Everything sublime is as difficult as it is rare. Baruch Spinoza

Monday, December 15, 2008

Hello Minnesota!


A fine MN morning greeted me. -15 on my thermometer. I haven't listened to the weather, so I don't know the official wind chill, but from the experience my face had walking from the barn, I'd say somewhere in the -30/-35 neighborhood. We didn't get the snow some areas did, it reached 40 degrees yesterday so our precipitation came as RAIN. You read it right, 40 degrees yesterday and -15 today. Gotta love a place with those type of temperature swings! No wonder we are all half mad.

On a positive note.....I love my old barn. 40 degrees, downright balmy. Everyone is tucked inside, happily munching hay and oblivious to the happenings outside. The horses that live in the shelters only peek their noses out the door, watching as the dumb two-leggers struggle to get them their hay. So, all is well on the farm. Warm horses with plenty to eat. Life is pretty good!

10 comments:

Jean L. said...

I am still waiting for that high of -5 degrees that they predicted. Everyone (horses) who are inside are staying inside, whether they like it or not. I spent yesterday afternoon filling in any cracks that I could find in both barns. The hay is carried in, so the doors will just stay closed. I am using the time to leisurely do some much needed housecleaning and decorating!

I am not looking forward to the prediction of -22 tonight.

Sandra said...

I have not listened to the weather report so I didn't know about -22. I cancelled the farrier for tomorrow. I didn't think he would want to bend over under horses that have been standing in for a couple of days!

I have been half-heartedly cleaning. I can always find an excuse.

Ganeida said...

Can I point out you guys are crazy? :) That is seriously cold. I have *never, & I mean *never* lived anywhere that even comes close to getting that cold. Can't you find somewhere warmer to live? I mean, I'm shivering just reading about it & my mercury's in the high 70's already!

Ashley Dumas said...

I am with Ganeida! That is so cold I just can't really imagine. I have seen a couple of nights in Georgia that barely dipped below zero, but that was so cold that we just stayed in and it only lasted a couple of days. Wow, stay warm and hats off to your braveness or perhaps as Ganeida said, your craziness : ) : ): )

Bye bye

Ash

Sandra said...

I did say we are half mad! Many of us were born here and can't seem to leave permanently. There is something about being a northerner, I think our genes are a little messed up. And, the really weird part is, we are PROUD of our cold weather!!! We get a gleam in our eyes as we start the conversation with "Did your pipes freeze in the barn last night?" Or, "If it gets much colder I'm going to need to wear my coat." Which, I'm not doing yet. A hooded sweatshirt, as well as long underwear and a sweat shirt. : ) I told you we are proud!

Christy Fritz said...

my inlaws are still recovering from the "freeze" in MA. i think they got power today.

although, as you say, they were very PROUD (lol :) of their ability to make due and had a generator on hand, as well as plenty of wood for their outdoor furnace for heat, so they were able to weather through, fairly unscathed.

never hear much complaining about the weather from northerners...too true. :)

glad your "enjoying" it.

Jean L. said...

Too funny, Sandra. I am still wearing my hooded sweatshirt as well! I have some chores to do which entail outside work in the bitter elements, but most of it is somewhat warmer than outside. Sandra knows this, but I will explain for those of you who do not know me. My barns vary in temperature. One is about 20 degrees warmer than outside and the other is about 40 degrees warmer, depending on which way the wind in from. And that is provided I do not open up any doors to clean stalls.

Sandra said...

We complain Christie, a lot, but with our chests puffed out as we do! Ice is the worst and the warmer northern climes have it really rough were that is concerned. I hate ice, it's the worst. The NE is having a tough time.

Jean L. has trained lots of my horses and I always begged to be in the 'warm barn'! It was for the horses, REALLY. : )

Jean L. said...

How crazy it it to wake up in mid-December and be elated that it is only -10 instead of -22!

Sandra said...

I was just thinking the same thing!