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DELETE.
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- 6 degrees F(-21 C). I am SO SICK of winter. Cannot remember a worse one for snow AND cold.
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Posted: |
Mar 8, 2014 - 3:03 AM
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By: |
manderley
(Member)
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Tonight in the Studio City/ Toluca Lake/ Valley Village area of Los Angeles it's clear and a bit chilly, probably in the low 50s. Tomorrow is predicted for about 80.
After off-and-on downpours in the last several weeks (all of which we needed in the California area), the weather seems to have stabilized now and is quite nice. Today was lovely.
At the beginning of February we had some good days, so I started a project of repairing a 5x15 foot garden shed which needed a new roof. My neighbor volunteered some assistance but, when we peeled off the old roof preparing to do the new, it became evident that, at some point, termites had decided the roofing underlayment, as well as the rafters and siding studs, tasted like filet mignon with bernaise sauce, and had pretty well feasted on everything. So we had to tear everything apart almost to the foundation and start all over. But now it's nice and new and should last for another 20 years or more.
With Spring arrived here, in the last two weeks I have begun repainting my house, which has needed it for several years. Each day I'm up-and-down on my 24' extension ladder scraping away the loose paint, recaulking the joints, sanding and priming, and preparing for the final coats (likely two) of paint.
I've always thought that painting with a single brush is more effective and lasting than roller or spray gun, and so I do it that way, even though it takes more effort and time, and everyone says I'm crazy for doing it like this! The truth is that, at my age of 74, and two stents implanted, I probably shouldn't be doing ANY of this at all (.....I won't tell my doctor if you don't!)....but at least I can pretty well assume I won't have to do it again in my remaining years!
But the days have been nice in which to work , I feel pretty good and overly ambitious, and a sense of accomplishment in getting the job done is always something to value.
When I pass through the backyard terraces to get more supplies, I am amazed at how quickly the Spring has come upon us here. I suppose because of the rain, the flowers are very much in bloom already. There are white, light pink, deep rose pink, orangey-red, and bright red azaleas everywhere, several bushes of pink camellias have blossomed, geraniums in red, orangey-red, and bright pink are cascading over the edges of their pots, masses of vines are crawing over the lattice fences, some with bright yellow trumpet shaped blossoms combining with vines of beautiful Lady Banks yellow roses interspersed.
The dwarf fruit trees in pots all have new buds on them so eventually we'll have a few lemons, tangerines, and limes, and the large Japanese maple in its pot is shedding its old dead leaves and there are quite a number of new branches of vivid green leaves. Filling the air is the smell of white star-jasmine blossoms, which seem to be everywhere this year.
The birds are out, too---lots of small songbirds ready to nest---I saw one with a beautiful iridescent greenish breast around the hedges this morning. Our usual 3-4 pairs of doves are here still, and in the last few days, the return of some of our hummingbirds. All of the birds love to light on our large bubbling fountain and splash and frolic in the morning before it gets too hot. Yesterday one of our regular squirrel friends was sitting on the upper edge and bending over for a drink or two. I guess these fountains we have are one of the few places in the neighborhood where a regular water supply is always available.
There is something wonderful about seeing all this life and nature around, and returning each year, and it makes me feel calm and relaxed the whole day when I am out in it, no matter what I'm doing. I am always sorry to hear of the terrible winters so many of you are experiencing. I was born in Indiana many decades ago, and while I loved to see the snowfall for about an hour and enjoy the pictorial aspects of it all, that was about it for me, and am happy to be away from Eastern winters.
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Spring is in the air! And finally a bit of sun! And the snow is long gone.
Looking forward to the next 6 or 7 months, weather-wise.
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Hehe, no such thing as snow in the 10-day forecast at least. But of course, it MAY happen. March has fooled us many times before.
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It's gorgeous here in Southern California, and soon I'll be outside bicycling in shorts and a t-shirt. But a couple of hours ago we had quite a jarring (4.4 -- felt more like 5+) earthquake -- I was finishing my taxes online and was afraid that I would lose my connection, but didn't.
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Yet here in SE England, there's not been a single flake of snow this year thus far. Whatever may have been our fair share seems to have been left hanging over the USA. The Jetstream rerouting must have something to do with this state of play. Despite more powerful high altitude driving winds, the more southerly routing of the JS than would normally be the case seems to have had a part in the northern hemispheric weather patterns being what they are.
Naughtily selective, Grecchus.
The wettest winter on record for 250 years apparently. The last time winter was this wet in the UK, people were snorting snuff, wearing breeches and powdered wigs and considering smashing up looms. America was still a colony. Plus terrible floods in England, and the stormiest December for 40 years.
How's it all adding up?:
winter 2009/10 ... worst for 30 years
winter 2010/11 ... coldest since records began over 100 years ago
spring 2011 ... one of the driest on record ever
winter 2011/12 ... one of the mildest on record
winter 2012/13 ... one of the longest ever
spring 2013 ... worst for 50 years with 10 foot snowdrifts in some areas in APRIL
winter 2013/14 .... stormiest December for 50 years and wettest winter for 250 years.
Somp'in's up.
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Guess what?More snow today, more snow tomorrow .On and on it goes.
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