The official reading is -3F

That's about -19C. The suction thermometer attached to my living room window reads a balmy 3F (only -16C), but the old device attached to a nearby tree reads -4F.

A nice, round -20C.

My office is about 63F, thanks to old windows that no longer close as tightly as they should. I know I should get them replaced for the sake of energy conservation, but it is fresh air that's leaking in and I have read stories about how polluted the air in well-sealed homes can get. Besides, at this point, 63F feels downright toasty.

Of course I didn't do all the things I wanted to do yesterday evening, so of course I have to go out. Needed to get stuff out to the curb for a charitable drive pick-up (and I bet those guys are listening to the weather reports and wondering "Why today?") King came outside with me, of course, because that's what he does and also because he thought we were going for walkies. Unfortunately, even though I tried to block him with bags of clothes, he still squirted past me and through the gate to !!Freedom!! Dashed around, doing what dogs do, then hied off to the neighbor's yard. They have a spaniel, so there was a lot for him to sniff. But he kept his eye on me as I dropped the bags at the curb and walked back up the drive. Imagine my surprise as I stood at the gate and witnessed the happy wanderer cut short his wanderings and COME BACK. I'm not kidding myself. If it weren't so damned cold, he'd still be running. I made sure he remained inside when I toted the old microwave oven out to the curb. I could've carted the clothes outside last night and left them out, I think, but not the oven. Not sure that old electronics could handle the cold for that long. For all I know, a couple of hours might be too long, but I hope not.

Anyway. Still need to grocery shop. Still need to fill the woodboxes. Should be a good day for writing. Baking will be committed as well--I found a recipe for Pioneer Bread, a quick bread containing dates and raisins. I'll be substituting dried apricots, though, and maybe some nuts. Bet it will taste good with cream cheese.

In other news, they're predicting snow for Monday, anywhere from 2-6 inches. And it's going to remain pretty cold--nights below zero and daytime temps in the teens and 20s. Yea.

The official reading is -3F

That's about -19C. The suction thermometer attached to my living room window reads a balmy 3F (only -16C), but the old device attached to a nearby tree reads -4F.

A nice, round -20C.

My office is about 63F, thanks to old windows that no longer close as tightly as they should. I know I should get them replaced for the sake of energy conservation, but it is fresh air that's leaking in and I have read stories about how polluted the air in well-sealed homes can get. Besides, at this point, 63F feels downright toasty.

Of course I didn't do all the things I wanted to do yesterday evening, so of course I have to go out. Needed to get stuff out to the curb for a charitable drive pick-up (and I bet those guys are listening to the weather reports and wondering "Why today?") King came outside with me, of course, because that's what he does and also because he thought we were going for walkies. Unfortunately, even though I tried to block him with bags of clothes, he still squirted past me and through the gate to !!Freedom!! Dashed around, doing what dogs do, then hied off to the neighbor's yard. They have a spaniel, so there was a lot for him to sniff. But he kept his eye on me as I dropped the bags at the curb and walked back up the drive. Imagine my surprise as I stood at the gate and witnessed the happy wanderer cut short his wanderings and COME BACK. I'm not kidding myself. If it weren't so damned cold, he'd still be running. I made sure he remained inside when I toted the old microwave oven out to the curb. I could've carted the clothes outside last night and left them out, I think, but not the oven. Not sure that old electronics could handle the cold for that long. For all I know, a couple of hours might be too long, but I hope not.

Anyway. Still need to grocery shop. Still need to fill the woodboxes. Should be a good day for writing. Baking will be committed as well--I found a recipe for Pioneer Bread, a quick bread containing dates and raisins. I'll be substituting dried apricots, though, and maybe some nuts. Bet it will taste good with cream cheese.

In other news, they're predicting snow for Monday, anywhere from 2-6 inches. And it's going to remain pretty cold--nights below zero and daytime temps in the teens and 20s. Yea.