January Moon

I looked out the window at 3am this morning and saw a clear sky illuminated by a sliver bright of moon.

The cold light it cast across the frozen, still snow covered landscape sent a chill through me, magnified, I'm sure, by the coolness of the house that we allow to cool to about 62 degrees during the night.

A bright star winked at me, and I sighed back at it.

There were so many other, warm, places I thought of where I could be standing and looking at this same star.

I was thirsty though and needed a drink and staring out the window into a portion of the world I had no intention of visiting at this hour made no sense to me.

So I turned away from the window and back into the house going about my business and trying to get back to bed before my spot cooled and I was too awake.

Probably a lost cause.

Makayla lifted her head to see what was up and whether she needed to move because she surely didn't want too--it was the middle of the night and the pack that is our family was supposed to be sleeping.

I slipped back under the covers and heard the cuckoo clock bong.  It isn't on time I surmised.

And as my head hit the pillow, I realized that I was fully awake and should probably just get up because sleep was going to be a struggle.

But it was cold and I was warming.

So I just laid there in the warmth of the bed and eventually drifted off to sleep, coming awake later shortly after the sun had risen and congratulated myself for a good decision on not getting up and allowing the moon to slide down over the horizon.

Snow--The Aftermath

The aftermath of the snowstorm which dumped about 8 inches of snow on us in five hours is incredible.  There are countless trees and branches down. Powerlines are still down--in fact they had the intersection of US 1 and MD100 closed last evening for a downed powerline.

The snow was heavy and fierce. The region is still discussing the 1000 (yes that is one thousand) car back up on one of the major arteries in the region which occurred because people over extended themselves and their vehicles--it was reported that some were driving their cars using summer tires--no wonder they couldn't move.

Some of the stories are in the Baltimore Sun article about drivers retrieving their abandoned cars--Suffice it to write--the situation here was pretty grim as so many people were unprepared for the rapidly worsening weather situation.

I can report, however, that our family made the best of the situation, and in some cases the loss of electricity, and we all made it through the storm in a testament to creativity and perseverance.

Hopefully this is the first and last "big one" of the season.

And if you were wondering, there are about 51 days until Spring. And the worthless weather forecaster--the rodent of Punxsutawney makes his annual prediction on Wednesday!  Stand by for that one.

Snow Painted on the Trees

January 27, 2011 - The Back Yard

I am amazed at how snow so radically changes the way things appear. Aside from changing the dreary landscape to pure white, it adheres to the tree trunks like a white paint.

For a while the trees appear as if they have been highlighted by the painter's brush.

I guess, in reality, they have!

Snow and Dogs

Makayla during Snowpocalypse 2010

Yesterday, as I was wrestling with the just over two inches of snow in the driveway before going to work, I discovered an amusing thing: Makayla loves snow.

She runs around in the snow like a pup just enjoying the clean--probably scent free, whiteness.

I really think she enjoys the feel of the snow between her toes and the way is collects on her coat.

I remember that during the snowpocalypse of last February that she likes the snow--but it was so deep she really couldn't run around it in. This is one of my favorite picture of her in the snow last year. I use it as a wall paper on my computer and iPhone.

Makayla in the Snow

It made me smile to see her bounding through the snow just enjoying herself.

I wish I could enjoy the snow the same way.

But--shoveling it, driving in it, and watching it fall wishing I was already in St Lucia on vacation (scheduled for July) certainly does not help me to appreciate the wet white stuff the way she does.

But--then again, her enthusiasm did help me to appreciate it--just a bit. Shhhh--don't tell Chris.

2 inches an Hour

Snow--it is falling at the rate of 2 inches per hour with 10 inches expected before midnight.

Help.

I think the beginning of Snowpocaplyse 2011 is under way.

The roads are pretty well shut, the snow, on top of the two inches we had this morning is already about 6 inches deep.

And we are experiencing thunder snow--lightening and thunder amidst the heavy snow.

We need to have a party.

Spring Training 2011 -- And so it Begins Anew

With the football season effectively over (I mean, who really cares who wins the Super Bowl anyway?), my mind has begun to churn on my favorite sport--Baseball.

I am in the midst of planning a mid-March trip to Sarasota to see the O's play baseball during Spring training. Additionally, this weekend is the O's fan fest--which I also plan to attend to shake off the cold of the winter and let my mind bask in the glow of the "Boys of Summer."

Getting away to the warm south will be awesome during March. I can almost feel the intense southern sun heating the skin on my back as I doze listlessly by the hotel pool waiting for game time.

Bring another beer from the bar while you're there, please?

The cost for this enjoyment--I have to sponsor Chris to San Antonio in June--not a difficult decision at all.

So with Fan Fest this weekend and the trip to Sarasota less than two months away, I think I can face the worst winter has to offer because I know that before too long--the flowers will be up, the grass will be green and the umpire is going to be calling out: 'Play Ball!"

More About the Cold

There are so many cold jokes out there--I found a few that I thought were funny:

The local petstore is selling cats, dogs, and penguins.

It was so cold that the fog froze and we had to tunnel our way to work.

We are just not used to the cold here--and I am reminded that the high temperature in Key West is expected to be 73 degrees. So I'm wondering why I'm not there.

I would love to take Makayla for a walk--but it is so cold I start to freeze over before I get to the end of the driveway.

Fortunately there is snow on the way--I say fortunately because it is too cold to snow right now so I know it will warm up a bit.

So stay warm, break out the shovels and dream of warmer times. Spring is only 54 days away!

Monday Musings - January 24, 2011

1. Well--it's the Packers vs the Steelers in the Super Bowl. This should be a high scoring affair in two weeks. The early line has the Packers over by Steelers by 2.5 points. After watching both games, I'm thinking Steelers 34-31 over Packers.  But, that's just me.

2. We found new cold overnight--it was 7 degrees this morning.

3. I find it interesting that the NHL All-Star game is on the same day as the NFL Pro-Bowl game.

4. Traveling in America today is an ever changing event. I was amused that the newer the equipment, the more invasive the techniques. I experienced the whole body scan during my most recent trip. Unlike previous screening--I had to take my wallet out of my pocket.  I didn't know this and was duly chastised by a friendly TSA employee.  Do I feel safer? No, not really.

5. It is so cold outside that my shadow froze to the sidewalk.

6. This is one of those days that I wish I could just stay home and curl up next to the fire reading a book all day.

7. Well--I wonder what my electric bill will look like next month.

8. Stay warm and be happy.

Grandson Saturday Night

Playing in the Play Tunnel

We had all three grandsons yesterday for a few hours to allow their parents some time off for good behavior.

We had them all, together at the same time--alone, unarmed and unafraid.  The key was to find ways to keep them happy, busy, and occupied.

The activities ranged from playing in the newly purchased play tunnel, to coloring, movie watching, and of course food including smores in the fireplace.

Walking the Dog

There was a bit of craziness--and a lot of fun.

It was amazing how well they all got along.

Even more amazing--the house, dog, and cats survived.

Coloring on the Floor

Let's Be Goofy

A Jax-o-gator

The three of them played extremely well together and we had a lot of fun interacting.

Think of it--grand parents on the floor playing with the grandsons. It was a sight to behold.

The food even worked out pretty well--better than expected.

The evening closed with a movie, helping the boys come down from the exciting activities of the previous couple of hours.

I suppose had the temperature outside been  warmer (it was on 13 degrees) we could have spent some time outside playing.  Maybe later in the year as this is supposed to be a monthly event.

Cold, Colder. Coldest

I got the electric bill in the mail yesterday to greet me as I returned home from Denver.

Keep the Home Fires Burning

It confirmed my suspicion--The last month has been cold.  My bill more than doubled over the month before. Ouch!  We do not have gas heat--so everything is on that bill. Lights, heat, and Christmas.

The temperature as I sit here this morning is a balmy 15 degrees. The wind chill is 7 degrees.

I know it is colder elsewhere--but understand something. The all time coldest temperature recorded in Baltimore is minus 7--and we are only 22 degrees warmer than that.

My heat pumps don't work well under about 25 degrees.

There is already a fire in the fireplace and I'm hunkering down for the day.  Of course--the four letter word that I despise the most is also hanging out there-- S-H-O-P.  I'm going to try to negotiate not going out until the temperature is over 30 degrees.

That is probably a losing position.

Maybe I can declare it a movie day in front of the blu-ray player. 

Stay warm.