This winter has been a different animal than last winter. We haven’t had a lot of snow, usually just an inch or two. You’re saying: Hey Claudia, that’s good! Remember last year?
The problem lies with the snow changing to sleet and then changing to rain and then freezing. That’s what happened yesterday. We ended up getting lots of rain on top of the snow and despite our bests efforts to stay on top of the slush, this morning everything has turned to ice. The driveway, the dog corrals – both big and small; everything.
This has happened several times this winter. I would almost rather have a big, clean snow fall. Don hasn’t been able to use the snowblower – the amount of snow doesn’t warrant it. This crappy mess that keeps hitting us is dangerous and a pain in the tush. It’s not making me happy.
And it’s very, very cold. It went down into the teens last night and isn’t supposed to get much warmer during the day today.
Let’s take a minute to gaze upon this photo of the happy couple that hangs above the desk:
Or this one, written about in a Valentine’s Day post a few years back:
We’re on the beach.
The beach that was just a few miles from our home.
In San Diego.
And I’m much skinnier, but that’s beside the point.
This is the time of year, after the first charming snow fall has come and gone, when I wonder what the heck we’re doing here. Why did we move East? Just what were the reasons?
Oh, I know what they were. And are. And most of the year, we like living here.
Just not now. In the winter.
Or when deer ticks give us lyme disease.
How is the weather where you are? Is it cold? Is it frigid and snowy? Or are you sitting under a palm tree somewhere?
Happy Tuesday.
We live in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. Today the sun is shining but it is only 15 degrees. The slush from yesterday’s temp of 36 has turned to ice. I’m a little older than you, Claudia, and I’m so afraid of falling. I’m counting the days till Spring.
I totally understand that fear, Linda. I have it, too. Even yesterday, before everything froze, I was nervous about falling. Be safe. Stay indoors!
Warm in the 70’s here in the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix. The hubs is out for a hike. We retired from Illinois 3 years ago and never looked back. Fingers crossed for an early spring for you. Cindy
Don would like to move to AZ, Cindy. I’m not so keen on it, but who knows??
Hubby just said Sunday, “lets move to Arizona”. I’m not ready for that yet. I love Michigan but we have had some horrible winters lately.
It’s been tough, that’s for sure!
Here in east central Illinois, it has been gloomy, bleak & gray since November. I try to get out for the little bits of sunshine we’ve had. December was on the warm side, but the temps. dropped after Christmas and it has been freezing! Not much snow here, but we did have an ice storm that ended yesterday….what a mess! I’d rather deal with snow than ice. The sun is shining here this morning and I’m ready to bundle up and take the dog for a short walk if the road side isn’t too icy.
Me too. Snow is much safer to deal with than ice, Debbie. Be careful walking your dog!
This time of year can be a pretty big downer wherever you find yourself. Although we’re definitely not sitting under a palm tree sipping pina coladas, we are working on our version of an escape. We moved from California to the wilds of upstate New York about the same time as you did. Bought a cute little camp on a lake in the Adirondacks, but it’s only habitable from May to October. So, we also bought a brownstone in Albany to spend the winter months. After eight winters, my husband had had enough…you could say he was “mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore”! So, last winter we rented a house on the beach in Alabama to escape the snowblower. But it wasn’t a typical winter in Alabama, either. It didn’t snow on the beach and the palm trees appeared to be hanging in there, but much of the other foliage had frozen to death. It was cold enough for sweaters and socks and sweats the whole time and it rained and rained and rained! But it didn’t snow! We stayed down south longer than expected because of the bad weather up north, visiting a very chilly New Orleans and a quite nippy Houston. As February wore on and we knew we should head back north, we detoured back through FL and finally found some sunshine. It was a cold winter there, as well, but their idea of cold was tolerable for us, the palms and bougainvillia appeared to be thriving and walks on the beach were just the medicine for my husband…Long story short, we found a little shack to rescue, just off the beach in a funny little town—a project to keep us busy and not shoveling snow for a few winters to come. Though it’s a huge cliche’ for New Yorkers to end up in Florida, we accepted the challenge and that’s the life we’re living this year. It’s a lot of work, but somehow just knowing that the palms and the beach are right outside the door and that warm weather must surely make an appearance will keep us going until we make our way back north for the summer. And the cycle begins again.
I envy you having two homes, Shanna! It’s lovely that you found that shack and are creating a perfect winter escape. Good for you!
We have a wet, heavy snow coating everything here in Colorado Springs. It’s 20 degrees and everything has a thin coat of ice under the snow. But, praise God, we are heading for Phoenix, then then California coast on Friday!! It’s a family emergency, so not a good reason, but I am looking forward to a little sunshine and warmth.
I’m sorry about the reason being a family emergency, Melina, but I know you’ll love the sunshine.
I’m in Northern California, where we would love some rain, and some “wet”snow in the mountains. Apparently, the last couple of rainfalls dumped snow with insufficient water content in the Sierras, so our reservoirs won’t be so full with this Spring’s snow melt. Our drought continues…it will be in the mid-60’s today. That in itself would be nice if we didn’t have water rate hikes on top of additional water rationing. Be careful with all the slush and ice out there….don’t slip and fall.
This reminds me that everyone has their weather problems. The drought in California is simply terrible and I know that you are longing for more water!
It is -7 here…and I. AM. HIBERNATING.
ME TOO! Don’s out salting. I’m staying inside, Linda.
We have had some cold days, but for the most part, we have had a decent winter. Just grey. It gets grey in St. Augustine, but I don’t even mind that because it goes with the coquina and old buildings. And we actually live under a palm tree or two. ;-) We have been crowded to the rafters with visitors this winter, and everyone is outside, walking around, and enjoying being able to do that. We did have a snow flurry last week in NE Florida when the arctic air hit, but only for a little bit. Mr. Magpie thought it was fog. ;-)
He and I have had this discussion recently while out of state, and we both agreed we would rather be warm than cold. I used to love cold weather, but the older I get, the more I crave warmth and particularly need the sun in winter. When I was young, I used to get sad every January like clockwork. I had a doctor suggest later that I might have a mild case of Seasonal Affect Disorder. And living in Florida has taken care of that.
While I could see having a place somewhere else, I could never leave Florida. Every time I drive across the state line, I get this happy feeling that I’m home, that it is as glad to see me as I am to see it. I have actually been known to honk at the sign and proclaim, “Hallelujah!” Yes, I know a lot of people think of Florida as a big theme park and touristy, but that is part of the charm to me. It has been welcoming happy guests for over a hundred years in terms of modern tourism, and unlike some of our neighboring/nearby states, we have spotless rest areas (I literally walked, no RAN, out of one in a nearby state), all sorts of amenities that make life easy from good restaurants to easy access gas stations, the gorgeous water, and entertainment.
California holds a lot of appeal to me, too. Minus the earthquakes and wildfires, the climate is wonderful in Southern California. It is just so expensive to live there. If I could afford it, I think I would love to have a place there. And in Martha’s Vineyard in the summer. My cousin does, and it is fabulous!
xo
Sheila
You live in a lovely part of Florida, Sheila. My family lives in the Tampa/St. Pete area, which is also nice, but I think St. Augustine has a lot of charm! And I envy your warm weather at this moment in time!
I wish I could pack up some warmth and send it your way, Claudia. I hate that you have had ice. That is definitely no fun, particularly with Scoutie getting older and also the dangers of slipping for two-legged creatures, too. I never used to think about falls till I had that bad one last year on a perfectly dry day and was incapacitated for three months, unable to drive. But believe me, I do now! Take care. Sending warm, snug, safe thoughts your way…
xo
Sheila
Here in Houston today it is 45 and rainy, and humid. In the past couple of weeks the lows were around 27-30. Brrrr!
Very cold for Houston, Cindy!
Like those who have commented above, we live in Illinois. We are in Northern Illinois 40 miles west of Chicago. This is a much better winter than our last one. November was cold, but it warmed up in December. Bitter cold hit after Christmas and in January we are getting snow. My husband is recovering from surgery now so I am doing the shoveling. I can do it with help from our son who lives nearby. For the first time ever we will head to Florida in February. We are renting a place a little north of Naples. If we like it down in Florida we may plan on doing this next winter.
For the hot humid Illinois summer we have a little cabin in northern Wisconsin on lake just an hour south of Ashland and Lake Superior. We are in our late 60’s and love Illinois. We live in a hundred year old family home and our children and grandchildren live nearby.
It sounds like you have the ideal mix of residences! A place to retreat to in the summer, and a place to retreat to in the winter! Take care when you’re shoveling and healing wishes for your husband, Sue!
Well, we’ve got palm trees but it is a little on the cool side, at least for us. 30’s at night and 60’s during the day. Desert cold goes straight to your bones and there’s no insulation or heat in these concrete buildings so I am always in layers to keep warm, with several blankets on top of me just so I can get to sleep at night. I don’t like cold weather at all. Take care, Tammy
Yes, desert cold is very cold indeed – especially when you’re used to lots of warm, even hot weather. I’m liking cold less and less, but then again, I don’t like real hot weather either. Well to be more specific, I don’t handle humidity well!
Yesterday in Georgia, near Atlanta, we had 24 hours of thick fog. That may be normal in some locals but I don’t remember that ever happening here. Most Georgia winter days are in the 40’s or 50’s. My son moved to Chicago in August and I’m just astonished by the weather he is experiencing there. Minus 20 wind chill, Oh My!
24 hours of fog is a long time, Kaye! We get fog around here but never for that long. It’s something you’d expect on the coast, but not in Atlanta! We had the same kind of a wind chill your son was experiencing. Unbelievable, isn’t it?
Hi Claudia. Its the middle of summer here in Western Australia and very hot. 35c and upwards most days. We live near the beach so we look foward to the afternoon sea breezes. Im always fascinated by your extreme winters and they seem to last so long. Hope some sun shines for you soon. Cheers Julie. Ps. We get ticks from Kangaroos here in OZ. X j
Really? Ticks from Kangaroos? That’s so interesting! Do you get any disease from them, or just bites?
It sounds like you live in a lovely place, Julie!
Hi Claudia. We live in the south west of Western Australia in a small coastal town called Preston Beach. It is surrounded by a national park and a chain a salt lakes. Lots of wildlife especially snakes at this time of year and always lots of kangaroos. They love to eat my lawn and flowers! My husband and I have had quite a few ticks on us this year. Lymes disease is not recognised here in Australia officially but it does exist here and is very serious. Kangaroos can carry lots of ticks and they like moist warm weather here in Australia. I always love to read about the birds that visit your garden. Out garden is full of birds all year round. We are very lucky to have the Spendid Fairy Wren as a daily visitor. I hope you might get a chance to do a google image search so that you can see how beautiful they are. I visit your blog everyday and its one of the most down to earth blogs i follow. Love Julie from Western Australia
This is fascinating, Julie! I’m going to look up where you live on a map. And I’m going to google the Fairy Wren. I’m thinking you probably have a lot of exotic birds there.
Just googled it. What a gorgeous bird! And what a perfect name: The Splendid Fairy Wren. Couldn’t be better!
So glad you looked at the Fairy Wren Claudia. I love birds and to see them flashing blue in our garden is truly awesome. The birds here in WA arent really exotic. The exotic ones are more in the rainforrests in Queensland. Lots of bush birds in our garden like the kookaburra and Australian magpie but also gorgeous songbirds like the Golden Whistler and Scarlett Robin. We have lots of dangerous snakes here at this time of year so always on the lookout for unwanted visitors. Do you have snakes where you live ? Ps. We are having terrible bushfires here in Australia this summer. XxJulie ps. ps. Preston Beach is about one and a half hours drive south of Perth. Australia is so vast we always measure driving distance in hours! Its an Aussie thing!!
I live in the Northern part of Georgia. We have some cold and dreary winter days but not much snow or ice. Although when we do get it we completely shut down! I don’t think I could handle snow and ice all winter any longer. I did live in Massachusetts for many years when I was younger and loved it. Now I’m pretty happy here. Close to the Mountains and the Beach!
hugs,
Linda
Sounds sort of heavenly to me at the moment, Linda! Enjoy, my friend.
Been cold and colder here for days! No snow or ice. I have been inside the house since Dec 31!!! Hubby been to grocery shop once. just us, cat, dog and fire place insert trying to stay warm. So thankful for my electric blanket!
Stay warm and safe, Dottie! Cozy up in that electric blanket!
36F here right now at 11 AM and won’t get much warmer today. Bad weather could arrive during the night with some freezing rain! Ugh, just when I have a much-needed hair appt. tomorrow at noon – I may let the live-in chauffeur drive me as I don’t like icy road conditions!
I could never return to the northern states to live in the winter, however I would love a little place at the coast in Maine for the summer! I’d also love to live year round in San Diego but will never be able to afford that! Don’t really like Florida, too flat, so North Carolina will remain ‘home’ . It is a beautiful state and we do have a gorgeous coast and pretty mountains, also the winters are usually quite mild as is this one so far. The summers are very humid and, being English, I dislike being hot and sticky for a couple of months – so different from where I grew up. I truly believe one feels at ones very best living in a climate the same or similar to where one was born and raised!
Watch the ice Claudia – falls can be so dangerous.
Stay cozy – Mary
Well, this climate is like the one I was raised in and, at the moment, it’s losing its appeal! But I think you’re right, Mary. Don was raised in San Diego and he’s never truly adapted to this weather….
Hi Claudia,
We are 70 miles north of San Diego. We’ve lived here 39 years and it has only snowed once and then melted the next day. Last week we had 4 inches and it lasted 3 days. Obviously I’m not use to that kind of weather and slipped and fell when it turned to ice. I’m fine now but was hurting for a few days. My thoughts are I DO NOT LIKE SNOW!! If I had to deal with it all winter, I would become a hermit, with a well stocked refrigerator, and gain 50 pounds. What happens to the homeless in that terrible weather?! I love where we live…..summers are a little hot……..the rest of the year is beautiful. When we bought, our place was so far from a city the land was very cheap. If we had to buy today, we couldn’t afford to re buy nor could we afford property taxes. The city has moved in around us and land is VERY EXPENSIVE. I have no advice as to where to relocate. Just thankful we can enjoy retirement here.
Well, San Diego has expanded so far to the north! It’s much more densely populated than it was when I lived there about 14 years ago. In those days, rents were pretty reasonable but buying a home was out of the question. And it’s even worse now! You are so lucky, Patty, that you bought so many years ago and are safely ensconced in your little paradise!
As for the homeless, it’s a big problem. There are shelters that open up, and when the cold is particularly brutal, even more open, but some of the homeless shun shelters and it’s very worrisome.
Single digits here in Northern Michigan but SUNNY so I love it. The beach has turned to ice mountains with a few ice caves here and there. There is no wind today so the ice may be stable enough to walk on. When the waves are large, the ice is ever changing and so interesting to watch. Every time you glance out the window (notice, I am inside) the scenery is changing. You watch a great mound of ice form and then break off and disappear. This is our first winter here so I am always amazed. We bought a very small camper so we could travel but seems like we will be here for a bit.
Eileen
Now, that would be beautiful, Eileen. I would love to see the beach and the changing ice! Somehow, the snow and the ice are far more attractive when you live near a beach! I’m so happy for you and Woody. xoxo
I live on the east side of Washington state. Our weather is nothing like Seattle that has more balmy winter temperatures and rain. We’re considered high desert and have all four seasons. This year we have only had about 12 inches of snow so far but it has been cold. The snowfall from two weeks ago is still frozen on our road and I won’t take the dog for a walk because of fear of falling. We’ve had more freezing rain this year than I can ever remember having before. Today has dawned grey and cold yet again. I am so very ready for spring. Our spring, summer and fall seasons are the prettiest I’ve seen anywhere.
Blessings,
Betsy
Same here, Betsy. Lots of freezing rain, which is not a pleasant thing to deal with! Stay safe.
Love those beachy photos of you and Don. And, yes, same weather as you. I live right by Valley Forge Park. We had sleet and then rain yesterday. Our compost is frozen to the point where my husband can’t put anything in it. I ran out this a.m. to do a few errands…roads are fine, but parking lots have patches of ice that are not always visible due to the blinding sunlight (and I am NOT complaining about the sun…just sayin’). Tonight’s low is forecast in the teens, but it is supposed to get up into the 40’s by the weekend. And, we have noticed the days are slightly longer now…finally noticeable!! And, in spite of not liking the cold (especially the older I get), I was noticing today while out that I love the starkness of landscapes at this time of year. There is beauty in the coldness.
It can be beautiful, that’s for sure. Don and I were just saying that the other day. And I don’t mind the cold. It’s the ice!
Well, you know MY feelings on winter! Nov. was cold, and Dec. was warmer and NO SNOW, so I was quite happy about that. Then Jan. came and we have had horrific cold and some snow. But only about 5 or 6 inches of snow so far. I still hibernate in the -25 to -35 wind chill days as it seems I just can’t get warm. Then the humidity in the summer is stifling, too. But w/ AC it seems one can always be pretty comfortable, even if we have to stay inside for hours on end. I do have to say, that at least at this point in time, this winter is much better and more tolerable than last. But we know that can change at any moment. Lucky we have a warm house with a thermostat that can be changed when needed!!
It is quite another thing for the homeless. I know the police try to find those folks and convince them to seek shelter (which gets hard to find as the temps plummet) and many just won’t leave what they perceive as their “home”. That is another whole scary and tragic thing.
If nothing else, the weather does give us something to talk about in these few rather boring months of the year. If only Jan., Feb. and March would fly by as quickly as does June, July and Aug. !!
Yes, we have a roof over our heads and a furnace that works and keeps us warm – thank goodness the price of heating oil is down! Hate humidity. Don’t mind the cold – but the ice is a deal breaker for me!
Here in Central Florida we had some really cool weather for several days last week. Then it warmed up. Yesterday afternoon it rained so hard our yard looked like a river for a few hours. Its beautiful here today though 72 degrees and I’m loving it. I find that as the years pass the cold weather feels colder to me and I don’t love it so much anymore. It’s one of those sort of golden days when I’m really glad we live here. That’s when I’m home, of course, because the traffic in our area scares me every time we get on the road. Our little area is just too congested anymore. Once Disney moved in so close to us our small town feel went away almost over night. I so long for those calm, quiet days of small town life.
I bet you do, Janie. Disney is a monolith and for those who were used to a quieter, small town feel, it must be very unsettling.
You know, the cold weather doesn’t bother me because I was born and raised in Michigan, but the things that come with it do!
I live in SE Minnesota, and it is -13 at 10;30 a.m. I try and look at it this way: Cold weather gives you a really good opportunity to snuggle with your honey (except during a hot flash :) . I think that there are down-sides to living anywhere. I am not a huge fan of winter weather, but my husband was born & raised here, both of our married children live in the area – we will live here forever, I’m sure. Family definitely trumps cold weather!
I well remember the hot flash difficulties! I do like the cold and I like the change of seasons. I’m a midwestern girl who spent most of her life either in Michigan or in the Northeast, so the cold is okay. Mountains of snow and ice are not!
I certainly don’t envy you the ice and cold. I’ve lived in WA State, Arkansas, MS and now South Texas. I know what it’s like to deal with the snow, ice, freezing rain and days having to stay in. I never seemed to mind it too much and I’ve always loved the snow. But I know that you’re dealing with a different kind of beast with your weather on the East coast. My son lives in northern PA and absolutely hates it.
But on another note the weather here in TX is pretty awful IMO. Today it’s 36, cloudy and expecting rain. Not supposed to get much higher than about 42. That may seem like a heat wave to many people but when you add in the humidity it is much colder than the temps. Also here the Summer is so horrible with three to four months of temps well over 100 so when we get these temps we are having now it’s just a horrid cold to us here. And we are on about four weeks of these temps along with freezing rain.
I know there are weather issues no matter where you live. In AR we had the four seasons which was just lovely but tornadoes and storms were terrifying. And they seem to be getting worse since we’ve left. Here in South TX there’s really only one season and that seems to be Summer. Sometimes we may get a short Spring or Fall or Winter but there certainly are not four seasons.
I miss that so much. Plans are to move back to the West coast in a few years. WA or OR. And I absolutely cannot wait. I hope you guys see some melting of the ice soon. Stay warm. Drinks lots of hot chocolate, curl up under a blanket with a good book and your Scout. I bet that will help you forget the awful weather :)
Blessings.
Belinda
Today was about chopping ice, salting, and taking down the Christmas tree. I’m exhausted! But yes, there are weather issues everywhere. If I had to live in a humid climate, I would be very unhappy as humidity and I do not play well together!
We live in Escondido, CA, 35 miles northeast of San Diego. It is suppose to be in the high 70’s
the rest of the week, with no rain. We need rain and clouds. Not sun 360 days a year.
I know Escondido well, Mary. It’s lovely there. But yes, you all need rain! Especially at this time of year, which was the rainy season when I lived there!
We’ve finally gotten some rain in Southern California, but it is sunny this morning and is supposed to get into the mid 70s for a few days. I would really miss our weather if I moved. And I’m so used to the traffic, that’s really not a big factor any more.
I love it there, but the truth is, I was yearning for the 4 seasons again when we moved East. But I’d like to make it 3 seasons….
Sunshine in Seattle – a rare event in January so I’m doing the happy dance!
ellen
Enjoy your sunshine, Ellen!
Just remember…no matter the weather…you are still that happy couple…just in a different location! The weather here has been frigid! Not much snow either, which is unusual. It is supposed yo warm up later this week! In a perfect world…we would head south for two months…maybe rent a place…or two…and travel. But, it is not a perfect world! I really don’t want to move from Wisconsin, just go someplace else for a short while. We were going to visit my cousin in Arizona…they go there every year for four months…but on the way down, they slid on an icy patch and totaled their fifth wheel, and half of their truck. They are fine! Maybe we could go somewhere else, we’ll see. It’s ironic that you finally got your snowblower, and now you have no snow…must be Mother Nature’s sadistic side coming out! Enjoy your day in spite of it all! ;)
Exactly. That’s what we would do. We’d have someone keep an eye on the house, take off for a warmer clime, and head back home in the Spring. Ah well….
Glad your cousin is okay!
I’ve got to find the time today to read all these wonderful comments! The one I read is about Australia. I absolutely love Australia and Australians. I was there once and thought it was wonderful. I live near Seattle so we either deal with rain or fog. If we have fog, it isn’t raining, but we still don’t see the sun. Until about an hour before it sets. But it’s home and I like it. It drives lots of people batty. I loved the picture of you and Don on the beach.
I think it might drive me batty because I find I need the sun. I probably have a bit of SAD. Today, ironically, is beastly cold but very sunny!
I’d love to go to Australia someday!
In Kansas City it’s 16 degrees and sunny. However, by the weekend, the high will be 50 degrees !!!! YAY
Of course the plumber will FINALLY be installing our gas logs on Thursday. We’ve been waiting since mid-December to have this done but others with burst pipes always come first.
Vanessa
Ah well. At least they’re going to be installed! I don’t think we’re going to hit 50 but it should be in the low thirties by Friday, which to us, is a heatwave!
We’re in Galveston where it is 45 degrees and drizzly and has been like this for several days now. I’m from Connecticut and despite having lived here for several thousand years still miss all the seasons and will happily accept anything resembling winter. The summers here, the only clearly defined season, are horrific.
I bet! Very humid, I’m sure. Do you ever get anything resembling winter there?
This is about it for winter. Last week, when a freeze was a possibility, the paper asked people to send in their stories and photos! It does freeze occasionally, snows even less often and when it does people go mad with excitement. Galveston is the winter home of many Midwestern snowbirds.
I can see why, Margaret. I’ve never been there and I hope to remedy that someday.
Very cold here also, with some snow but as you said, nothing like what we had this time last year. Strictly OK with me. We haven’t had the rain and ice mess you’ve had though, Does not sound like fun. I loved snow as a child but the older I get, the more I understand the whole “snowbird” mentality. Although I don’t think I’d ever want to live in a warm climate year-round, I could handle hauling my behind to my own cozy little cottage in Bermuda after Thanksgiving each year, coming back just before crocus season starts in March, Enjoy your day!
Oh, me too! I’d love to journey to someplace warmer, even tropical, until Spring. Dreaming.
Hello from north Florida, we are in the sixties today but gray and overcast! Its interesting to see where all your readers live! Stay warm, Jen
I know, it is! I love hearing from everyone! Enjoy the sixties, Jen.
As I am reading your post Claudia, I am sitting in my office/closet room looking out of the window at the snow on the ground on this very cold Canadian day. Being Canadian I have never know anything but this kind of cold winter. Although I do love the four seasons, as I get older I long for the sun. Is there anyplace that is perfect though? With the constant sun you get rain, storms, unpredictable weather, or so it seems the past few years.
I just let the 3 dogs out for a quick run, which they did reluctantly, and I told them ” It’s okay guys, Spring is around the corner”.
So here is my little bit of wisdom for today. “It’s okay Claudia, Spring is around the corner”.
Drink some hot chocolate and keep warm.
hugs
Sue
No place is perfect. We lived in San Diego, and we missed the seasons. And everyone thinks San Diego is perfect. But nowadays, the perfect weather of San Diego has more extremes than it used to – higher temperatures, more humidity.
And thank you for “Spring is around the corner.” xo
I got a chuckle reading your post this morning … that’s why we left Boston. The winter weather was a real downer; the last winter we were there we had 108″ of snow in the city!! Not fun, it’s called shovel, shovel, shovel, and then repeat.
Now we’re in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where we melt in the summer at 110 but enjoy most of the winter with mild temps … we’ve been in the high 60’s to low 70’s for the past week and, of course, it’s sunny almost all the time.
And you know what? Hot chocolate tastes just as yummy at 50-60 degrees as it does at 50 below (I grew up in Vermont and have been there).
Snuggle in and keep warm …
I don’t know if I could handle Arizona, Ann! But Don sure could. Every once in a while, he talks about moving there….
Enjoy your day in Lake Havasu City!
I just love the photos of you both on the beach.
I think cold is relative. I live in northern Alberta, Canada where we have just come out of a whole week of minus 40 degrees Celsius and blowing snow. We don’t have spring or fall where I live, just eight months of winter and then construction.
I went to Florida a few years ago and there were frost warnings in effect, so people were walking about in jackets. We of course were strolling about in our shorts, revelling in the above-freezing temperatures. “You’re not from here, are you?” is something I hear I lot.
It’s definitely relative. When we moved to San Diego, I thought everyone there was rather wimpish when they complained about cold winter nights, which to me seemed positively balmy. But then your body adapts to the temperatures and you find yourself saying the same thing! My sister, born and raised in Michigan, has lived in Florida for many years now and the adjustment to another climate is tough for her.
Frigid and snowy here in northern IL, too. It has been in the teens the past few days, which is actually a warm-up for us as temps had been below zero – single digits all month. Going down to -3 again tonight. I’m watching big, fat, fluffy snowflakes dance around in the air outside my window right now. As much as I hate winter, I have to admit – when the snow is like this, it looks absolutely beautiful and peaceful.
Big, fat fluffy snowflakes are one of my favorite things about winter, but I think I’ve only seen them once so far this year!
Oh Claudia! We have had the most lovely day. Sunny and warmish. I went for a walk, collected pine cones and filled the wood box. I’m anticipating snow (probabely tomorrow) and freezing temperatures. But today was wonderful. Stay warm, drink hot chocolate and dream of sunshine and beaches. And last but not least, wear red underwear! Regula
Great advice, Regula! I’m glad you’re having a gorgeous day there. Enjoy, my friend.
Oh Claudia!
Welcome to my world! For years I’ve watched and heard news reports showing Texans skidding on the ice, not being able to drive, and people ELSEWHERE in the U.S. wondering why we can’t drive to work. Why we shut the doors and no one goes to work… This is why! YOU CAN’T DRIVE ON THAT STUFF?
My brother drives from the country, over an hour to work and he makes pretty good money. But he stipulates to his employer, I WILL NOT DRIVE TO WORK IN THAT MESS. EVER! Why? because they don’t pay him enough to cover the cost of deductible, plus towing, or WORSE!
That is what we get here… hardly ever snow. And if if does snow, it melts so fast, and then freeze by the after noon commute– it’s best to stay home and not get out. I pray for those First Responders that have to get out in it to RESCUE…
I always tell people… its the Northern Transplants that you see on your TV screen, trying to drive to their job in Dallas. They just don’t know better! ;)
The weather here is overcast and blustery… we had rain over the weekend, and it makes the bones achy. We keep the wood stove fired up– but it costs for all those cords of wood now. The Honey isn’t up to cutting our own wood anymore. Another reason to move I suppose– cost of heating and cooling our TOO BIG FOR US HOME. :/
I love those pictures of you and Don — from another time and place. That one on the beach…
Oh! it looks like one that would come in a brand spanking new frame! I used to look at those in the store and wonder– do those two really love each other? (in the frame)
I know you and DON truly do! Glad he is home this winter… to keep you warm. :)
Good for your brother! I think I would stipulate the same thing – I find I get more and more nervous as I get older about driving in this weather. I used to be rather fearless about it!
When we lived in San Diego, I was always astounded by how many people just did not know how to drive in the rain! Same thing with snow, I guess. I do know how to drive in it, as does everyone around here. We’d just rather not have to!
Well I have driven in the snow- though not fun , I’d take it over ice any day!
I agree with an earlier comment — some people don’t even know how to drive in the rain.
Oh, yes! Snow over ice, no question. Ice? I stay home. Period!
I am sitting under a palm tree complaining because it has been too hot this winter. Usually I turn off the air from November to May but this year we had to leave it on. Anyway, not really complaining. It is beautiful
I read your blog every day. Sometimes it is like you are reading my mind. I love that you have accepted being yourself and liking what you like with no apologies.
Oh, thank you dear Kay! I’m glad it’s warm down there where you are as I know you well remember the winters of Michigan and Maine. Much love.
Cold and icey here in PA. Sun is out…glorious winter day. Donkey and sheep are out. Pony would not leave her stall….
I would live anywhere in the US but on the East coast, except for Florida….you were smart moving back!
That comment should have read I would ONLY live on the east coast…but NOT in Florida!
I know…Florida has no appeal to me, even though my sister and dad live there. North Carolina sounds nice, but then there are the hurricanes….it’s always something!
75 and partly cloudy! It is 15 and feels like 10 in Port Austin, MI where you moved from in May of last year. We wonder why we didn’t move south sooner. We’ve been out working in the yard every weekend and love going out the door in shorts and sandals every day.
I use to get so depressed every winter, the cold, snow and lack of sunshine just went on for way too long. I thought I might miss the snow but I don’t at all. I love being out in the yard planting flowers and working on the planting beds.
On the down side it is very hot here in southern Florida in the summer but it is perfect for floating in the pool and having lunch at little places along the Indian River.
I hope your cold snap ends soon I know how challenging that makes everything.
Take care, Kathleen
If I could work on my garden all year long, I’d be a happy camper. But then again, maybe I appreciate it all the more because I can’t? Not sure about that one!
I have to fight depression in the winter, Kathleen. Today, though bitterly cold, is sunny and that helps. But winters do seem endless here. Enjoy your new life in Florida!
I’m just at the other end of New York State from you. We’ve had snow in the last 2 days. Pretty much a normal winter so far, a little light on the snow but we know what February and March are known for! I always wondered why we had to be born here but I suppose it’s because our parents lived here. ;) (And they were born here too.) I lived 2 years in Dallas TX. Winter was better, but summer was not. Yikes!
Summer in Dallas? No and no! And yes, Laura, I’m trying to be careful how much I complain because I know February and March can be very tough indeed!
Dear sweet friend,
It is 35 degrees and cloudy. I would like to send you sunshine,but it has been days since we have seen the sun. Have a happy day from middle TN!
I sure hope you see some sunshine soon, Carol! We are seeing a lot of sunshine today which helps make a very cold day a lot brighter.
Everywhere has it’s pluses and minuses. I grew up in northern central PA. It is a beautiful part of the world, but it also has the longest February possible. By then I was getting tired of winter and it seemed like all it did then was be gloomy and icy. blah. I love being outside in cold, snowy weather, but not just cold and icy. So now I live along the central coast of CA, between Monterey and the Silicon Valley. Our weather has been perfect, if way too dry. I grow grapes and have to try to convince them that it is not spring and to not bud out yet. sigh. I am seriously concerned about the future with so little water. See what I mean about pluses and minuses. But no matter where you live, Claudia, you have Don at your side. That is a definite plus! Hugs to both of you and pets to Scout.
You live in a lovely, lovely place, Teresa, but there you are, concerned about drought as is everyone in that state. No where is perfect, is it? I pray you all get lots of rain soon!
It’s awfully cold up here in Canada too right now. I love winter as seen through the window as I’m sitting in my cosy house with my hands wrapped around a warm mug. I just hating going out in it like I had to today, sigh. J
Going out in it, especially if its snowy and icy, is not fun at all! Stay warm, Julie!
I live just outside Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and it sounds like you are not that far from us since we seem to share weather conditions. Our big dog, Mysti, complicated her hip problem by slipping on the ice and is now hopping on 3 legs. She weighs 85 lbs so no easy matter to get her to the vet. We are trying to keep her as inactive as possible in hopes the leg will heal. She doesn’t appear to be in pain at all. I have not been following your blog long but enjoy it and admire your ability to post daily! I have been blogging for less than a year and am still very much a novice at it. You are an inspiration!
Thank you, Susan! I worry about our elderly girl, Scout, in this weather too. We just salted her corral area because I saw her slipping on the ice this morning. Very hard on our babies, isn’t it?
It’s 32 in the northern panhandle of West Virginia Tuesday evening. Expecting just a brush of yuck tomorrow morning. Miss Bella is helping her dad work on an outside project; ball in her mouth. Hubby in sweatshirt–tough wv stock! Spring is really just around the corner. Tempis fugits!
Do you promise? Just around the corner? xo
Hi, Claudia. Doing 40 ° C here in Rio de Janeiro. Wind chill of about 45 ° C. It is tough. Only Jesus in the cause! lol.
Hot, I think, Milca! 104 degrees farenheit? Wow!
They’re calling for possible ice by morning here in Virginia. But I don’t think it’ll happen because I just left the grocery store and there was still tons of milk for sale. You’ve heard about southerners when it’s supposed to snow or ice, right – we clean out the grocery stores of milk. lol crazy southerners we are!
Mary
If the milk is still there, hopefully no ice, Mary!
We didn’t get the sleet, just a whole lot of rain yesterday. I’m on Long Island and my poor son keep anxiously waiting for the fluffy stuff to fall so that he can go tubing!
Have an awesome day Claudia! Blessings, Joanne
Rain isn’t fun, but if it wasn’t freezing, that’s great! Take care, Joanne!
Here in Cleveland, Ohio it is currently 14 degrees. The sun was out today and made a wet slushy mess everywhere. We have had snow for days. Tomorrow’s high is supposed to be 18. I just booked a flight for California and we can’t wait to get away from here if only for a little while. The older we get the less we can stand this crappy weather. I think a year will come when we will decide we can’t stand another winter here even though we’ve lived here all our lives. I’m thinking Texas maybe?
We are no longer charmed by winters, which seem to be getting worse!
Have a great time in California!
IT has been the same here .Just so cold and dreary with not enough fluffy white snow. Guess we will all hang in there together and dream of Spring.
I’m dreaming, Sharron. I’m dreaming.
I’m definitely chiming in late here, but have enjoyed reading what it’s like where everyone else is. I’m a couple hours north of Portland, Oregon and we’ve been right at 50° the past few days … with rain. Actually I don’t mind the rain, I’ve always lived here, don’t even think about it all that much, LOL.
50 degrees sounds like a heat wave to me, Debbie! It’s been fun reading about the weather in different parts of the world.
It’s cold here and we got some snow. Last Saturday we had a bit of a snow shower and the power went off for three hours! The snow came again yesterday afternoon. Not a lot but it froze on top making it very slippery and dangerous. We came across a poor motorist this morning (about 6:30) who had skidded off the road into a fence. Thankfully he was alright but the same can’t be said for his car or the fence.
I’m glad he was okay! That must have been very frightening. It can be so dangerous driving in this weather.
It’s cloudy and gloomy and gray, but dotted with festively bright cardinals that really cheer me up!
Thank goodness for cardinals! I haven’t seen ours lately, but I know they’re out there.
Good Morning Claudia!
It is below zero here in Northern Indianan. I wonder why I live here every winter and then Spring and Summer roll around and remind me. The comment you made about looking “skinnier” in the photo made me laugh. Why is that “always” the first thing we look for in photos of ourselves? Have a happy day!
I was so much skinnier! And my hair was brown. What can I say? That’s the first thing I see!
Claudia you always make me smile.
Thank you, Sue!
Sigh…I would love to be sitting under a palm tree by the ocean.
But…here I sit, in my kitchen looking out the big window into the back yard. It is in the 30’s today, and for a while, we had a bit of snow falling…it did not ‘stick’…teasing us instead. I am longing already (and if I were to be really honest, I began longing for warm weather even before cold weather began!) for Spring and warm temperatures.
My bulbs are already beginning to peek up from their soil beds outside – Hyacinths in the ground and Tulips from in their pots – in the house, my pot of Narcissus (Paper-whites) are up about 2 inches. All of these signs bring delight and make me sing!
I come from South Texas, raised in Corpus Christi, Texas (City by the Sea) and I so very much miss the ocean…I think I have salt water in my veins…for sure in my soul. :)
Scout – Dexter and Toby were quite taken with your last photos…I think they have a crush on you – :) :)
Hugs to you Claudia on this ‘Hump Day’.
Laura
I must say I miss the ocean, too. Don really misses it. I, too, have begun longing for spring, Laura.