It's Coming

It's getting darker earlier. The weather has been just brilliant-blue skies, low humidity, temperatures in the 70's. It even is chilly at night. Autumn is coming and I can't wait. Fall is my favorite time of year. I'm happy to say goodbye to the hot weather and embrace the cool, comfortable weather. I'm not quite ready for the winter boots yet-but I'm looking forward to sweatshirts and jackets!

Hot Hot Hot

It is very hot today. There's even a heat advisory. Since I can't take the heat, I changed my plans. I was going to take a ride on the Arcade Attica Railroad, but too hot for that. Sam and I took an early walk-but he turned back toward home quite quickly. Then I walked to the farmer's market. I got all kinds of goodies-but everyone was already sold out of eggs. I have such a craving for farm fresh eggs. Sigh. Other than moving the sprinkler-I've stayed inside. I've been working on a new Facebook page for Amelia & Cabot Ratkins. I also want to type up some more of my posts for my upcoming Cozy blog (which will debut a week from tomorrow). I've been doing a little tidying up, and watching a little TV (Top Chef Masters, Olympics, The Andy Griffith Show). I may get a little crafting in too. But now...time to move the sprinkler and give Sam a bath! Stay cool everyone!

Too Hot

I know that compared to other parts of the world, it's not that bad, but for me it is nightmarishly hot here in WNY. My computer says it's 87 degrees with high humidity. I just stepped outside for a few minutes to let Sam do his business. We came right back in-I could barely breathe. Later on, hoping it'll get a bit cooler, I'll visit Harley and give him a bath. It's just too hot for me to want to even leave the house.

Freeze Warning

We've had some really weird weather. Yesterday we broke records reaching into the 80's. Today was very nice and sunny-but the high was only in the 50's and tonight we have a freeze warning. I'm praying for all the fruit trees. This too warm, unseasonable weather, quickly followed by freezing temperatures isn't good!

Out Like a Lion

March is certainly going out like a lion. After some unseasonable warm weather, the cold returned. Last night the snow came back, covering everything. Almost all has melted, but it remains cold. My parents and I went to the Broadway Market for a traditional Easter trip. We got lots of goodies. We had a green Christmas...will we have a white Easter?

Getting Ready for Spring

The lawn tractor was picked up Tuesday. It's been fixed and tuned up and will be returned tomorrow. The heating/AC people were out today and performed the Spring tuneup. I changed the Cranapple Crisp soap to Fresh Picked Strawberry. Keep in mind...it's currently 39 degrees with a hard freeze and possible snow coming tonight!

Winter's Back

It looks deceptively warm and sunny outside. It may be sunny, but it's cold, and the wind is biting! It looks like it's 70-as it has been, but it's now 36! Tonight will get down in the 20's. My poor fruit trees. Farmers are in trouble-the unseasonable warm weather convinced fruit trees and flowers to bud...and bloom. This frost could kill them...and the fruit the fruit trees might grow. Let's all hope the crops aren't decimated.

Spring Has Sprung!

Joyous Ostara! Happy St. Joseph's Day! Spring is officially here. It's an amazing 71 degrees here in WNY. On my walk with Sam today we saw many crocus in bloom and even a few daffodils. What's fantastic around my house is the scent. The wild violets are in bloom on my lawn, perfuming the air. It's delightful. I see the leaves of my tulips, and other things sprouting. There are buds on the lilacs and I'm starting to see hints of yellow on the forsythias. Yes, Spring has sprung!

It's Hot Out There!

The unseasonable warm weather continues. It's 71 degrees here in WNY. That's just weird...lovely...but, weird. I got warm walking Sam this morning and am worried about this summer. Will it be unbearably hot? I left Texas-I don't want 90 & 100 degree temperatures here. Still, I hope to enjoy this lovely weather while I can. Next week we're supposed to be back in the 50's.

Blizzard of 77 Slideshow

35 Years Ago

It was 35 years ago today that it hit; the Blizzard of '77. I was just a kid, so to me it was a great adventure, nothing scary. My main memory is getting to my grandparents house. Normally it was a 5 minute drive-not so this time. My parents and I set off, driving, but we couldn't cross the border between Kenmore and Buffalo. We left the car and set off on foot. When we got to their street we couldn't believe what we saw. In the middle of the road was a mountain of snow, higher than the 2 story houses. I'll never forget that sight! Apparently, the blizzard only brought 6-12 inches of snow with it; it was the 38 inches already there that caused the problem, along with the 30-40 mile an hour winds which buried cars and houses and stranded hundreds...if not thousands. Here are some pictures compiled from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District publication entitled "Operation Snow Go - Blizzard of '77". Here's another site with some great photos. You can also watch some clips on Youtube. If you're on Facebook, like Perry's ice cream and you can see many more pictures and recollections. You can also try their commemorative Blizzard of '77 ice cream-Zero Visibility. I survived the Blizzard of '77...and I have the board game to prove it!

Siberian Husky Mixes

Although neither my Brioche (who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge), nor my Sam look like a traditional Siberian Husky-I was told when I adopted each that they were Siberian Husky mixes. Brioche was supposedly Siberian Husky/White Shepherd and Sam a Siberian Husky mix (personally I think he has some Setter in him as well-but that's a guess). I adopted Brioche in Texas, but eventually we moved to New York state and she got to experience winter...and snow. At that point I became convinced that Brioche was indeed part Siberian Husky. She loved the snow and would just stand in it and stare, enjoying the cold. Sam is exactly the same way. Just before bed I let him out for his last business of the night, he does it, but then doesn't want to come in. He stands, in a drift, and stares; while I'm bundled up in the single degree temps!

Photo Phriday - My Siberian Mix

Winter?

I've been laughing a bit as I hear of snow covering my friends in Oklahoma and Texas, when all I have here in WNY is rain and balmy temperatures in the 40's. That's about to change, however. Friday is supposed to still be warm...but snow coming and Saturday the high will only be in the teens. We even have a winter weather advisory starting tomorrow. Nothing major, just things getting back to normal for this time of year!

Wacky Weather

We had a green Christmas this year and the temperature on New Year's Eve was in the mid 40's. Very strange for this time of year in WNY. New Year's day started pretty warm as well as Sam and I went on our walk, but by the time I got to work the wind started picking up and the temperature started to drop. It also started to rain. Halfway though the evening the winds got wild (we had a wind advisory) and it got colder. As I left work it was windy and drizzly. I co-worker coming in for the next shift warned me to drive carefully and "keep both hands on the steering wheel". It didn't see that bad as I walked to my car...but then I started to drive. The drizzle turned into snain-that wet stuff that looks like snow, but doesn't accumulate and acts more like rain. The snaining continued and the winds picked up. At a stop light I saw sheets of snain! I got on the highway and the snain soon turned to snow-and the winds buffeted my car. Both hands on the wheel. At least the roads were clear...until I started to get close to home. The roads were becoming snow covered and the snow was coming at me...until I was about 5 minutes from home. The snow stopped and all was clear, windy, but clear. This morning it's about 32. There's a small amount of snow-but roads and sidewalks are clear. However, we're under a lake effect snow warning. It's going to start snowing this evening and through tomorrow. Tomorrow the high is only supposed to be 14. It'll be a short walk tomorrow Sam!

Photo Phriday - Sam & 1st Snow

We has our first sticking snowfall last night and this morning some was still around. Here's Sam enjoying it!

Freezing

It was a cold walk with Sam this morning. I got home and the computer said 39 degrees. There was a stiff wind, though, which made it seem even colder. There's a freeze warning tonight-so make sure those plants are protected and any pets are snug inside the house. Although there's a light rain here-at my mom's house-an hour to the west-she sees snowflakes! Winter's coming!

October

October is here-and so is fall weather. I had to turn the furnace on. I didn't want to, but it was 57 in the house! It was a gray, rainy day yesterday, but today is gorgeous-with the sun shining. It's a bit warmer to at 62 degrees. I think more rain is coming today-but I'll take it. I just wish I could stay home and enjoy snuggling up with the kids!

Arrival of Autumn

Autumn has officially arrived. Not according to the calendar (the autumnal equinox is still a few days away), but according to Aleister. Aleister has begun cuddling up with me to sleep once again. He won't sleep on my bed when the weather is warm, but once the chill arrives-he stakes out his side of the bed and sleeps in! For the past 2 nights all the cats were on the bed. Calumet always sleeps on the human pillow next to me, Aleister cuddled up of the other side, and Seneca at the foot of the bed. Yup, fall is here.

So Much...

So much to do, so little to say. The day here is beautifully cool-autumn is definitely on the way-and I'm glad of that. I'm ready for warm scents, heavy clothing, changing leaves and cool days. How about you?