Last night Old Man Winter sneaked up and bit Tennessee on the ass. Snow, ice, blustery winds, and bone-shivering temperatures.
This past week was unseasonably mild. It was 65 degrees (Fahrenheit) on Christmas Eve and 70 degrees on New Year's Day. I thought I had been magically transported back to California.
The frightfully frigid gods of winter saw my delight and decided to thwart it. Just after dusk last evening the temperature began to plummet, wicked winds howled, and ice pelted the windows. At around 2:00 a.m. there was a power outage. The two cats and I shivered in bed until dawn - when the power was miraculously restored.
When I finally pried myself out of bed and looked outside I was greeted by a winter wonderland - - or an Arctic nightmare, more likely.
Despite my abject disgust and misery, I grabbed my El Cheapo digital camera and ventured outside for a quick walk in the woods. Unfortunately, there was too much ice and mud. And my intended route was completely blocked by a massive pile of trees that were toppled in the tornadic storm that we had several weeks ago.
It was also colder than a penguin's kiss. My hands were so numb that I could hardly hold the camera. So I stayed home and took a few pics from the front and back porches.
The snowy glare was so bright that I couldn't see anything through the camera lens. All of my efforts were blind guesses.
The woods in the back "yard"
View from the front "yard" (above). A tiny glimpse of the roof of my house on the left.
Looks cold. At least your snow still clings to trees. Our area is filled with blowing and drifting snow. And bone chilling temps. And I was just beginning to like the green Christmas season... Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteI would have preferred to get this on Christmas Eve, but the worst winter weather here always starts in January. The temperature dropped to 8 degrees last night and more snow is expected by Thursday.
DeleteIt seems as though winter weather is STARTING with the southern states this year. Our weather has been very strange - like you, it has been up and down and unusually warm one day then cold as hell the next day. I have never seen anything like it.
ReplyDeleteBut, you sure did get the SNOW!
This rollercoaster weather drives me crazy - I just can't get used to it. Last night the temp. dropped to 8 degrees and more snow is expected swoon.The snow looks pretty, but only if you can stay indoors.
DeleteBoy your lucky, I would love to get some snow here.
ReplyDeleteSunday was 63 degrees here. It was cooler on Christmas, but still almost didnt feel like the holidays with warm temps.
I'll gladly send you the snow! I'll have it packed and ready in a few hours. It won't be missed because more snow is expected by Thursday.
DeleteWell, your blind guesses resulted in some gorgeous scenes! So glad your power was restored before you and the kitties wound up with pnemonia.
ReplyDeleteBoth yesterday and today (so far) we're experiencing bitter cold -- unfortunately, no snow, no ice. (Yes, I really said 'unfortunately'!) I'm tempted to make the 2nd one my screen saver for the loathesome summer months.
We get frequent power outages in cold weather and it really scares me. It got down to 8 degrees last night and I was a nervous wreck until dawn.
DeleteThe snow photos did turn out fairly good. The second one is my favorite.
PS - I remember you said you don't often check your e-mail, but I sent something this morning to the jonvtenn address. Hope it's the right one!
ReplyDeleteYou have the correct email address. Thanks!
DeleteDespite those blind guesses with your el cheapo camera, Jon, you got some beautiful shots and I confess to being a bit envious with no snow here in NH (yet). Our temps have been as erratic as your own with 40s one day and 20s today, back to the high 40s on Wed and "possibly" a light snowfall on Friday. Friends in southern states, like yourself, have received more snow than parts of New England. Can we discuss a weather trade?
ReplyDeleteIt really is strange that's there's no snow in NH, but we're inundated w3ith it here in TN. I'm sure that winter will eventually find its way to your neck of the woods.
DeleteI enjoyed your recent post about the movies. Unfortunately when I tried to comment I got an error message. Blogger is still plaguing me with annoying glitches...
Glad to read that you enjoyed my movies post, Jon, and too bad about the glitches in Blogger, but I don't have a solution. I have been checking comments daily to make sure that any from that obnoxious Ratana and others are immediately deleted. Also cautioned a couple of other fellow bloggers to delete comments from any similar spammers. I really don't have the time or the desire to enable comment moderation, so have not.
DeleteTo go from 70 degrees to snow--OMGoodness! I do love the way it looks, though. The trees look magical. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's extremely difficult trying to get used to these wildly fluctuating temperatures. I prefer the balmy 70 degrees - - but the snow really does look magical and inspiring.
DeleteHappy New Years Jon. I've been down for the count with back problems, in tremendous pain. the holidays were miserable. thats why i haven't been commenting or writing. but checking in here, the following observation is that your El Cheapo camera is more than up to the challenge of photographing your recent snow and ice event. the photos you took have brought me sheer delight. loving the landscape all around you. can even feel the nip of jack frost. breathe in that cool crisp air. lets you know you are alive. hope 2022 finds us both healthier and happier.
DeleteThere was a time I didn't mind winter so much. I'd put on warm coveralls and go milk cows, morning and evening. Now I just stay inside and wait hopefully for spring.
ReplyDelete