IT HAS BEEN COLD...All of a sudden, the sun gets up just before 8 AM and sets around 5 PM. Here in Corning, we sort of had two "Indian Summers", periods of several days when the day temperatures reached the mid-70s. Now we have the cold weather in earnest, overnight lows of 15 to 20 degrees F. I wonder if today was a taste of life to come. As the sun rose today (Sunday) I noted 11 degrees on my deck, where I have an outside thermometer wirelessly transmitting the data so that I do not have to step out to see how cold it really is. As I set off to walk to church around 9 AM...20 degrees. With the wind at 20 mph whistling down the river at 20 mph, my ears fairly froze as I crossed the bridge. Note to me: get a hat that covers your ears, Robert.
I had some jobs to complete over at my dear friend Uma's home. 'Better get these done before Winter sets in", I have been saying to myself for weeks. Just as I was finishing these up yesterday, in swept a swirling fall of light snow, demonstrating remarkable timing. Today the temperature never got above 24 and, as I write, is back to the low of this morning. What can one say but..."Brrrr". I managed to get outside to dig three holes for planting my new trees (I have six to plant) before retreating. These arrived in the post from Arbor Day Foundation. They are all certified 'dormant' so can be planted in this cold weather in order to get a good start in Spring.
This is Thanksgiving week and I will spend the afternoon before Turkey Day peeling potatoes for the free Thanksgiving Dinner the church hosts. Not sure what I will do on the day, maybe go over for the dinner to help out and have some turkey and whatnot. Maybe dig three more holes for planting; it will be a little warmer.
I managed to get myself out of that 'corner' (A Christian Atheist: an Oxymoron?). The talk was well received. The gist of it is in the last two postings in the other blog (BeliefAccording...). I was also to read a book to the children and chose 'The Little Engine that Could'. A modern version of the story we know as The Good Samaritan, and between the lines, 'When the going gets tough, the tough get going'. I admit to having a great time with them! Would you believe, they have invited me back to do a short series so another 'corner' is in the offing, this time along the lines of inquiring into a modern basis for spirituality and morality.
The shortening daylight hours and standard time surely bring a change to the ordering of the day. A case of getting the work done while you can; 'work for the night is coming', as an old song reminds. Not much room for procrastination either. This Winter, my focus will be bringing the downstairs area up to guest accommodation standard and making the entire house 'shipshape'.
Soon enough the snow will be covering the ground. I have the snow tyres (tires) on now and even got my skis out the other day. Three times a week I have taken to quick walks including the local park that has a nice slope at the northern when where I can do my 'hill bounding' and other skiing related training. Will there be snow, I wonder? Never mind, I am very happy to go exploring for snow trails and plan a trip up into Quebec Province to Mont Tremblant National Park, and some other trips into the Adirondacks.
If you are in the US...happy Turkey Day and safe travels.
If elsewhere, have a great week.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
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