Winter weather in Floyd and the Outer Banks

The morning after the snow we weren't suppose to get.

and sunset on that same day.

January is almost gone spring will be here before I know it.  It has been a bit of a cold January.  We have had below zero nights and days that barely got out of the single digits.  The cold weather will hopefully be a good thing.  Maybe some of the bugs that are such a pain Japaneses beetles stink bugs and ticks to name just a few will be cut back this next summer.  Tonight is going to be a cold one down to about 8 or so if the weather guru's are right.  

I do feel a bit sorry for my kids at the beach.  They got a bit of snow yesterday also as can be seen by this photo.  Well maybe I don't feel too sorry for them that looks like fun......

A winter day in paradise

Winter is passing quietly here in paradise.  It seems like this winter has been wet compared to last year. We have had rain followed by cold temperatures.  It’s like old man winter has been just a little off, not sending the cold temperatures in time to meet the rain and thus rain and no snow.  Of course the ground just a few inches below the surface is frozen so all the rain is just running down to the branches and streams and out of the county. 

We need snow to refill our water table. Snow melts slowly and is able to soak into the ground; this then slowly makes its way to the cracks and crevices that we put our wells into so that we can draw out the good clean mountain water we enjoy.   I have been told that around here the water cycle is only about 20 years so what I am drinking now started its journey as rain or snow 20 or more years ago. 

It’s snowing right now; a little clipper is passing through and is promising to drop a ½ inch or so of the white stuff.  Spring is weeks and weeks away so any change to the dark silhouette of barren trees and brown fields that Mother Nature can give me is a welcome gift.

Its cold out there

It’s January 6^th and it is getting very cold out side.  This morning I went out side expecting frigid temperatures but I was surprised to find that I was not cold at all.  When I checked out the temp on line I found that is was 34 degrees, not bad at all.  Well let me tell you things have changed in the last 10 hours.  Right now it is 12 degrees and the wind has picked up.  I had hoped that the weather guru’s might be off a bit but I am putting that hope aside, it’s cold out side……

I was on the couch reading a book when I noticed the sky darken, I looked up at the Buffalo and saw a white haze crossing it, at first I thought it was fog but it wasn’t it was snow.  When I lived at the beach some times it would rain across the street but my house would be dry.  That is what happened with the snow.  It was snowing on the Buffalo but not at my house.

If the weather guru’s predictions continue to be true tomorrow will be very cold but starting Wednesday we should be back to normal temps so all should be good.  I am hoping the power stays on and that the pipes don’t freeze.  

I am hoping for a good Wednesday and Friday to come, some friends and I need to split some wood.  I have a good wood supply right now but too many days like this one and I might find myself needing more sooner rather than later; Burrrrrrr

Happy New Year

I should be at work today but I called in sick…. As I sit here and sip on my nice hot cup of coffee I am thinking of last year, 2013.  I can truly say it was uneventful.  I went to work, gardened and hung out with friends and family.  Nothing special… Well for me living here is special; I enjoy the “simple” life.  I like having an ideal of what it’s going to be like tomorrow.  I can amp life up from time to time with a short trip here or there knowing that I can retreat back to my little piece of paradise and the simple life at any time.

At this time in my life its nice to know that life is going to flow with the seasons.  Right now I am getting the inside of the house in order; going through closets, drawers, under beds and anywhere else I have stuck things getting rid of what ever I don’t use or need in an effort to de-clutter.  On warm winter days I will attempt to get the green house finished and cut wood this done in preparation for the seasons to come.  When spring comes I will plant my garden.  Summer I will tend the garden and fight the un-winnable grass wars.  In the fall I will harvest my summer toil in anticipation of the cold winter months.  Throughout the seasons I will enjoy time with friends my dogs and yes the cat.  I like the simple life.  I am comfortable with this; I am hoping to continue in this manner for many years to come.

Happy New Year