Many of you have asked where in the world I've been.

All I know is that after 7 plus years of blogging and a different lappy, which I don’t like, I seem to have lost my blogging fervor.

Someday, when you least expect it, I will post again.

For those of you still waiting I say thank you.

Meanwhile, I am rather prolific on twitter. Find me: @KeethaB
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The Eclectic Company - Waitin' on a New Adventure!!
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Sunday, February 3, 2013

A Tale of Perspective - In My City

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My city is located on the frozen tundra.

Well, it isn't actually the frozen tundra but it is a climate where a normal winter involves lots of snow and subzero (F) weather.
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During the average winter around "these here parts" we don't expect to see the bare ground from sometime around mid November or early December until late March, April, or yes even early May.

We had at least two snow storms in May of 2011.
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Every single summertime outdoor activity that you can possibly think of is completely curtailed during our winter.

No sun bathing or picnicking with snow piled all around.

We expect it to snow and snow frequently.  We don't rush to the grocery store to buy bread and milk just because the weathermen or women happen to mention sleet, snow, or ice.

Our children go to school even when it's snowing.  If they didn't they'd get precious little schooling.
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We don't stay in our houses and off the roads when our world turns white.

We find plenty to do in this winter wonderland - - - such things as skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and yes even shoveling.

I happen to love the shoveling part.

This winter wonderland in which we live changes our perspective.   We can't help it.  It just happens to us.

When we hear someone from other regions say "it got REALLY cold" we wonder what they mean.  If they say "it got really cold" and then the temperature that comes out of their mouth is 65, 55, or even 35 we grin because 'round these here parts when ANY of those aforementioned temperatures are reached shorts, tank tops, and flip flops come out of hibernation.

Fact is, I've been feeling a little bit winter-deprived this year because we haven't had any low temperatures lower than -12.

On Tuesday this week it was -10 as I drove to work.  By the time I drove home it had warmed all the way up to -2.  I believe that was our coldest day so far.   It felt pretty cold.

Today as I drove to work I noticed it was 9.

When I got to the library coffee shop, a regular patron came by to get a cup of coffee.  "It's really pretty warm out today,"  said he.

I knew exactly what he meant.  I had noticed it too.  The 9 degrees of today felt much warmer than the -10 of Tuesday.

I kid you not.

And that's our perspective here in my city. 
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Today I'm joining Unknown Mami
For Sundays in My City.
Please hurry over to Unknown Mami's to see
What others are sharing from their cities.
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27 comments:

Traci Marie Wolf said...

ha ha ha I love that line, our children go to school when it snows. You wouldn't believe how many people call in sick where I work when it rains, I couldn't imagine what would happen if it snowed.

KathyB. said...

You mean the whole dang city doesn't come to a stop when it snows , like it does in the Seattle- Tacoma , WA area where we live? You mean 1 to 2 inches of snow does NOT cripple your cities & towns, and the kids STILL go to school? Impressive, but maybe really, just plain common sense.

Our kids on the other side of the mountains laugh at us and the panic when it snows, because they're experience is much like yours. It snows, deal with it, and even enjoy it.:)

Pam said...

Joe says "Brain Freeze!"

Formerly known as Frau said...

That's the kinda cold where your nostril stick together...lol! I get it ....it's cold here but I always say we live in Buffalo not Florida...it's winter it's suppose to be cold! Love your outlook on winter...life goes on!
Happy Sunday!

Wayne W Smith said...

I love seeing the snow in picture form.

Karen Lakis said...

It's amazing, the different perspectives on winter. This Northern gal loves and looks forward to winter - skiing, snowshoeing.... I wouldn't want it to always be winter - I'm so glad to have four seasons. Your area looks beautiful all covered in snow!

Tara R. said...

It's definitely a matter of what you're accustom to. When I lived in a colder climate, I did enjoy the snow. Getting out of school to have snowball fights and build snow forts. Now that I live in a subtropical climate, I know that I couldn't survive so much cold.

I can't wrap my head around negative temperatures.

retired not tired said...

So glad that you embrace the snow. I am a hibernator until I can be a snowbird. I should have gone South a month ago.

joanne said...

love watching snow fall, but hate it all over the ground and everything else...You are a trooper!

Barb said...

That snowsuit is awesome!

Dorothy said...

It gets below zero C here and that's colder than I prefer! Still, it got to zero the other day after two weeks below and it really did feel "warmer." I love the wind-sculpted snow on the table and chairs!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Love the pictures of snow!
Have a Super Bowl Sunday....

Anonymous said...

I hear ya! I grew up in Idaho and it was very common to have -30 during the winter. Sometimes we'd even be snowed in for a couple of weeks (and have to make it up in the spring). Even in Utah this year we have been "cold". If I enjoyed any snow sports it might be fun. BUT I HATE IT!!!!! ;-)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

This was interesting to read. I've lived in different climates and it's all about perspective. I think it's funny when people here say they are freezing when it gets into the 60s! lol And when I visited Alaska, people had their windows and doors open when it was in the 50s. Letting in the sunshine! Enjoy your day!

Sandy said...

Well, Keetha, it is true about the perspective of "Cold" Used to live in Tundra, as you know and for over 20 yrs. now here in the South....BRR when it gets to 30...But back home I used to go to the "50 degree" party when it was the first 50 degree day...
Love the post and the pictures...just glad I don't have to cross the Great Wi. River in the winter anymore...It was REALLY REALLY COLD when I was a kid...
Love from High Point

Bill Lisleman said...

I like that you clarified the temp as Fahrenheit. But my first reaction after reading sub-zero was that it stood for the F-word.
"love the shoveling" - really? Do you think you might be suffering from one too many brain freezes?

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

OMG...we haven't been below 0' yet this winter...and seeing as Punxatawny Phil says spring will come early, I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel: SPRING!! We had 10" snow Friday night, and life goes on, we too get used to it and go on with our daily life. Our area is considered the "snow belt", but a few towns north gets it worse than us...I like a little dusting to make it pretty, but hate the slippery roads! _ enjoy it, spring will be here soon

kyooty said...

I so totally get it!!! :)

Tami said...

Where I live we have a lot of hills and dangerous, curvy roads. When it snows or has freezing rain, the schools are in a hurry to call of school. Sometimes too quickly in my opinion.
I can't believe you think 9 is a warm temp!!

Anonymous said...

I loved snow when I was s kid...but now I wouldn't have no problem to live in a snowless place!
In Northen Finland it's been even -36,2!
In Helsinki right now -1.
Have a nice week!

Rebecca Jo said...

I understand that. I used to FREEZE when it would get to 50 degrees. Then I started running & would be our running in 40 & 30 degrees - now that temp feels decent to me. Its what you're used to :)
I have a friend in Canada that laughs when she hears school is canceled here for snow :)

★Carol★ said...

Sounds like perfection to me, Keetha! It's finally started snowing here, an inch or less a day. Definitely not the kind of winters I remember here in Illinois. But winters in the Northwoods of Wisconsin were ALWAYS the best!

podso said...

you look prey-ty cool in your snowsuit and red mitts!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Your so snazzy in your winter overalls Keetha!
I thought it felt kind of warm yesterday too. I laugh now when my son and dil born and raised in Wisconsin come back from Phoenix and say they are cold!
Little wimps I say!
haha.
Hugs friend,
Cindy
p.s. I heard the coldest air temp. in Wisconsin recorded was -55 below. And I can't remember the town but it wasn't up North either.

Powdered Toast Man said...

You would probably melt if you went to Texas or Florida.

Claudya Martinez said...

I love that picture of you shoveling. I will however, keep my California perspective on cold.

Vidya Sury said...

:D The coldest weather in India is in the North - and I live in the South where it is almost perpetually pleasant, warm or hot :D

The snow does look beautiful!