Friday, January 9, 2015

January in Minnesota

 

It's just plain too cold!


Schools were closed Wednesday because the windchill (combination of wind and air temperature, or as it's sometimes called, The Misery Factor) was -30 to -40F. That's -34 to -40C and that's cold! Dangerously cold.

Yesterday it snowed and I slipped and slid home from my daughter's house because salt won't melt snow and ice on the roads at these air temperatures.

The radio reported 716 accidents on Minnesota roads yesterday afternoon and night.

For exercise today, I shoveled the driveway, three inches that fell yesterday and some big drifts that the wind created. I have had to come in twice to thaw my hands and toes, and I'm still not done.

I want to be out skiing or snowshoeing in the woods but even though the sun is out, it's still below zero and that's too cold. Bare skin freezes in minutes at these temperatures.

 

So, I thought I would spend the day copying slides onto my iPad with the converter I got for Christmas, but I can't figure it out. I'll try again another day -- right now I'm just frustrated with the whole thing!

I guess I'll make another cup of tea and read a book.

I do hope you are enjoying your day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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25 comments:

  1. Fun60January 9, 2015 at 11:45 AM

    Wow that is cold. Staying in the warmth with a cup of tea and a good book is the only acceptable activity in those temperatures.

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  2. diane bJanuary 9, 2015 at 12:00 PM

    I feel for you. I wouldn't survive in those temperatures. Take care and keep safe on those icy roads.

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  3. GosiaJanuary 9, 2015 at 12:06 PM

    Cynthia at my place it is next winter which is mild. Now it is raining and iot is 5C according to the weather forecast it is not going to be winter next week. I believe it is far way from Europe in your place luckily.. Take care and keep warm and dry...

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  4. Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise January 9, 2015 at 12:17 PM

    Wow Cynthia, I've never been anywhere that cold and can just imagine how difficult that could be. Love your quote on a balanced life...my sentiments exactly.

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  5. JoyfulJanuary 9, 2015 at 12:40 PM

    Now reading a book and having a cup of tea sounds lot more fun than copying slides ;-) Seriously, I know it is a task you want to do so I hope it goes better for you next time. Be careful shovelling the snow. Make sure you take breaks and watch for any signs of heart fatigue. I hope it warms up for you soon. xx

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  6. mamasmercantileJanuary 9, 2015 at 1:06 PM

    Those temperatures are terrible, I can't imagine it. Stay safe and only do a little shovelling at a time. The tea and the book sound like a better proposition. Hope it warms up a little.

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  7. Linda KayJanuary 9, 2015 at 1:21 PM

    A cup of tea takes care of lots of things, for sure. Sorry you have had such awful cold....but certainly glad I'm not there.

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  8. HuggybearJanuary 9, 2015 at 1:56 PM

    Yes that sure is cold - but one of the temperature gauge readings is wrong - either the Celsius or Fahrenheit?

    Now that we are Celsius here, I have forgotten the Fahrenheit equivalents. Strangely on the linear scale I am still feet and inches
    and the weight scale - stones and pounds. I guess that I don't bother with them as much???
    I can think of warmer imbibes to warm you up - courtesy of Ireland, Scotland or France.
    "Baileys Irish Cream" or Irish Whisky, a full malt scotch from bonnie Scotland or a French Cognac.
    A few belts of all three and good God, you would be able to shovel the snow in swimming gear!!
    I suppose the Russians and the Poles may be miffed as vodka is also a warmer - trouble is - no taste!

    Kids would never have the weather factor as a reason here for schools to be closed - sauna or freezing!

    I guess Spring can't come quick enough for you, eh?
    Try to keep warm and take my "modest' advice on warming the insides up.
    "Dr" Aussie Col
    PS: No charges this time!

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    Replies
    1. CynthiaJanuary 9, 2015 at 2:26 PM

      I just checked it again on a google calculator and got the same thing.

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    2. HuggybearJanuary 9, 2015 at 2:53 PM

      Yes - I have just been studying ( well trying to fathom it out) and in wikipedia that "google calculator"
      says what you say - but if water freezes at 32 Fahrenheit and 0 Celsius - just doesn't make sense to me.
      Maybe a Science blogger might enlighten us??? Are there science bloggers though?
      Cheers
      Confused Col !!!
      PS: Confusion does not reign (rain) happily on my parade - ha ha!

      Delete
  9. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"January 9, 2015 at 1:58 PM

    Staying indoors sounds a wise option. Tea and a book makes it sound irresistible.

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  10. biebkriebelsJanuary 9, 2015 at 3:01 PM

    I like cold winters but this is too cold to be acceptable to go outdoors. You can just keep indoors and try to do the things you like....a bit boring maybe.

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  11. Jayne HJanuary 9, 2015 at 3:26 PM

    Wooah, that's cold Cynthia. Cup of tea and a book sounds like a good plan, hopefully there is no danger of falling over and spraining your ankle doing that. .

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  12. Mac n' JanetJanuary 9, 2015 at 3:56 PM

    I can't even imagine temperatures that low. I with the cat in the picture. Stay in, stay warm and read a good book or two.

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  13. RedJanuary 9, 2015 at 5:54 PM

    Keep warm. but I'm afraid you're getting more snow sent from my way. Oh yes slide copiers. It's one of the most frustrating pieces of garbage I've had the pleasure of working with. I can get the thing to work but I can't calibrate it so that I get a quality reproduction. I hope you have better luck than I've had.

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  14. Far Side of FiftyJanuary 9, 2015 at 9:10 PM

    I understand your cold...similar here but with less snow. I do have some more shoveling to do, I keep hoping it will blow away! Stay warm and keep the faith it will be spring in four more months:)

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  15. Margaret DJanuary 9, 2015 at 9:37 PM

    That is mighty cold, well I presume it is, it sounds it and I can't imagine it.
    I sometimes wonder what you all do day in day out when it's so cold most people don't go outside. I expect you prepare for the winter, so have things handy.

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  16. KayJanuary 9, 2015 at 10:15 PM

    I finally managed to get travel photos migrated and saved to my iPad by looking on line how to do it. It's amazing what you can get off the web.

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  17. UnknownJanuary 10, 2015 at 12:45 AM

    I love your name "Misery Factor" I'm unashamedly going to steal that saying. We have terrible winds here this morning, next doors fence has already blown down and I haven't braved it outside to see what other damage has been done.

    Mother nature likes to keep things interesting doesn't she?

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  18. Henny PennyJanuary 10, 2015 at 9:00 AM

    That is just too darn cold for anybody! It got down to 12 degrees here but that sounds warm now, compared to your cold. Take care.

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  19. Andrea JohnsonJanuary 10, 2015 at 10:32 AM

    I have just discovered your blog and find it most enjoyable. I live in Minnesota too. We who have lived here all our lives, who are retirement age....we are used to sub-zero cold and know how to handle it. It is a source of pride to many of us that we stick around all (or most!) of the winter and are winter-hardy. There is something beautiful about a very cold day, with the sun sparkling in a clear sky and bouncing off dazzling white snow. Love the tea-and-book photo; it's my "go-to" too on those severe wind-chill days!

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  20. Lois@Living In DenimJanuary 11, 2015 at 10:35 PM

    Boy, I thought it was cold here. Are you expecting a break soon? A cup of tea and a book is exactly how I spend those days

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  21. Optimistic ExistentialistJanuary 13, 2015 at 7:32 AM

    Oh wow - and here I thought it was cold in Kentucky LOL

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  22. Bill S.January 13, 2015 at 12:07 PM

    So much colder than the West. We are hoping for the cold so we can go ice fishing.

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  23. Little Wandering WrenJanuary 13, 2015 at 6:43 PM

    Hi Cynthia - I'm hoping you don't get drunk on tea and run out of decent books to read before the weather warms up for you again... Thank you for stopping by for some Aussie Sunshine. Always lovely to have your visit.
    May you soon be out skiing!
    Wren x

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