Don’t ask how cold it is here. Just don’t ask. I feel like I should be wearing fingerless gloves at the moment. I know I have a pair somewhere. Since tomorrow morning will be even colder, I’ll have to find them.
Don and I feel like we’re trapped in a research station in Antarctica. Or a biosphere.
I did manage to escape for a few hours yesterday and drove to the bookstore. But along the way, my tire pressure warning light went on, so yours truly was out there in below zero wind chills trying to add enough air to my rear tires so the warning light would go out. It is impossible to do that with gloves on. Trust me. It eventually went off and I spent a bit of time at Barnes & Noble (being taken over more and more by children’s toys and educational items, plus weird Manga stuff.) Somewhere in the midst of all of that, there are still actual books. It’s not my preferred bookstore, but you take what you can get.
A closer view of the flowers on the sansevieria. They are so fragrant! Don loves them.
One of the rubber plant leaves is starting to open. This is my first experience with a rubber plant and its new growth, so I’m enjoying the unveiling.
Thank you houseplants for giving me something to do, to nurture, and to observe during these winter months.
I’m sure you’ve noticed that I haven’t done a book review in a while. As with some other changes, it just seems to be happening naturally at this point in my life. That’s not to say I won’t do more in the future, I’m sure I will, but the sheer amount of deadline-type reading I had to do for the book blog and for the reviews on this blog was too much.
I also think a good book review takes time and care. I see some book ‘reviews’ on blogs that consist of the publisher’s blurb that gives you a hint of the plot, followed by an “I liked it, I loved it, or I didn’t like it” and that’s it. That’s not a review. That’s a thumbs up or down, more suited to Amazon or Goodreads, and it isn’t the way I write/wrote my reviews.
Anyway, I seem to be at a point with this blog, as I’ve said before, where I’m happy with what it is, where I’m not trying to make it into anything other than what it is, and where anything that involves a deadline or trying to make more money off the blog or feels like a drain on my energy is being phased out. And it’s all happening naturally. The only thing I made a conscious decision about was the deletion of my book blog.
I’m coming up on 10 years of blogging on February 17th. Ten years! And I think I’ve distilled the blog down to its essence, which is a good place to be as I prepare to celebrate that ‘birth’ day.
Last night’s sunset.
The view from the kitchen was even more Maxfield Parrish-like:
If we’re going to be in this awful cold, it’s the least that Mother Nature can do for us.
Happy Saturday.
I agree on some of the book ‘reviews’ I read. In fact, I have stopped reading the easy ones. I buy most of my real books on amazon. I just bought 3 used books for very little money. I like the reviews on amazon for the most part. I can’t get into good-reads as much as I try. I guess because I am on amazon shopping it is better to do it all there. I love my prime. I order the heavy things we use in the house as we are in a high rise and carrying household waters, cleaning products, etc. is difficult.
I like your blog, no matter the day you always find something to write about and photograph.
I do also read a lot on kindle but I like paper ones for the pool and in the out of doors.
I like real books the best!
I never got into Goodreads, either! Thanks so much for your kind words, Gayle.
I review books on Amazon or Goodreads , when I remember to! I know it helps the authors, I just simply don’t remember to do it 😕
Do you need more fingerless mitts? I have a group of them that I have made or can make you some. Let me know.
Hopefully the cold and wind chill let up soon. Until then, stay warm at Ice Station Sparks!
I’m okay, Debbie, but thank you!
When you referenced a research station in Antarctica, I immediately thought about Ice Station Zebra. Yes…it’s still frigid. But, starting tomorrow there will be a warm-up, here at least. Maybe it’ll reach you soon, too? In the meantime, enjoy your plants, the sunsets (the winter sun is amazing), and stay warm! ;)
I use that movie title all the time around here! Ask Don!
The warmup will happen on Monday, although it won’t go below during the day on Sunday and the winds will have died down. Right now – very windy.
I’m so glad I found your blog.
Oh, thank you so much, Sandy!
I feel for you on the cold weather, Claudia. Unrelenting, extreme weather is no fun! On the flip side, it has been so mild here in Colorado (60s today), and we desperately need more snow! If only there was a way to even things out a bit.
I agree! It’s extreme everywhere, isn’t it?
Find those gloves!! I’m going to try to get Christmas down this afternoon while watching USA ice skating championships on TV. I’m ready for it to be gone now. Your houseplants are doing so well with your nurturing. Hugs!
Christmas will come down here tomorrow. It’s too cold to mess around with finding things in the shed!
I ended up spending the day working on my Mom’s computer. Her router quit working so I got her another one (a trip to Target) and it’s up and running but now I’m too tired to put away Christmas. Tomorrow is another day!
Yes, it is!
You absolutely did capture a Parrish moment. I think we’re in mid 60’s today. Don’t hate me. It doesn’t help me though, still stuck inside.
I’m sorry you’re still dealing with all of that. Feel better soon!
We still have snow and ice on the ground here in coastal SC. Our low tonight is supposed to be 12 degrees with wind chills in the 5 to 8 degree range. I can only imagine how cold you must be! I drove for the first time today since the snow fell on Wednesday. I’m going to drive home tonight after babysitting my granddaughter and plan to not drive again until everything melts. We’re on day 4 of this mess and I’m ready for our usual weather. I’ve enjoyed the beauty of the snow but it can go now!
I agree! Love it at Christmas, but by now? I want it gone!
Wow, you are so right. That last photo today is VERY Maxfield Parrish – it’s striking how much. What a good eye you have, Claudia. No kidding. I know I’ve said it before, but you should do a book of your own photos. I always save photos that I see anywhere online that I like – to folders on my Mac – & at last count, I’ve saved 78 from your blog. In a folder marked “Claudia.” Just to look at again. Have over 150 folders of saved items, for all kinds of purposes. Many are just images to view again – from the cutest animals ever to china I like. You name it. “The world is so full of a number of things – we shall all be as happy as kings…” Robert Louis Stevenson. Well well, I guess I’ve had just enough coffee today, huh? Quoting RLS! Stay cozy in that cozy cottage. Keep Stella busy & toasty – maybe bake some more Linzers! LOL. Have a good one. Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
I get overwhelmed by the idea of trying to make a book of my photos! There are SO MANY. It seems like too big a thing to undertake!
I baked Linzers the other day, so I think it might be Cloud Biscuits tonight.
One of the lead stories in my Sunday paper was how cold, really cold, most of the northeast is, and how unseasonably warm it is on the west coast. Climate change…. We had some rain earlier in the week, but apparently, a bigger storm is heading our way. Oh, and we had an earthquake early early morning yesterday, centering in Berkeley, not too far from me. No reports of damage or injuries. Most of us used to earthquakes were awoken, shrugged and went back to sleep. It lasted a long time, and my cats, who were on the bed, lifted there heads and went back to sleep too. There was no apparent reaction before the quake….I guess they’ll never qualify as sentinel animals for quake warning!
Climate change for sure, Wendy. I heard about the earthquake. I’ve certainly been through them while in San Diego and they’re always a bit unnerving!
I love your blog and look forward to reading it every day. Northern New Jersey is horrendously cold as well! My furnace just runs and runs…which means another oil bill. I am Knitting and reading and trying not to go outside. And having lots of hot tea!
Ours, too. We put in an order for more oil, but I’m worried we might run out before they can get here!
I think I’d read that Barnes & Noble like many brick & mortar stores is suffering. I don’t have one in my town but I feel like I should go buy something there, do my part to keep any bookstore alive.
Was reading just this morning about how severe cold affects the car; have wondered about it ever since you mentioned the starting up for the battery. Article was from Car & Driver mag, how so much of the car can suffer damage when the weather is so freezing: Deflated tires, yes. Dead battery, yes. Thick oil. Ice in the fuel line (keep the tank at least half full is the recommendation). Brittle rubber on wiper blades for the windshield; windshield frozen on the inside. Antifreeze/coolant issues. Says make sure your belts are in good shape.
Between house & car & everything else, I’ve decided your snow is nothing but a big hassle!
I think that’s why they’re adding all that other stuff – because they need to generate more of a profit.
Wonxerful post Claudia-reading your blog gives me enormous pleasure, for which I thank you .
Laughing cutrrently at the latest from the Orange one- that he is a ” very stable genius”. Funniest thing I have heard in years!!!
Wil you be celebrating your 10th anniversary? Perhaps we should have a Claudia day in yur honour??
Siobhan x
He is the epitome of self-delusion!
I’m not sure how I’ll be celebrating my 10th Ann. – but I’ll certainly be blogging about it!
So tired of being so cold. We are to warm up tomorrow, and we will pay for that with ICE. Oh, man, I hate ice!! And, wow! do I hate my whining!!!! I apologize to everyone. This weather makes me do it.
I am taking Christmas down, and our dishwasher broke yesterday, so my husband is installing a new one. The entire house is a total mess. See, more whining. I only wish that Jan, Feb and March went by half as quickly as do June, July, and Aug. Wonder why that is! Stay warm!!
I know. I said the same thing, because that’s what we’re getting on Monday. Enough already. I have never been this sick of winter this early in the season. And now? I kept telling Don to check the oil, and today he finally did it and it’s down to less than 1/8 of a tank. So we’ve got the thermostats set at lower temps and we’re praying the oil holds out until tomorrow when they can deliver some. Apparently, this is happening all over the place because the woman Don talked to who works with our oil delivery guy said she’d been up all night with all the calls and emergencies. It’s brutal here.
Those photos are gorgeous. As far as Barnes and Noble goes, I also get e-mails telling me I returned the book I ordered. It seems they get my address wrong. I have stopped ordering from them.
Marilyn
Wow…that sunset really does look like a Parrish…so nice that you were able to capture it!…I also read that Barnes and Noble are having problems…Everybody out there stay safe and warm!!
You, too, Nancy!
I do hope that by the time my NY boy travels back, the weather will be more stable and on the mild side. Warm wishes!
I think it will be warmer as the week goes on, Tammy. It had better be!
had to play catch up on the two latest posts. have had a very strange 48 hour bug.
and just seeing the comments and watching some of the “bomb” on the weather channel…
good grief Charlie Brown. it gave me chills.
and I already had chills from the bug!
I have decided the older I get that I am a greenhouse plant. extremes are NOT my idea of fun.
extreme heat that our summers here bring … triple digits that last until the end of Autumn.
or winters like yours with below frigid temps and SNOW that go on and on.
just give me nice comfortable climes. well. just not likely anywhere now with climate change.
stay warm dear bean! and like Sandy said … “I’m so glad I found your blog!”
I hope you’re feeling better, Tammy!
My tire pressure light comes on every time we have a big temperature change even in Florida. I hope it warms up a little.
Yes, it happened to me last year, as well, and it was during the winter.
Hi Claudia, One of my many hats I’ve worn over the years was pumping gas ,a full service “Gas Station” The reason I bring this up,tire pressure always fluctuates a little from day to day,but with freezing cold weather like you have had just leave it. It should recover it’s self within a few degrees. Unless of course it is flat.
If I could make one more comment,speaking of your blog it is the only blog left that I read consistently anymore.I have tried to stay with a couple that I have really liked,one that has apparently become quite monetarily successful,every other line (Not exaggeration) is a two or three line add. I can’t even tell what I’m reading blog or advertisement. It appears to me that the most work on the blog involves rearranging to fit in more ads. I notice fewer comments.
NO matter how many sponsors you have you must have readers to see them. Thank-You for your blog! Judy A-
Oh, thanks so much! I remember it happened last year around this time, so that stark change in the weather was what caused it. That helps!
Thank you, sweet Judy, for your kind comment!
PS I was so busy complaining that I hope you got my point,I Love this blog it’s my all time favorite.
You see? Judy A-
I do!