Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Relative Temperature

Around these parts, when the temp hits 46 in September you think you are going to freeze to death. When it hits 46 in January you think you've died and gone to heaven.

Last week when we were freezing our keesters off, my mom told me to look forward to my grandma's birthday on January 27 because it usually meant a reprieve from the arctic temperatures. Grandma's birthday = January thaw.

January 27th was a great day with temps well above freezing. My dog, Gretchen, and I went for a walk.

Gretchen
Gretchen enjoying the January thaw.


Fence in the snow
Fence in the snow.


Corn stalks
Corn stalks


January 28th proved to be a better day yet when the temps hit the "died and gone to heaven" range. I scooped snow out of the lane in front of the house. I still couldn't penetrate the 2" thick glacier to find the actual lane, but I tried. It was almost too warm for a coat. It was a beautiful day.

This morning I woke to the sound of the wind sweeping down the plains. Gale force. A poor little hairy woodpecker clung to the tree afraid to take a ride on the swinging suet basket. Then it started to snow. Sideways. Temps dropped and the wind chill factor was -40. Travel was not advised. Roads closed.

At 5 p.m. I ventured out to throw seed to the birds and get the mail. The visibility had improved a great deal, but the temperature was no better. There were sun dogs, always a sign that it is too damn cold. I wanted to picture them, but you are going to have to settle for a picture that I took on New Year's Day. Another damn cold day.

Sun Dogs
Sun Dogs on New Year's Day.

3 comments:

Gwen said...

It was in the 40s today in Vegas. I was so cold I thought I'd die.

Your dog is very pretty.

pj said...

I am looking forward to Sunday when it is going to be 31 above zero!

Gretchen thanks you for the compliment.

Hannita said...

Sunday in Chicago was lovely too. I tromped through the snow for an hour or so. And then the temp took a dive. Sigh.