-14 f and Windy

I was looking at the long range forecast for no particular reason this morning and weather.com has predicted a cold snowy February and March with snow storms that could go into April. What they said was, "colder than average and more snow than average."

It's -14f this morning and we have received over 3 feet of snow this winter with a big storm threatening this week and the meteorologist is going out on a limb to predict more cold and snow. I need to get one of those jobs. This is insight you can get by looking out the window. I base this on some science and I bet you are just dying to learn what. (I am going to tell you anyway.)

Snow reflects energy coming in from the sun, back out of the atmosphere, rather than being absorbed by bare ground. So early, heavy snow storms that cover large areas are going to make colder temperatures than average. This will keep temperatures below normal, into months that would otherwise be warmer. Good news for the global cooling alarmists, the sun wins out, the snow finally melts, summer comes and it is just a bit shorter in duration. There is no need to spread black sand in the arctic as was suggested by some scientists back in the late 1960's when we were going into an ice age. I think just dressing appropriately will be a lot easier. (You really kinda gotta watch scientists, some of there ideas are pretty shakey.)

Since last night was so cold and windy, we sealed the horses in one stall and closed all the openings of the barn with plywood. It was a good call. "Not a fit night out for man nor beast" comes to mind. We ferried hot water out periodically and they seem quite content. This morning we'll take the plywood down and turn them out.

We had grand kids over yesterdy and we took them out sledding on the road in. There is a small hill and it makes a good sled run for kids young enough to see the fun in a short down hill spurt. Grandpa likes short runs without too much pitch when he drags the young ones back up hill. Cold snowy winters like this are usable. Mild winters are not as much fun. I would much rather have this winter than a milder version where you don't get as much snow and the storms end in rain. All the winter activities are possible and this makes winter fun instead of something to be endured waiting on spring.

Young kids love playing in the snow and would do more of it if they could get a little cooperation from their parents. Parents are hard to motivate during cold weather. They buy their children snow suits, mittens, hats, sleds and a miriad of snow sliding paraphenalia, but when the snow is out there begging for kids to use it, they have a hard time actually bundling up their kids and opening the door to winters fun. I am aware of the mess, time and effort it takes. I am pretty sure I was no better at it way back when, but I can still see how nice it is when parents make the effort. I wish I had done it a lot more now. Putting a DVD in is so easy but it can't hold a candle to the good playing outside does kids. So get off the couch and get those kids sledding. I'd love to come help, but Kris and I have a couple of DVDs we are going to watch by the fire today.