Winter is coming.

I love that phrase repeated through "Game of Thrones". It seems their winters are variable and may last generations. The white walkers north of the wall may awaken like frozen undead. Dire wolves are seen further south as predicts a bad one coming.

Winter is coming.

Getting all cozy, warm, snoozy, fat and calculating Holiday Survival tactics. It is this time of year I admire Islam with no Winter Holiday and associated madness. Yeah, they have the rest of the year for it.

Winter is coming.

And the Board and Chat are so slow. Members turning in earlier. Even the cats are sleeping more then 80% of the time.

Winter is coming.

How to adjust?

Moi

I'm thinking of taking skiing up again for the first time in 20 years. I really enjoyed it, but I'll probably need lessons again as at this point I think I'd be making snow angels all the way down the ski runs if I don't.

--LT

Ancient Music

Winter is icummen in,

Lhude sing Goddamm.

Raineth drop and staineth slop,

And how the wind doth ramm!

Sing: Goddamm.

Skiddeth bus and sloppeth us,

An ague hath my ham.

Freezeth river, turneth liver,

Damn you, sing: Goddamm.

Goddamm, Goddamm, 'tis why I am, Goddamm,

So 'gainst the winter's balm.

Sing goddamm, damm, sing Goddamm.

Sing goddamm, sing goddamm, DAMM.

Ezra Pound

Transward

Santa is coming

winter

fog drizzle rain dark dreary...not fun

actually i find the summer the board to be much slower as everyone is having fun and doing something outside

Yep, time to make that last venture outside, go around the house, rake the leaves one last time, put everything not attached in the shed or basement, put up the window seals around the house so it keeps warmer this winter, make sure the supply of bird seed is high as those little feathered friends that you have been feeding all year now depend on you for food so don't let them down because its cold outside. Time to check the antifreeze in your car or maybe change it out, and get an oil change as well, make sure the wipers are in good order, yes today is the day to do all of this as snow is due in a couple days, time to drag out the snow shovel and get it ready and get the parka and gloves, foot gear and such, make sure the fire wood is stacked and ready for those night when you sit by the fire because old man winter is on his way.

River

I just got back in from doing some of those things I posted earlier about and let me tell you its cold out. It that brisk crisp crackling cold that bites your hands, lips and nose cold. You know without looking at the weather even on this clear bright day that SNOW is soon to follow, WINTER has arrived, forget the 50 and 60 deg days until March or April, buckle down and dig in, its going to be a cold winter.

River

I walk my dog three times a day and will continue through winter. No matter the temperature or conditions we will be out in it. I bought a pair of Wolverine boots which have lugged soles and are waterproof. I rarely buy butch shoes but I think my feet can adjust. A far cry from Johnston & Murphy driving moccasins. Luckily I am fairly numb to physical stimuli unless temps are extreme. I have to remember to dress for safety of the weather and not for my comfort.

Tires are rotated and a few preparations for the car still need to be done. Living in an apartment there is not much I have to do. No need for extra insulation or weatherproofing needed. I will buy some foods that do not require cooking if power is lost from ice storms. An extra bag for the dog just in case. Change my bedding to the down comforters. Oh and a store of wine. I have some nice cognac if I take a chill or if I think I should have. I will be ready for winter and will be equally glad when it is over.

I can put my dog out on a line, which happens to come in the back door to the basement so out my kitchen door, on the porch, tie dog out, open outside door, let dog go do her thing, she barks when ready to come back in, open door, remove line from dog, open kitchen door, back in where its warm.

I never really need to go outside, Yes extra rations for pets first, me second.

River

Here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about Ohio...If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May, you may live in Ohio. If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't even work there, you may live in Ohio. If you've worn shorts and a jacket at the same time, you may live in Ohio. If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dia......led .....................a wrong......... number, you may live in Ohio. If "vacation" means going anywhere south of Dayton for the weekend, you may live in Ohio. If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Ohio. If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in Ohio. If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again, you may live in Ohio. If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you may live in Ohio. If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both doors unlocked, you may live in Ohio. If you carry jumpers in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Ohio. If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you may live in Ohio. If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -you're going 80 and everybody is passing you, you may live in Ohio. If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you may live in Ohio. If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction, you may live in Ohio. If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you may live in Ohio. If you find 10 degrees "a little chilly", you may live in Ohio. If you actually understand these jokes, repost this so all of your Ohio friends and others can see,you definitely do live -or have lived -in OHIO

Of course I have read some of this about other Northern states.