It’s Not Pretty Any More!

“As winds increase from a strengthening nor’easter, blizzard conditions will bring dangerous travel over the interior Northeast, while a wintry mix, rain and flooding continue to advance northward along the coast through Tuesday. The storm has forced a State of Emergency to declared in multiple states. Blizzard conditions with heavy snow, very low visibility and drifting snow will clog streets and highways from parts of central and eastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New jersey to much of Maine and New Brunswick.” — AccuWeather, March 14, 2017

Outside, “Winter Storm Stella,” as its been dubbed, is in full force. I was proactive this morning and took Gypsy (see I Have a Dog) out fairly early so we could get a good walk in before things revved up.

We went for a smaller walk in Deering Oaks Park later just as things were starting to get hairy. It wasn’t too terrible until we turned to head back across the bridge at which point our faces were encrusted by sideways, wind-driven stinging crystals of sharp snow.

We Might Want to Think Twice About This

No Squirrels (Or Dogs or People) Out Today!

Good Thing We Live a Block Away from the Park

Enough already! It’s not pretty any more! It’s lost whatever charm it had way back in January! There usually comes a point during the Maine winter when you feel yourself starting to slip psychologically over the edge. This could be the one for me.

STELLLLLA!!!!!

At least maybe I’ll be an origami master by the end of it (see Darned Socks and Origami):

It’s Cold

This morning’s brutally cold temperature of 7 degrees (“real feel MINUS NINE”) was slightly undercut by the presence of a bright rising sun (at least psychologically), but the brisk wind chill made for a bitter walk. Last night was worse — with a “real feel” of MINUS ELEVEN, walking around in the dark was a punishing experience.  The record high for this date was 59 degrees in 1974; the record low minus 4 in 1948. Just to give some context.

Walking with my dog in Deering Oaks Park this morning, I did experience a moment of sun-warmed bliss, but it was surrounded by moments of harsh discomfort. As mentioned elsewhere in this blog (see I Have a Dog), this dog is amazing. Nonetheless, she likes to go for long walks, seemingly oblivious to weather conditions, always eager to sniff and explore every oak tree, every hint of food, every tuft of grass.

The sun is brighter these days and a warm-up is expected soon. And at least it’s March, such as it is.

Featured frost bubble image courtesy of Pixabay.