From the Weather Book

December 21
Clear and cold.
 
December 24, 25
Snow, warmer temperatures.

December 28

December 31
Lots of snow!

January 1
-20

January 4

January 6, 7, 8
Major snowstorm with blizzard conditions.

 

 

January 9

 
January 11
Rain.  Melting everywhere.

January 13

January 16

January 20, 21, 22
Cold! -28, -30, -30

January 24
Cold, blowing snow.

January 25
 Snow!  Another day spent digging out.

January 26
-32 upon waking.
-25 and snowing.

January 28

January 29
Another load of snow.

Afire

“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames”. ― Rumi

I came across this quote a few weeks back, and it has stuck with me.  I find myself thinking about what it means to me.  I'm not sure if I'm living this way, but I do know one thing - living here helps.

 

It helps because I can wake up, throw back the curtains and witness this:

This picture doesn't do the morning justice.  The clouds loomed over me and they filled every corner of my vision.  I stepped outside and felt enveloped. It was truly overpowering. 

 

Being surrounded by such awe inspiring beauty inspires me to do more and be more.

A Bad Winter?

I'm not sure what everyone is complaining about.  Is this a bad winter?  I suppose it depends on your point of view. Winter is just doing Winter's job.  Winter is working very hard this year.

 

 

 

Record -breaking snowfall?  Check.

 

Record-breaking cold temperatures?  Check.

 

Days upon days where families with very young children are stuck inside?  Check.

 

Multiple school bus cancellations?  Check.

 

Snowfall even when it's ridiculously cold?  Check.

 

Constant snow squall warnings?  Check.

 

 

 

You see, this Winter gets an A+.  It just won't quit.  It barely took a break for the January thaw.  You can't knock this Winter.  It's working overtime.

 

 

 

Let's just hope Spring and Summer have caught some of Winter's work ethic.

Winter Morning Skies

Every sunrise is different and every one is revered; be it a fiery show, or a subtle shift in tones, I love them all.

 

 

Snow Days

It is never ending.  At an intersection not too far from here, the banks are pushed higher than the stop sign.  I'm so thankful I get to snuggle up and hibernate.

Old Fashioned Winter

In case you hadn't heard, it's snowing.  And it's mighty cold.

 

It's snowing much that my husband is spending the better part of many days just plowing and snow-blowing.  I do love it all, but I don't love the work it creates, and if I wasn't on maternity leave this year (meaning, I don't have to go anywhere if I don't feel like it), I'd be cursing it.

 

 

Many people are calling it an old-fashioned winter, and while I don't really agree with that statement, it has been a very different year.  It has been incredibly cold and we have received an unbelievable amount of snow.  Those two things generally don't go hand in hand. 

I wonder what the remainder of winter will bring.  Every time I think it can't possibly snow more, or get any colder, it does.  I hope you are able to snuggle up warm and safe out of the blustery days.

From the Weather Book

January 19
- mild, snow

January 22
 - -30C

January 23
- -32C

January 28
- milder
- big, fat flakes of snow for most of the day

January 29
- mild, rain

February 2
- Groundhog did not see his shadow (early spring?)
- COLD

February 3
- cold!
- sunny morning

Ghost Day

Today was a ghost of a day. 

 

 

 

The rain was heavy and the fog thick.  These kind of layers always make me feel disconnected from the land.  Like I am floating in an in-between space. 

 

While walking there is a great unnatural stillness.  Driving, you move into nothingness, just a small stretch of road visible before you.

 

Landmarks are unknown and unfamiliar.

 

It's hard to feel centered on this earth when the spaces you know so well are transformed. Maneuvering on a deeply foggy day is quite like moving through uncertain times in your life.

 

Sometimes we move through our own lives like ghosts, fear or apprehension of the unknown creates a layer between us and our reality.  It can become hard to see your way.

 

Just as with walking through the fog, you just keep going and keep faith that soon you`ll glimpse something recognizable, solid and sure, and all will become clear.

Thaw

Another January thaw is on the way.  After a stint of frigid temperatures, it has warmed up and will continue to do so for the next few days.  We are expecting rain, rain and more rain.

I think it's good.  A respite from the cold is always nice, but it's also helpful in terms of getting the roads cleared.  With the freezing rain and snow of two weekends ago, and then the deep freeze, the roads have been perpetually icy every since.

Trying

I'm trying to like winter.  I really, really am.

 

 

 

And I do.  I love it when I get to stay home and only go outside when I choose.  I like it when the flakes fall softly down, and there are skaters silently gliding on the lake.  I love the snow covered tree branches.

 

Last year, I was a winter-lover, but this year, having to drive so much more, and having to go outside when I don't want to, well, I am seeing the bad side of winter.  The slush and ice covered roads.  The frigid temperatures.  I'm longing for spring, but trying to live in the moment and take in the beauty that surrounds me.  I'm going too fast these days, though, and am finding it difficult.

 

 

Through the Clouds

Cold

Beams creak and ice booms. 

 

It's cold. 

 

The temperature is forecasted to reach -32C tonight.  Sunny skies today and a clear sky tonight mean there is literally nothing to keep any sort of warmth close to the earth's surface.

 

 

 

Now, I know that for some of my readers, this is positively balmy.  That's fine.  This cold will more than suffice.

From the Weather Book

January 7
- cold (-25C)

January 8
- very mild (2C)

January 9
- Mild - JANUARY THAW!
- rain, wild, windy stormy night

January 10
- warm, rain

January 12
- warm, rain, run

January 13
- rain, mist, mild, grey

January 16
- -20C

January 17
- -22C

January 18
- -24C
- snowy afternoon and evening

January 19
- 0C
- mild, snow

Ice, Snow

Winter weather has returned once again. 

We had quite a few days that were well above seasonal temperatures.  The lake was covered in standing water, and snow banks were decimated.

Last night we had a burst of freezing rain and then light flurries off and on until this evening.  There is more snow forecasted for tomorrow.

Being that it is still January - and only the middle of January, this is just fine with me.  We need the frosty winter to truly appreciate Spring when it finally decides to truly grace us with it's presence. 

Until then, I look forward to invigorating days and cozy nights.

Puddle Jumping

The thaw continues.