weather.

Thanks! I might try Bamboo. My daughter used bamboo fabric for diapers, as was it ever soft!

I have a bamboo facecloth, and it is lovely. Bamboo should make nice, cozy tights. I've been wearing some kind of microfibre tights under my jeans. They are quite thin, and keep me warm when I'm outside, but don't overheat me indoors.

My husband loves his bamboo socks. The thinner ones are fine, but the thicker ones drive me crazy because they take forever to dry.

I have both cotton and cotton/wool toghts. We're down below freezing (finally!) and I think I may go for tights tomorrow when I head downtown. Our 'subway' station is over the Danube and it gets very cold and damp up there.

I love bamboo socks, but the 100% bamboo ones wear through very quickly. I used to get my nieces bamboo clothing when I could find it. My older niece would run away with it and hide it as soon as the box was opened. She wore the bamboo pajamas until they were incredibly faded. She's like me and loves soft clothing next to her skin. I can't wear wool next to my skin - it itches.

36> I'll have to look for microfibre tights.

34> They have bamboo tights!

I have snow and icy walks in Pensacola.

Salt the icy walk...rock or Kosher works best, but I've used table salt in a pinch (oooh, unintentional pun, woo!).

Not hibernating this year, just catching up on my reading...

:D

I like that!

>42 2wonderY: That's Lars the little polar bear, right? Gorgeous. This looks just like I feel.

Sorry, it was not attributed in the Pinterest post I found it.

I too am finding myself plowing through more books this season than typical. Also got some good letters posted.

I went for a short walk to the post office this morning. No matter which direction I turned, the wind was ripping my face with its claws. Finally I pulled my coat right up over my face. It's handy to have a winter coat that's too big.

The sunrise sure was beautiful. Who's that planet that's up there at sunrise over Ontario now? It was nice to have a sunrise instead of a constant broken pillow fight.

I can't believe how hard you guys are still getting hit up there. We have lots of wind and blowing snow, but at least our plows are keeping up with it pretty well. My twitter feed is pretty much a steady string of Bruce County road closures, and notices that the plows are being pulled off the roads. And they announced this morning that a high school in Owen Sound is cancelling their final exams completely, because they've been closed so many days. I hope you have better weather tomorrow.

We've finally got some winter. Temps going below freezing at night and a smattering of snow on the ground. Great! Our schools are off next week though, and the kids don't have enough for winter fun here, and the ski areas near here are hurting for lack of snow. 25-40 cm just isn't very good. At least it is cold enough to make snow now.

Oh, yes, I need to remember to reload the bird feeders with peanuts today.

>45 2wonderY: It looks like the artwork of Hans de Beer, but I don't recognize the picture. I think I'll stop at the bookstore and have a look which story it is.

Yay! January thaw today. Didn't even need a coat or hat. What a relief!

47: Yes, I've never seen it like this before, not even in the late 60s when I lived at Cape Croker. We can get around Wiarton fine even with all the hills here, although it's hard to see at the end of driveways and at corners because the snow banks are so fat and high. The problems start up the hills out onto the open highways where the plows can't keep up with the drifting or can't see because of all the blowing snow. The highways are very open wherever there are farms especially around Ferndale which is flat and wide open to the wind.

At least the Groundhog Weekenders will have enough snow to build their models this year!

The following is a description of the snow banks being cleared out from the main street outside our windows very late one night, and because it was so late, I began to imagine what it would be like if all of my family were here with C and me waiting for the noise to end. In the email, it was a little more imaginative with different fonts and sizes, but this is the gist of the email I sent to my brother and sisters.

vvrrooooommooooorrvv
vvrrooooommooooorrvv

They are cleaning up the main street snow banks tonight. No sleep downtown for hours to come. Pretty soon the trucks will be here to be loaded with the snow. Then it will be

BANG BEEP BEEP BEEP VROOOMMMOOORV BEEP BEEP BEEP BANG

And then they’ll come back and do it again on the other side of the street.

Who knew Wiarton could be this exciting. Mom would be making hot chocolate for everybody, F would be telling about the time somebody drove one of those machines into the lake. M would be doing the hardest sudokus, C would be showing us his miniature dozers (and who can make the best joke out of that statement), K would be wondering about the thoughts of the drivers and where they eat, A would be stopping them to give them food and funny things, D would be doing something behind the snow hills, and B would be tidying up the left over snow rills and setting the table. I would be looking for more sleeping pills. Right about now.

Hopefully Wiarton Willie has been able to sleep through all the noise! He needs to be well rested for Sunday—there'll be a lot of pressure on him this year.

>52 nhlsecord:

Now I want to spend time with your family. Just like a good book!!!

I got the most amazing tights yesterday. The lady at the store said they were comfortable enough to sleep in. She was right, if I needed that much warmth while sleeping, I could have.

Meanwhile, I stepped in mud today. Oddest feeling, I can't remember the last time there was mud. Mud, glorious mud...

I may be making a trip to a cold part of the country. The temperature there is about 10 degrees F right now but it feels like -7F (per the internet). I have not been to that part of the country at this time of year for about 30 years. I am shivering just thinking about it.

54: Well, my family certainly are interesting, much easier to handle all of them at once from a distance but I look forward to seeing them all in June. They'll be coming to my town, it's going to be quite an experience!

>55 MDGentleReader:: I can't remember the last time there wasn't mud! We've had so much rain here that every surface that isn't paved is a quagmire, if not actually under water!

Our rare snowfall is gone, and the heavens have been deluging us with rain...oh well.

Fuzzi, your rain was our snow. We got at least 10 inches yesterday of the heavy wet stuff.
I stayed home from work because the road crews weren't able to keep up with it.
Thankfully, the temps are moderate at 18F just now. Resorted to the child size snow shovel because the broom wasn't cutting it. I use the smaller size because it holds the amount of snow I'm willing to lift at one go.

replaced lost image with another by the same artist.

The Weather channel has some photos from Oymyakon and Yakutsk, Russia

http://www.weather.com/travel/breathtaking-photos-coldest-city-world-20140128

see them and be glad you're not there.

I'm glad I don't live in Slovenia. They got freezing rain and winds to take down 1 in 3 electric poles in some places. Austria got really bad snow in some areas, but some areas that didn't get hit have sent diesel generators over to help, as it will take days or even weeks to get some areas back on the net.

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/amazing-scenes-severe-storm-encases-slovenian-town-ice-...

Those links help to put things into perspective.

Child size snow shovel? That's a good idea!

And I love the picture on post #61...is that from a book?

Getting ready for a foot of snow tomorrow, but considering the pics in posts 62 and 63, guess I can't complain.

Also love the picture in #61

Freezing rain is to start here in an hour or two. I'd rather have snow although a foot is excessive.

It's going to be 70F here tomorrow...

...but don't stone me...it will get cold again later in the week.

Wednesday Rain likely before noon, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of showers after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind 9 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Well THAT was exciting. I have a 10 minute walk to my car. The bit in the parking lot was fine - the sidewalks, not so much. Fortunately, for much of it I had a chain link fence to cling to. I stopped to get my mail and slid hard in to the mailbox. Freezing rain is nasty. I put Ice Melt down on the sidewalks in front and am hunkering down for the duration.

Oh, please be cautious! Our gutters at work were overflowing with snow and ice yesterday, and a thick glaze at the sloped entry - and nothing to hold onto. I took an inside floor mat out for later arrivals, but the mat itself couldn't gain traction. Landlord is supposed to supply textured rubber mats soon.

>65 fuzzi:
The Pinterest entry credits Jonathan Bean, and he has a book titled Big Snow, so perhaps..

Got home in time yesterday to help a friend who has very bad knees shovel out her 40 degree slope driveway. Three of us took an hour and a half to clear the foot of snow before she could reach her house. (She'd been out of town.)

ETA: ooh, ooh, I really liked Bean's picture book Building Our House.
ETA2: It's more likely At Night. Adding detail to his author page and ordering titles from the library.

For those who have ice issues:

Use salt, even table salt if you don't have rock salt.

Use cat litter if you don't have sand.

But keep salt away from plants.

I use Ice Melt. It doesn't harm grass, plants, animals or concrete.

The ice is quite beautiful today. Every blade of grass, every branch and twig is outlined in ice. Not enough to weigh down most of them though - except the poor evergreens.

Agreed, @MarthaJeanne, but if it's a choice of either me walking without falling or the plants, I'll use the salt.

Granular snow today. I thought it would be slicker, but even the 20s isn't keeping it from turning to slush. Good thing, as it just keeps coming. Bought the almost last snow shovel in the county (two more left) because we broke mine last week.

Dug my parking spot out a bit to make entry/exit a bit easier. But some of the ice is too hard, thick.

Life feels on hold during these extreme days.

Thick and rough ice can be driven on, it's the slick stuff that you have to beware.

Backing out of a friend's driveway last evening, I tipped off the concrete, because it was snow covered and not clearly seen. My front tire spun on solid ice and I was well stuck. Thankfully, a couple of neighbors came over and dug me out and directed recovery. It really turned out to be a simple process, and I bless them for their concern.

Good neighbors are a blessing to have! I am glad you have some caring people in the area.

>62 2wonderY: Why would anyone live in a place called "unfrozen water"?

I'm surprised people have separate houses. You'd think they'd build everything interconnected.

That's gotta be a reference to the power & heat plant in town, as opposed to the rest of the tundra. Something to celebrate, even brag about.

Round five?

We all made it to work today except the boss, who called and said he was snowed in.
It's coming down fast and furious and no one has told us we can go home, though DC National Office was given permission yesterday to stay home on Admininstrative Leave. If we leave, we use Annual Leave. FARQ!

It is 40s and raining. I was less of a Florida wimp yesterday when I was out and about and instead of complaining about the cold I was grateful that it wasn't frozen.

I got in trouble this afternoon. Sunny, warn enough to work outside in just a cotton turtleneck and a flannel shirt, so I decided to prune the apple tree. Only the branch threatening the telephone line was really too thick for my pruner. But I tried anyway. So I couldn't cut it through, but by that time it was also wedged in enough that I couldn't get it loose either, so the 2 - 3 meter long tool was just hanging in the tree until my neighbor came home.

63 Great link to the pictures in Slovenia; one can always find someone who has it worse than you. And I thought 8-9 inches of snow with sleet and freezing rain was bad. We haven't been out of the house in over 24 hours because of the white stuff and cold. The snow just keeps coming back; biggest snow in 25 years here in North Carolina. Come on Spring!!

Shoveling frozen water in one or more forms is an excellent way to stay warm....

Just as every other news story about our exploits on the Olympic ice oval mentions in some way that we almost yearly skate to neighbouring towns, and the famous 11 city tour is held annually*, here in Holland I've seen the puddles ice up overnight about three times the last three months, and it's at least 5C here most of the time.

No winter to speak of :(

*It isn't. It's held only when the ice is thick enough for long enough, which since the 60s has happened less than 10 times, last in 1987.

Also, with winters being increasingly more wet than cold, ice skating as a rite of passage is becoming more rare.

Well that doesn't fit in with my Hans Brinker fantasies:-(

Mine neither! We've had some frozen rivers this year. Oh!! I just recalled there was a Polar Plunge at the City Park pond today. Durn!!! It woulda been fun to watch. Mebbe.

I just was adding some first words of several volumes and thought I'd share this one from The Pride of Jennico:

"Memoir of Captain Basil Jennico (begun, apparently in great trouble and stress of mind, at the Castle of Tollendhal in Moravia, on the third day of the great storm, late in the year 1771)
As the wind rattles the casements with impotent clutch, howls down the stair-turret with the voice of a despairing soul, creeps in long irregular waves between the tapestries and the granite walls of my chamber and wantons with the flames of logs and candles; knowing, as I do, that outside the snow is driven relentlessly by the gale, and that I can hope for no relief from the company of my wretched self, - for they who have learnt the temper of these wild mountain winds tell me the storm must last at least three days more in its fury, - I have bethought me, to keep from going melancholy crazed altogether, to set me some regular task to do..
And what can more fitly occupy my poor mind than the setting forth, as clearly as may be, the divers events that have brought me to this strange plight in this strange place? Although, I fear me, it may not in the end be over-clear, for in sooth I cannot even yet see a way through the confusion of my thoughts. Nay, I could at times howl in unison with yonder dismal wind for mad regret; and at times rage and hiss and break myself, like the fitful gale, against the walls of this desolate house for anger at my fate and my folly!"

I love the bit about the wind wantoning with the flames of logs and candles!

Oh, 2wonderY, that was delicious!

Very nice!

We're celebrating a heat wave. Temps may creep up into the 40s this week, maybe even 50s. I'm planning a KY trip. YAY!

It's 57F here, right now, and sunny...

::ducking::

You're safe. I switched from double layer wool to cotton cords and it feels good to go outside briefly without a jacket. I'm watching the melt come down off the hillside just next to my office building. Occasionally, there is a miniature landslide.

Avalanche?

It reached 72F...

...but the forecast for tomorrow is strong thunderstorms...hopefully no tornadoes!

We had strong thunderstorms yesterday. It has been quite warm here, too, except when a breeze comes off one of the many snow piles still around. At least there is snow to step into to wipe off the mud :-).

It is pouring rain now, and terribly windy. Part of our laneway is sheer ice, and the wind just pushed me straight across it, without me moving my feet. Fortunately, it blew me in the direction I wanted to go, and I remained upright.

Just like in the cartoons!

Yup!

That would make a great video.

I am, however, very glad that you stayed upright :-).

@MDGentleReader, snow is in the forecast for Wednesday...my travel day. Rats.

Just an inch up here. I would imagine it'd be rain down your way. It was so warm this weekend, I think it'll be like our last snow and not stick to the roads or to vehicles.

100 & 101: I hope you have a lovely visit, and the weather cooperates.

I am going to the land of my youth tomorrow to attend to some family business. The temperature there right now is 7 degrees F.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

edited to add:
I am taking along My Home in the Field of Honor for the traveling. I think it will be an engaging story but not as funny as My Family and Other Animals which was my last airplane book.

we were only supposed to get a light dusting today, but we've got a full blown snowfall - big fluffy flakes. Roads were more treacherous than expected. Eight accidents between home and work.

104> I didn't see any accidents, but we got the same stuff. Perhaps later in the rush hour for us? I was covered in snow from my walk from the car.

103> Brrr indeed.

@fuzzi, it's going to be really cold here on Friday, but it looks like the snowfall for tomorrow is going to be even less than initially predicted.

Aren't we ever going to get winter here? It's quite useful to be able to trim the apple tree in shirt sleeves, but I'd like some cold to kill the pests!

106> I have to admit that I appreciate the pest killing quality of our cold weather here. The cold itself? Not so much. We've had 3 or 4 very brief Springs already. Then Winter comes back with a vengeance.

What I certainly don't miss is scraping ice off the windscreen in the morning, esp. if I'm late anyway.

(105) I've been following the weather, so we are bringing all the warm outerwear, to layer. I'm bringing all three of my winter scarves, including the wool one. :)

Thanks for the update!

Safe travels. It looks like we'll get an inch or two of snow after all. We have about a third of an inch already and it is coming down hard. Winter weather advisory here over at Noon.

Hope you won't hit Richmond until early afternoon.

55 degrees at 10:30 where I am right now.

However, I moved my flight home up because at home tomorrow the high is to be 26 and we are to get sleet and snow - 8 - 12 " of snow. SIGH. With all the flight delays and cancellations from the storm we had the potential of being stranded in airports at both ends of our travel.

(111) We both enjoyed the Meetup (pictures forthcoming).

What a difference it was, yesterday. We stayed in Fredericksburg on Friday night, where it was "bundle-up" cold. By 2pm we were home, sunny, 55F. It felt like Spring!

I love living here in NC. I really don't miss the cold we experienced this past week in MD/DC. :shiver:

Have a safe trip home!

I'm in the ice belt today. Boss texted with a two-hour delay this morning (SHOCK!) and I wish I'd just stayed home. Interstate still had a layer of snow - powery stuff - which wasn't bad, but the other guys weren't particularly safe. Got behind a yokel creeping along at 30 mph, and riding the center of the lanes, not in one or the other. A semi driver decided to pass, and I thought it was all over. Not looking forward to the trip home.

>112 fuzzi: Made it home - a little over two hours later than scheduled, but still ahead of our original flight's arrival time. Woke up to a layer of sleet/freezing rain, now it is snowing hard. Work is closed for me and many others.

>113 2wonderY: I hope you make it home safely.

It was 73F and sunny where I was yesterday. John got sunburned. Tried to store up the warmth for shoveling in the cold and wind today.

For @MDGentleReader:

Weekend Forecast:

Saturday: Partly cloudy in the morning...then clearing. Highs in the lower 60s.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.

Sunday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 60s.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s.

Monday: Sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s. :)

Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s.

Wednesday: Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.

YES!!!

This weekend was supposed to be really warm. And, I guess, comparatively it was. But, there was ice in the canal and little frozen waterfalls in the hills. It's MARCH, I live south of the Mason-Dixon line. We still have the large snow piles left and they are calling for more snow on Wednesday. Mind you, it can't be much snow and it shouldn't stick, it supposed to be in the 60s(F) Tuesday.

**scrambles to check my own weather forecast**

High of 66°F on Tuesday, dropping through Wedneday to a low of 12°
that night, and swinging back up to 58° on Friday. !00% chance of rain and snow, but not much - just enough to freeze the roads on Thursday.

We are just over 4 weeks from our average last frost date (April 15), but with all the cold weather lately, I don't see how the soil will be warm enough for tomatoes...

While the US has seen record colds, we've had a record warm day here in .nl
This week it's been 15C, working in the garden in a t-shirt. At night and in the morning it's still chilly, but otherwise, lovely weather.

Shoveling snow AGAIN today. Sigh.

The good news is that it should melt pretty soon. And, I have to admit, my backyard looks better covered in snow.

Saturday was beautiful, we did some walking downtown. Sunday evening, the snow started.

It's been raining here, but it's COLD rain. Brrr. Right now it's warmed up to 37F.

I am NOT complaining: I know what a drop in temperature could have done to us here in NC!

Tonight I'm going to curl up with Captain Blood and a cup of homemade chicken soup. If that doesn't warm up my tootsies, I'm not sure what will!

It is nice and sunny here, but cold, cold, cold. It is supposed to warm up for the rest of the week, though with freezing rain on Wednesday. Spring does seem to be in sight.

It's supposed to be 70 on Friday, with night temp going down to 50. But then a return to normal almost freezing nights. I plan to open all windows!

We had 50s and 60s yesterday. Today it has snowed about 6" so far and still coming down pretty hard. Heavy, wet, compact. Roads a mess. *sigh*

Still raining...over an inch on Monday, plus today, and showers tomorrow.

But Saturday is supposed to be sunny, and 72F...

Cold, rainy, nasty, still snow on the ground. But my allergies still kicked in today, big time. Trying to see the positive in this. Achoo! 'scuse me.

Mine kicked in, too. But I'm happy, I tell you, HAPPY! (Sniffle)

I just put up a picture of my peach tree as my profile picture for a while. I'm a bit worried as normally we get frosts until late April.

On the other hand we have hardly had any frost this winter, so I'll hope...

The Bradford pears are in bloom...that's one of the first REAL signs of Spring!

I saved a lot of the bud branches of the plum tree that lost limbs, and they are in full glorious bloom in the house now.

I usually force forsythias, but it's been too d*** cold to go out and cut the whips.

>128 MDGentleReader:, >129 SylviaC: Mine turned out to be a nasty cold or something. I had fever and chills all day Thursday - slept the afternoon away in my reading chair with my full length down coat, blanket over my feet, hood pulled partially up and gloves. At least I did some reading Friday and Saturday.

>133 MDGentleReader:
Ugh. I hope you're starting to feel better now. Mine were just plain allergies, which have settled back down to a low simmer (possibly because it is well below freezing again).

Feeling better, stuck with cold symptoms still. Colder again here, too. Had to turn the heat back on and start boiling water again to bring the humidity back up. Warmer weather will eventually come to stay.

Sorry to hear you've been sick, @MDGentleReader. My dh and I both had the UR virus going around, then he got the GI virus, as did my brother and son. I think I've had a touch of it, too.

I heard my first mosquito yesterday...

>136 fuzzi: mosquito - not a welcome sound. I was hoping the winter would have decimated the population. We are still going to have below freezing temperatures this week, so I hope that will hold 'em off up here.

Oddly enough, what I have doesn't seem to be the UR nor the GI that are both going around the office as well as a combo deal that sounds particularly nasty. John's Mom has what I have, too. She is blaming the restaurant we ate on Sunday. Could be, I guess.

Oh dear, I hate the "both" virus, you have my sincere sympathies.

I was glad that my UR virus didn't progress into full-blown Bronchitis or Pneumonia this time: it often has in the past.

Fortuantely, I don't have the both one either, just a differrent version of the UR, I guess.

Bronchitis and Pneumonia are nasty. I used to get bronchitis pretty regularly. I'll never forget the first time, thought I was coughing up bits of lung. Fortunately, I haven't gotten bronchitis for years. Pneumonia is just scary. I am glad you skipped that step this time. What I do tend to get now is issues with asthma when a cold is at the end stages or gone.

Alright, I am going to say it, hopefully one last time. It is WAY too cold out there. I am tired of that feeling that my face is going to freeze and fall off.

Spring is coming...really:

How beautiful! Thank you for sharing, fuzzi.

You are very welcome!

It was 70+ on Saturday, and today it's hovering around freezing, with a cold rain forecast for later.

Boo! Bah!

(but it's better than snow/ice)

We have snow on the ground now, but it's not going to stay. NOT! It's supposed to warm up again later in the week.

It warmed up yesterday so that I was able to get the bulk of my ditch dug (gas line replacement elaborated elsewhere) but I got less than an hour into it today, digging the deepest part next to the curb, when it started sprinkling, and then a more serious rain. I gave up when it started trickling down my neck.

I had plenty of books to settle in with - I scored well yesterday at an Estate Sale which I just stumbled upon going for parts.

But they're calling for snow tomorrow! : (

I was completely surprised by the snow. Parked my car in a garage, came out and it was snowing/sleeting hard - was stinging my face. And the yard is covered with white stuff again. The last of the previous snow covering my yard didn't melt until Friday.

Sorry to hear about more snow. :(

>145 MDGentleReader:
Oh yuck! It isn't supposed to be warmer here than there.

Last night was the first beautiful, colourful sunset since winter started. I'm getting some hopeful feelings :)

We heard about a group of people who live on the Lake Huron shoreline about 1/2 hour north of us (we are on the Georgian Bay side) who's homes were almost buried by snow from one storm and they were stuck there for 9 days with no hydro or water service. The road was covered by about 15 feet of snow, and none of those people had snowmobiles. The local snowmobile club carried groceries to them and dug down to the doors or windows. Finally somebody came along with a huge snow blowing machine and got the road cleared. They say a lot of those houses are up for sale now, maybe even the one with doors that didn't open inward.

As for our little town: another pipe burst across the street so those businesses over there had no water. For 2 days the main street was barricaded as the street was filled with 3 dump trucks, a liquid vacuuming truck, a couple of digging and drilling big thingies, and a lot of orange covered men leaning on shovels. Every once in a while, one of the men would carry a big blue pipe to the men who were down in the hole. I wonder if they'll be back tomorrow?

We live on the edge of the Danube Wetlands National Park, and it is painful this spring. The plants are nearly a month ahead of themselves, but there is so much brown - no snow, very little rain all 'winter'. This time of year the trails are usually full of mud, but this year everything is dry. I think we are going to have to start watering the lawn, too. Maybe we can wait until April, but that is ridiculous, too.

>149 MarthaJeanne: I often wonder about weather in Europe and everywhere else too, if things are very different. Do you suffer from unusual heat in the summer too? I wonder what, if anything, has changed everywhere.

Even though the winter was very heavy here this year, people say that it was this way many years ago as well. My OH says when he was young, the snow banks along the road were so high the children were constantly warned not to touch the wires up there along the hydro poles!

Last summer the temps got up to 40 here! Luckily we were on holiday in the UK and had drizzley 19-20. The friend who was watering the garden was very faithful, and also spent a few nights in our guest room which is in the cellar, for the joy of a cool bed.

Here in Vienna we are in a drought, having had no snow and almost no rain this winter - normally our wet season. Southern Austria had one blizzard after another. Some of the ski races in other areas were held on trucked in snow when it was too warm to use the snow cannons. It is supposed to rain today, finally. I really hope so!

Whem my kids were young we could count on a late frost about May 20, and whatever the temps I wouldn't plant tomatoes out before that happened. Now I plant them out May 1. However we often get a hailstorm now for the 'Eisheiligen' (the ice saints, refering to the saying that these particular saints' days bring the frost). And two years ago we had a really freak frost even later that destroyed fruit crops. Apples 2-3 cm across froze through and dropped off. Mini climate saw our garden through that one.

They recently showed in the news the way the glaciers are melting, putting some water suppies in Austria at risk. Of the 100 they check, 91 are shrinking, and only 2 growing. http://tvthek.orf.at/program/Zeit-im-Bild/1203/Zeit-im-Bild/7710680/Gletscherber...

http://www.alpenverein.at/portal/news/aktuelle_news/2014/2014_04_04_gletscherber...

The first is the news broadcast, and probably only available for a few days. The second is the written report.

Now why was 2013 a better year for glaciers than other recent years in spite of record temperatures in the summer? Freak snowstorms in June covered the glaciers for the early summer, and the first snow came early, August/September, and so the melt season was shortened at both ends.

It rained! Not long, but a good start, if only we would get more in the next few days.

We have had too little snow and not much ice forming on the lakes so the lake levels went way down in the last few years. This year the lakes were almost all covered and there's a lot of snow, so that should help moisten the ground. I don't know what this summer is supposed to be like, but the growing season will likely be shorter because normally things would start growing about now, but this year the snow is still quite deep. Likely that means fruits and veggies will be more expensive as is meat.

Life gets more interesting! Sort of like some science fiction story ;)

Cherry Blossoms

YaY! pictures?

>154 MDGentleReader: ::cleaning glasses::

Nope, still don't see a picture of cherry blossoms...

John took one. He hasn't sent it to me yet. It was dark, cellphone cameras don't do well. The one he took was in a lighted area. They are still quite beautiful when it is dark, it is just difficult to capture it on film. Plenty of folks were out with professional looking photography set ups, so I am sure there are lots online. Perhaps I'll look for some of those when I get home.

If it's blossoms you want I can take a few pics tomorrow while walking the dog. It's fruit country here, apples, pears, cherry, orchards and on the side of the roads.
The rain took some of the blossom away already the other day :(

>155 2wonderY:, >156 fuzzi:. John's picture didn't turn out. I looked for pictures on line and realized that I wanted to see the colors, so I mad plans to go back Sunday morning. Alas, that didn't happen.

However, here is a link to other people's pictures: Flickr site with Cherry Blossom pictures

Snow?!? It's APRIL. Did I mention that I live below the Mason-Dixon line?

It was 70F when I was getting ready for work. I drove home in rain, sleet and snow.

Three inches of snow here last night, but it should go tomorrow. It's going to be -9C (16F) tonight. But at least I don't live in the South—that would be really discouraging.

Will the cold affect your crops?

>159 MDGentleReader: Aaahhh. That feels so good. Blossoms against a blue sky.

Thanks.

We got sleet yesterday too, and this morning I was wishing for my gloves.

>162 MDGentleReader: One night shouldn't affect the wheat any more than the rest of the winter did (The jury is still out on how much that was.) Nothing else has been planted yet. This time last year we were just recovering from an ice storm, so it could be worse.

I thought my Gardenias were 'toast': our winter was so unusually cold, all the leaves crisped, curled, and turned dark brown/black...they usually stay green all winter.

Then a couple days ago I noticed several tiny green leaves poking out of the damage, yes!!!!

We've had some rain here finally - almost 5 l per square meter over the past week. (ie we're not any more short than we were a week ago).

However in some areas there has been ice in the rain. Apparently the cause of a pile-up on the autobahn today.

>166 MarthaJeanne: ice scares me. When there is ice/sleet, I stay HOME. In the past I've driven home from work on ice, and I never EVER want to do that again...

Several years ago I was driving along on a clear road, and saw a car coming towards me sliding around. I barely touched the brakes, the next thing I remember was hearing someone scream - me, but I remember hearing it before doing it.

I ended up in the ditch facing the other way. I had to pay for the roadside marker I had taken out, and had to wait forever for help digging out the car, but both the car and I were fine. And the road still looked perfectly clear. Black ice. The only warning was the other car.

And it has probably been over a year since most of those cars last drove on ice, given the mild winter we had. Oh yes, Austria also has laws about needing winter tires - but only until yesterday.

Thought I'd resurrect this thread, as it's got some nice memories. I'm so glad that we can be cozy together.
How 'bout that Buffalo storm, eh?

We've had two weeks of dark and stormy (rain), but the sun is out today.

My personal DOH contact says they have a very limited supply of salt this year and little prospect of getting more. But the stores have plenty right now for the general public.

I have to tell you about the fleece-lined tights I found! They're polyester, but oh! are they cozy!
I bought the whole shelf-full and gave them out as Christmas gifts. Even the guys grabbed them up and told me later how comfy and warm they are. Found them at the farm supply store.

Snowing here - pretty. Got some lovely dark hot chocolate from chocolate shop downstairs from my training classroom after a brisk walk. Yum.

Pineapple express here - warm (50 degrees F) and wet. Just went shopping for Christmas at the mall with my daughter. Still trying to get in the proper spirit. Maybe I'll put some music on. . .

Cold here, no snow yet. We rarely get any before January, if at all.

>172 2wonderY: look what I found after I watched that cute video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B7UmUX68KtE

Anyone for some popcorn? :D

That's adorable! But I'm at the library!! I can't listen to it till Monday!

It reminds me of The Compleat Works of Shakespeare, abridged

Have you seen it? Here it is in all it's 88 minute glory.

Well, except for that one Arctic blast in November, we've had normal cold weather here in Appalachia. It's not even cold enough to wear the tights I gave everybody for Christmas. Days are hovering in the high 30s F, and I've not had to chip ice from the windshield but a few mornings. I saw a snowplow this morning, so I checked the forecast. Nope. Nothing local.

Chilly here, tonight, after rain all day...brrr, damp cold.

>177 fuzzi: I was down near you for the weekend and it was beautiful. Spent lots of hanging around near playground equipment and throwing tennis balls to my nieces. Lots of sunshine - I had missed sunshine of late.

We've not had much sunshine lately. :(

Had a very stressful commute to work today. I am very grateful that my car stayed on the road so well and to fellow drivers who mostly drove at reasonable speeds for conditions. Lots of stuck/spun out cars. I changed my mind about which road to take a few times today to avoid the worst bits. Poor decisions made about not delaying opening or closing altogether for businesses and schools in the area today. There is simply too much traffic on the roads to handle hazardous conditions safely with a full load of commuters. As the tension is leaving my body I am becoming very, very tired.

>180 MDGentleReader: I sympathize with you...I hate winter driving. It's bad enough if I'm the only one on the road, but the people who don't slow down (or get frustrated and try to pass the slower traffic) make me crazy. After a snow/ice storm here in eastern NC the ditches by the side of the road often contain SUVs and pickup trucks, driven by those who did not realize how slippery it can be for ANY vehicle.

We have few snowplows and sand/salt trucks in the county, as we get too few cold weather events to justify the purchase and upkeep of expensive equipment.

> 180 There is a sharp learning curve for drivers in the greater DC area. There is so much fluidity of new people coming in from all over the world each year. And they all think they can handle it.

We (Mid-Ohio Valley) got 5 to 6 inches, and it was coming down quickly in the early morning hours. It was treacherous heading to the Interstate, and I should not have even got on. I have a large hill to cross in the middle of nowhere. I quickly realized I wasn't going to work today, but getting off at the next exit and slushing my way home was an adventure.

I was also glad that my battery died yesterday and I discovered it in the midday so that there was someone to give me a jumpstart. I'm usually the last one gone in the evenings.

>182 2wonderY: I love how things work out, like with your battery...Romans 8:28. :)

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

>180 MDGentleReader: & >182 2wonderY: We also have so much traffic, the plows can't clear the roads if folks don't stay off of them. Very few did on Tuesday, because many places were open. I did have more company than usual on my morning commute Tuesday - all the people who gave up and headed for home. We have the equipment to handle the amount of snow we got, on my drive home the roads Tuesday evening were dry. Plenty of icy patches yesterday, though. Snow drifted across the road with all the wind, melted alittle when it hit the salt on the road and promply refroze.

>182 2wonderY:, >183 fuzzi:, yes, lovely how these things work out sometimes.

>184 2wonderY: Indeed. Took me 1 1/2 hours to get home last night, I think my hybrid used 1/4 tank of gas. The heater is powered by gasoline and I asked it to warm me up to 68F.

Today was the third snow day this week for the kids, and tomorrow's forecast doesn't look very good. I have to wear layers and layers and layers when I take the dog out. I'm very glad that I haven't had to go anywhere in the last couple of days.

It got down to slightly below 0°F here this weekend, but it warmed up again to the 30s. It may even get up to 50°F this coming weekend.

I had a great weekend get-together with three other women I've known and loved for a couple of decades. We've helped each other raise our families and we still share prayer support. It was non-stop talking, eating, re-bonding. Yay, friends!

>187 2wonderY: Yay, friends!

Boo, freezing rain. Another long commute today.

>188 MDGentleReader: it appears we will have freezing rain and ice, tomorrow night and into Wednesday. Ew.

Yes, it looks like we will be sharing this winter event. At least it looks like it'll miss @2wonderY this time.

We "lucked out" this time: we had ice on the trees, and on the cars, but nothing on the roads. Whew.

It was our first winter precipitation this year, in eastern NC. I've not yet seen one snow flake (shhh).

We got a very light dusting this morning after I got to work.

Say, this site is pretty quiet. I'm working industriously, but I like to take breaks and reward myself by touching base here. Is everyone stuck in a book?

>192 2wonderY: Well, the map I saw showed you getting a complete miss for this storm. Harrumph. THere was a light dusting of snow where I am, too.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I am stuck in a funk.

>192 2wonderY: the last few weeks have been very busy. I've been fussing with insurance adjustors about damage to my car, wrangling a rental car, and trying to get the body work scheduled. Plus twice a week after work we both have been seeing our chiropractor to undo some of what a careless teen driver did...

I'm still reading, in short little intervals, and as the opportunity arises! :)

Sympathy! I hope it all unsnarls soon, papers, car and muscles.

We've had a short stretch of good fortune, with money showing up for pepole who really really need it.

>194 fuzzi: What a pain - in more than one sense. Sorry that you are going through that.

>195 2wonderY: love to hear good news.

Above freezing and sunny here. I'll take it.

Thanks for the sympathy. I got my car fixed, but had to pay for some of it out of pocket, grr.

It's currently 36F here, with a little sun. The wind has decreased to almost nil, yes!

I really need to find my balaclava. Fortuantely, I don't need it every year. Need it today and for the weekend. Brrrr. 12F with a stiff, cold wind is no joke.

>199 MDGentleReader: I ordered a neck gaitor from Land's End last month, and have been putting it to good use. It doesn't cover the top of my head, but works better than a scarf to keep the cold/wind off my face, as it doesn't come untied.

Tomorrow I will be traversing the trails of a local nature center, counting birds, and taking photos as much as possible. Temperature at 7am will be about 20F, but with little wind. I will come bundled, and prepared with camera and binoculars! :)

I was outside, too. Left to go home later than I planned. Weather forecast called for 2 inches of snow. Didn't mention it was fall in 1 hour with high winds at the same time. Wonderful conditions to be on the Interstate with a few thousand of my closest friends. Glad to be home.

>201 MDGentleReader: glad you are safe.

They are predicting ice and snow for us Monday night and Tuesday. If we see any snow, it will be the first of the year for us!

Tomorrow we are get all the way up to 19F with wind gusts to 49mph. I was going to go walking. Uh, nope.

I hope conditions are not too bad for you Monday into Tues. guess that's what happens when it gets this cold, the snow moves south.

>201 MDGentleReader: Glad you made it home safely! We're having that kind of day, too.

It was 14F this morning, wind chill about 0. That might not seem cold, but for here, eastern NC, it is breaking some records. My bird feeders have been swamped today, and I anticipate filling them at least twice more before dark.

We had a couple of buildings partially collapse in the area from the high winds. Cold is breaking records here, too.

Drat! And it was being such a nice winter. I was just informed I might get stuck in KY, as we could get up to 15 inches of snow. Staying at daughter's tonight as it's just too dang cold on the ridgetop. I went out there for a bit today just to soak up some of the quiet.

Yep. Five inches already this morning in 2 hours. And the snow in the air just seems to keep getting thicker. SIL tried to drive out to get groceries, but the hill out of the neighborhood stopped him. Just gotta sit here and wait it out. Other than bacon, we seem to have all we need.

>208 2wonderY: That is a lot of snow in a short amount of time.

The predicted accumulations here keep going down. Looks like I won't have a 4 day weekend after all.

>205 fuzzi: it looks like this storm is bringing you ice. Nasty.

>209 MDGentleReader: Your accumulations appear to be stalling here. We've got 8 inches or more. I went out to clear the sidewalk and the car, and the area around it with only a broom. Luckily, it's light and powdery snow. I'd rather do it more than once rather than struggle with 12 inches or more at a go. My bad weather boots were (of course) in the car, so next time I go out, I'll at least be more snug.

>210 2wonderY: you needn't keep it ALL for yourself, we'll take some ;-).

I went back outside to sweep the next two-three inches and while I was at it I talked to the weather. I'm getting a large sense of being ignored.

>210 2wonderY: I actually don't mind that kind of snow, in reasonable amounts. We don't own snow shovels as we would use them maybe once a year or so.

>209 MDGentleReader: yep, I saw the latest forecast: freezing rain, ice, sleet, snow. Nice...not.

Tonight Snow and sleet likely before 10pm, then freezing rain and sleet between 10pm and 1am, then freezing rain after 1am. Low around 27. East wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tuesday Freezing rain likely, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. North wind 10 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

4 day weekend!

My nieces in NC are sledding down their icy driveway and street.

Oh good! I didn't want to hog it all.

We didn't get out of the driveway this morning, the roads are rinks.

Even the POLICE department is closed, except for essential personnel.

The wind picked up yesterday and was blowing the snow that was already on the ground, so with blue skies above, we still had white-out conditions. I did take advantage of a slot of time when things quieted down and the internet maps showed all green my entire route home. Nearing Charleston, WV we were directed off the Interstate and through the little towns adjacent till we passed whatever mess was up on the Interstate. Temps were already dropping. Wiper fluid was freezing in streaks on the windshield, but I kept the blower going.

I got home in time to re-set the heaters. They are manually controlled, no thermostats, so I really didn't want to let the house sit without me during the temperature drop coming up.

I'll work tomorrow to make up the day I lost. Workplace was closed Tuesday, so I don't have to take leave for it.

Those were great pictures you posted @fuzzi. I think I'll go back and enjoy them again.

Getting the car started in the mornings:



in Yakutsk, Siberia.

My daughter's school is hosting a group of Mexican students for three weeks. The day they arrived there was a 50˚C temperature variation between Mexico and here. So far they're excited about the snow.

>217 2wonderY: thanks, you mean the flowers posted above?

Glad you made it home okay. Driving in winter weather is no joke.

>219 SylviaC: 50C degree difference in temperature boggles my mind. Wonder if they'll be as excited about the snow at the end of the 3 weeks? WHich bit of Mexico are they from? The south, I presume?

>217 2wonderY: Glad you are safely home again. That must have been quite a tense drive.

>221 MDGentleReader: I'm not sue what area they're from, but the temperature there was around 26 or 28C, and here it was -23C.

Y'all staying safe?

I took a quick trip up to my attic and found my warmest wool sweaters. These are the ones that bulk me up to twice my size. They've become standard wear for February. I even wore one to bed last night.

I made a successful (no accident) 3 hour drive out of what is usually a 35 minute drive Saturday with a few thousand of my closest friends. What was supposed to be flurries at 2pm turned out to be pretty heavy snow at 10:30am. We had snow that was then soaked with rain, some of which melted, then it all refroze. Bitterly cold with random patches of ice. I wimped out and came in late to work yesterday, there was a heat wave by the time I came in - 30F. We are certainly paying for that incredibly mild December.

I think @fuzzi got snow today (my relatives who live near to her did, anyway).

Did you brave the Beltway? That seems to be everyone's favorite place to drive TO. And then stop for a while.

Yes, I was on the Beltway. Sigh. I am sure there are pictures. There were times that I was afraid that I would be there all night. Normally, the times I take it the Beltway is the fastest way to where I am going.

Actually, early on there was a car at ninety degrees to the road and someone had parked on the shoulder a little further along and set up a very professional looking video camera on a huge tripod.

Oh, my. Lots more snow for @fuzzi.

Hey! Actually, we got slush, sleet and rain. My son said it was like a huge Icee dumped on the roads.>227 MDGentleReader: sorry about your Beltway experience.

>229 fuzzi: Depending on the flavor, that makes it much more attractive! Root beer is my choice.

>230 2wonderY: LOL! :D

I am grateful for my Yaktrax, tow-truck-in-a-bag, straightened hoe that I use as an ice chipper, short sidewalks, ice melt and that I park my car on black asphalt that warms up in the sun. Also grateful that my Sweetie's parents made it home yesterday even thou hit took over 13 hours and they left everything in thir mini- van in someone else's driveway.

>232 MDGentleReader: why did they leave all their stuff in someone's driveway...?

Their driveway blocked with snow and ice, sidewalk, too. Stupid us didn't think to clear it before they came home.

Oops. Hope it gets warm enough to melt some of that snowpack. It's supposed to get up to 73F here, tomorrow (Wednesday), but then will be 25F by Thursday evening. Sheesh.

We're under another winter weather advisory for sleet and freezing rain todau 12pm to 10pm. Then snow Wednesday night into Thursday. Sigh.

I know. I'm in your line of weather sight. Do you want me to put up the weather capture apparatus or redirect signals? Where shall we send it this time?

The rain/snow needs to go back west, to California and other areas that are in desperate need of moisture.

>237 2wonderY: & >238 fuzzi: Yes. The Southwest, the Pacific Northwest (US and CAN) and CA really need all this moisture.

Whups, too late. Here it comes again, girls.

Started last night. Ever seen the cartoons with someone's heart jumping out of their chest? Mine did that last night on the drive home. Looks quite likely that I won't have to work on Thursday.

Woke to 9 inches this morning. Actually, I was restless last night and got up multiple times to look out the windows. It's the heavy, fluffy sticky snow, so every surface has a deep frosting. My car disappeared. There are lines down up the block. Work was cancelled, but I brought cartons of files home intending to work through the piles while watching movies and sipping hot chocolate.

It's still coming down with intention and we have at least 12 inches now, possibly more.

Hiked to Wendy's for chili and wi-fi.

How's everyone?

A-weary of shoveling. Asthma is bad this week which makes it a challenge. Thank you for drawing some of it off, though - I don't think we'll get that much. I hate the way this stuff sticks to my shovel. Maybe I should try some vegetable oil on it or something. I cannot work at home, I'll need to make up the time or use precious PTO.

Good luck digging out.

Rain here, possibly freezing rain and sleet in a bit, as the temperature is still dropping. It was 70F this morning, now is 36F!

>242 2wonderY: intending to work through the piles while watching movies and sipping hot chocolate.

Why can't work always be like this?

PAM is supposed to help, but I've never tried it. I think vegetable oil would gum up.

It was so pretty this morning with the sun shining, and crystals shimmering in the air. The telephone wires are 4 inch circumference rods of snow. Most trees have as much snow as they have leaves in the summer. Shaded streets are treacherous. The city truck plowed my street this morning and I had to dig the car out again, through crusty ice this time.

Made it to the library just now. Even the main streets are a nasty slushy mess.

>243 MDGentleReader: what about WD40?

Hey! I thought of that on my way home from the library yesterday! Great minds... Mine's just a tad slow.

Minds run slower in cold temps... ;)

>249 fuzzi: 2wonderY probably isn't a troll then. As Lance-Constable Detritus of the Ankh-Morpork City Guard (Night Watch), a troll, puts it:

"You see? Brain of impure silicon. Problem of heat dissipation. Daytime temperature too hot, processing speed slows down, weather gets hotter, brain stops completely, trolls turn to stone untill nightfall, ie, colder temperature, however, lower temperature enough, brain operates faster and ..."

Terry Pratchett, Men at arms

Or as another character puts it, coming out of the mountains and down to the city makes trolls stupid.

>250 Cynfelyn: thanks, that's an interesting quote. :)

I've read (and enjoyed) Terry Pratchett's work Small Gods, but never felt the need to explore his works further.

Heh, that's one of the stand-alone books in the series. Also one of my favourites.

Agreed, Terry Pratchett is a genius.

Heat Wave. 51°F and bright sunshine.
The animals are more active. Skunks are on the move and the squirrel in my attic is gnawing on my house. I was going to give him grace until the weather warmed, poor guy. Enterprising squirt, but he is working on the siding around the electrical service.

I was going to get a humane trap from Dept. of Wildlife, but I decided to act today. I lined his entry hole with rat sized sticky traps.

Mother Nature-

* The way you coat each and every twig of every tree with snow - just stunning. (just a hint - a little heavy handed this time, it's hard on the evergreens and magnolias)
* Coming inside after being outside with my black hat, coat and purse turned white - always good for a laugh.
* I've always had a helathy respect for your power - I guess it is your idea of fun to outpace my snow clearing efforts now and again to remind me of your power.

Just wanted to mention something that might have escaped your notice *Ahem* It is the first day of SPRING! If this snow had come yesterday, well it still would have been winter, these things happen. Today, well, NO!

When we lived in Connecticut, it would snow on Mother's Day some years...not a lot, but still....SNOW!!!

>254 MDGentleReader:, yes, but I live below the Mason Dixon line. * Teeny, tiny foot stamp *