Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Freaky Weather


Monday, we received about 8 inches of snow throughout the day. I didn't need to go out to see a patient until nearly 11 PM. By that time, road crews had done a decent job of clearing my path, and my sleigh handled the rest of the mess with finesse. It was a strange ride, though. The sky was incredibly bright for nearly midnight, and had a reddish glow. It was as though a big city was ablaze in the distance. Since I was way out in the country where there wasn't a lot of ambient city light, I found it a bit disconcerting. I swear it looked like the remnants of a sunset and not the middle of the night.

Tonight, my husband finished clearing off the drive while I took the broom to the icicles threatening to clobber us as we descend from the porch. As soon as we finished, it began to snow again. Not a lot, but a good dusting. Enough to make my ride into the city annoying, but I wasn't driving, security was. By 11 PM, there were reports of black ice on the road. For those of you lucky enough not to encounter such a nasty little treat on the road, black ice is, well, ice. The problem is the pavement appears only to be wet and the driver realizes a split second too late, that he or she has made a monumental error in driving judgment. This usually happens right before the spin out and subsequent call for a tow truck.

I snapped the photo of the freaky looking tree in my neighbor's yard around 1 AM--right after work. Fog has set in, and this is no ordinary fog my friends. It's cold outside--well below 32 degrees (F). This is freezing fog and let me just say, I'm glad my shift is over and I'm able to watch some Olympic recaps while I work on my mitten all snug and warm indoors.


And, oh! Would you just check out the progress here? The best thing about these mittens is the yarn. I bought 2 skeins of each color and it's looking like I'll only need one of each for a finish.

As for the games today, Joannie Rochette, who lost her mother this week, was heart breaking and extraordinary on the ice. For all she's been through, I hope she medals.

In my book, she's already a winner.

16 comments:

Jane said...

Just seen the news reports about that now, what an emotional night it must have been.
We had fog here in the night. At one stage we couldn't see across the road, but it was lifting by the time DS1 got up

Ruth said...

Keep warm.

Anonymous said...

I heard about that girl; poor thing. I haven't kept up with the olympics much this year. I hope she does/did well too. I've never heard of freezing fog. I can't imagine how hard it'd be to breath in it.. Be careful out there at nigh!

Silliyak said...

Could it have been Northern Lights? (And my word verification is sedancon)

Anonymous said...

Well Rudee you keep on amazing me. Just cruising around like nothing is going on. I hope that night was not too bad. I have been following that girl's story too and strong is not the word she is amazing. Blessings
QMM

Rudee said...

Silliyak--I thought about that. It's rare to see that so far south, but I have. I recall thinking aliens were coming at that time (30 years ago). It was late spring and I was way out of town where it was very dark. Monday's sky was different.

Brenda said...

Your mittens should be called the "Winter of 2010" I love the way they look like bare trees. This winter has just been awful. Today it is 14 degrees. But the sun is shining and it is suppose to be 40 on Friday. A heat wave!

debra said...

We had freezing drizzle and fog. And a little snow to top it all off. More snow is in the forecast. And, of course, it is gray.
Here's to some internal sunshine. Love the mittens
xo

Anonymous said...

I felt so sad for that skater. What an emotional night and how deep her grief must be.

Be careful out there on those roads. I drove home the other night in a funky kind of foggy, light, blinding snow. It was so odd, and so hard to see. I always worry about the other drivers, but we are way out in the country, where there are not many lights (or plows).

I love your mittens, the pattern and colors look so warm and unique. You are so talented.

Take Care,
Cheryl

clairedulalune said...

Oh, that sky must have seemd strange and errie! That weather sounds nasty, keep safe! Your mittens are coming on brilliantly, they look beautiful!

splendid said...

This is the most beautiful pattern I have ever seen. Thank you for posting your progress.

Stephanie V said...

That tree is the model for your mittens which are turning out just beautifully. Bet you can hardly wait to wear them.

Rositta said...

I watched Joannie skate last night and it was heartbreaking. I cannot imagine the internal strength needed to pull off that skate. Even if she doesn't medal, she's won the heart of every Canadian and even beyond our borders. I'm settling in for the hockey match up between Canada and Russia. I'm a little worried, Canada hasn't won against them since the 60's. Last night though, I was cheering for the Germans even though I knew they had no chance. We're hunkering down for another storm arriving overnight that's meant to last a couple of days. From Anonymous's comments in your last post, sounds like those mittens are already spoken for. They are lovely...ciao

Jackie said...

You do great work! I hope to master something like this some day, speaking of a pattern.
Jackie

Anonymous said...

Waiting to see what medal those gorgeous mittens win. Yeah, Joannie Rochette got a medal and I think all the top skaters had personal bests!

Miss T said...

Spooky tree photo -- I love it!