Brrr

Our weather: It's 6 degrees this morning, with winds varying from 10 to 15 mph. My original intention was to drive to the Rabbit Creek range & do some recreational plinking. I received a new pistol for Christmas (thanks, Honey!) and would love to start breaking it in.

I have to ask myself whether I really want to stand outside & risk frostbite on my fingers ... and yes, I do (except for the frostbite part). However, I will let discretion have its way, and wait until next weekend when it is supposed to be 10 degrees warmer. There is a huge difference between 6 and 15, in terms of comfort & how long one can remain more or less sedentary while shooting. C'est la vie.

I may still go to the range - I have plenty of warm clothes, and a desire to punch holes in a paper target. It would be nice to find an indoor range that's less than 40 miles away.

More weather: My friend Doug in Missouri told me with was over 60 at his place yesterday. That's just too warm, and it's not right that it should be that warm in late December. There's always a risk, too, of violent thunderstorms (read flash flooding and tornados) when temps are all over the place, like that.

Of course, by relocating to Alaska, we've traded thunderstorms, flooding, and tornados for blizzards, earthquakes, and the occasional volcanic eruption. I personally believe we got the better deal, although your opinion may differ.

In other news: As a result of the snowfall on Christmas day, there were over 70 accidents, including a lot of ditch-divers, yesterday. Winds along Turnagain Arm were gusting to 75 mph, which doesn't aid in traction when the roads are already slippery.

I hope you have a great day - stay warm if the weather isn't, and let me hear from you.