In like a lion, out like a lamb

Ponds start to freeze over pretty good in this kind of weather. Nothing more heartbreaking than seeing two dozen head standing at the edge of a frozen pond and bellering for water.

I did "pipe patrol" about an hour ago; crawling around (and under) the shack to make sure I don't have any surprises tomorrow morning.?ÿ I too am very well fed and know where to hide out.?ÿ Unlike livestock I also have a blanket and a remote to keep me warm. ;)?ÿ

I remember some very cold trips on foot with the axe to cut holes in several-inch-thick pond ice for Dad's cattle to drink.?ÿ The splashes would freeze on my glasses and stay there until I got back in the house.

When I was just a tadpole in a little town in the Colorado high country we couldn't wait for the winter chill to set in.?ÿ There were two vacant lots next to the volunteer fire fighter's garage that had been graded out for an ice rink.?ÿ October through March that was the place to be after they had cracked a hydrant and flooded the lots.?ÿ Best ice skating in the world.?ÿ Someone always piled firewood up and there was always a fire going so you could stand and warm your hands.?ÿ The firemen had an outside speaker that crackled music from an AM radio.

We lived two doors down and across the street from the rink.?ÿ There was an on and off hockey game that lasted those almost those entire six months.?ÿ Local customs reserved Friday night for young lovers though.?ÿ We called it "couple's night".?ÿ Being as we lived so close it was really easy to peek out and see who was holding hands with whom.?ÿ Lots of gossip was generated right there peeking out our front room window.?ÿ?ÿ

Haven't thought about that for years.?ÿ Life was so much simpler then.

Living in the north east in a coastal state temps don't really get to extreme lows unless there is a drastic cold snap.?ÿ In my younger years it seems that we got allot more snow and always had a frozen over lake to ice skate on.

These days the lakes freeze over enough to skate on for a week or two a year, at best but it's fun to see the kids on the ice playing hockey and having a good time.

Where I'm at it's considered "freezing" if you have to wear shoes. I get cold just reading these posts. ?????ÿ

@flga-2-2 Yeah, we're supposed to get into the lower 30s tonight after running the air conditioner yesterday.?ÿ It's not supposed to get above the mid 50s this week.?ÿ BRRRRRRR

Andy

Currently -11F/-24C with predicted high +8F.?ÿ We took about 8 to 9" of fluffy snow off the driveway last night, and this morning moved the pile left at the end of the driveway by the street plow.?ÿ There was another 1.5" of snow that I took off the sidewalk, but haven't finished the driveway because I needed to warm up my hands.

I tell myself that I don't mind scooping snow because it is the price of killing copperheads, scorpions, etc.?ÿ I just complain when I run out of places to put it.?ÿ We use a sliding scoop that takes a lot of the load off the back - you just need arm and shoulder muscles, and a shovel for fine cleanup.?ÿ When the pile beside the driveway gets to be a tall ramp, it gets hard to shove the scoop over it.

@andy-bruner?ÿ

Yea, the FL TV weather wizards are all hyped up because of that front moving through. They had a "disappointing" Hurricane Season so a "front" is the next best thing. ?????ÿ

We are at nearly noon here and the wind chill is up to only -3 F at last.?ÿ Spent 30 minutes outside and barely noticed it.?ÿ The sun is shining brightly so the mental aspect of experiencing the weather is strong.

@holy-cow?ÿ

It would be a whole lot nicer outside if the that wind would quit blowing.?ÿ The cold is almost tolerable with the bright sun..but the wind takes all the "pleasant" out of the equation.?ÿ Walked the dogs a little bit ago.?ÿ They love the cold and want to play.?ÿ Me? Not so much.?ÿ I couldn't get back indoors quick enough.

At least we're not covered in snow.?ÿ Talked with sis in CO this morning.?ÿ The got a foot of snow dumped on them yesterday.

But hey, it is January.?ÿ?ÿ

@paden-cash Years ago I had clothes for working in the cold and wind.?ÿ Carhartt overalls, down coat, gloves and a wool head covering.?ÿ Of course with all those clothes on it was hard to move.?ÿ Now that down coat comes out of the closet about every two or three years for a day or two.?ÿ Now if it gets below freezing my puppy will get me out for 30 minutes at a time - max.

Andy

Those in the northern climates deal with problems those in the far southern climates have never experienced.?ÿ During the years I lived in the Snow Belt of Michigan I joined a group of local farmers who met once each month at noon at a nice restaurant to discuss current issues.?ÿ This was only a three minute drive from my employer's parking lot.?ÿ Before exiting my office building in my suit and tie, I would put on my rubbers (the little slip-on rubber booties that protect dress shoes).?ÿ Next was the heavy trench coat and furry hat and mittens.?ÿ Trudge to the car. Next was the attempt to get all of me, plus the tail of the trench coat inside my car.?ÿ Fire it up, drive the three minutes, then attempt to get all of me out of the car, including the tail of the trench coat.?ÿ Trudge to the restaurant doorway.?ÿ Off comes the mittens, furry hat, overcoat and rubbers.?ÿ Then slip into the restroom to confirm whether or not I had arrived in good condition.?ÿ Finally, stroll into the meeting room to join my colleagues for thirty minutes of food and education.?ÿ Then repeat the entire process to return to my office.

@flga-2-2?ÿ
OH Sure, rub it in!!!! ???? ???? ?????ÿ

Speaking if running out of room, my friend in Juneau sent this the other day as well as the forecast of another 6-16" on the way. That's his boat under the blue tarp.

Posted by: @chris-bouffard

These days the lakes freeze over enough to skate on for a week or two a year, at best but it's fun to see the kids on the ice playing hockey and having a good time.

There was a several acre detention pond near my childhood home.?ÿ It wasn't NHL quality ice, had some floating garbage imbedded in it.?ÿ We spent a lot of time skating until we got dirt bikes, then it was oval track racing.?ÿ You learn a lot about handling a dirt bike with knobbys?ÿ racing on ice.

I don't believe I could work in a northern or high-altitude climate.?ÿ It rarely gets below 40?øF here, and when it's in the 40s I can't seem to put on enough clothing to stay warm.?ÿ Above 50?ø I'm okay aside from the bulky clothing, but I'm much happier when it's between 60?ø and 90?ø.?ÿ Over 100?ø and I quickly start to fade.?ÿ I just don't have much of a working range.

My son grew up here and then spent 4 years in college in San Diego.?ÿ Climate-wise he led a sheltered life until the fall of 2020, when he went to Michigan for grad school.?ÿ But unlike me he enjoys the cold, and often goes walking at night in the middle of winter there.?ÿ He's not a chip off the ol' block.

Whohooooo.?ÿ Things are looking up.?ÿ With an overnight low of 11 we may actually creep up all the way to 32 by midafternoon tomorrow.?ÿ Cutting the wind speed from 20+ mph to single digits will be welcomed.

@holy-cow It got down to 25 here last night.?ÿ It's now 10:30 and it's all the way up to 30.?ÿ Light breeze so the windchill is in the low 20s.?ÿ BRRRRR!!!!?ÿ?ÿ

Andy

I haven't seen water in it's solid state for more than 20 years now, outside of a drinking glass. But next monday my wife and I are going to Cleveland Ohio as age and the need for 1st world medical care have caught up to us. The 3rd trip in 3 months. We will be there for 2-3 weeks. Someone please tell me that the worst of winter is over and it won't be all that cold. It's in the low 80's here today as usual.