Thursday, Jan. 8

I suppose we could say the threatened warm-up has begun: it was only -14 this morning, rather than -22 like yesterday. However, the forecast high will only be -11, so it's not much of an improvement.

The continuing cold spell seems to be causing a slow-down in local events. Most of the news revolves around how the cold is affecting local events, i.e., with many cancellations or postponements of this or that.

There have also been a rash of house fires - about one, daily - caused by people burning inappropriate materials in fireplaces. In one case, someone put hot ashes in a plastic trash bag, and placed the bag outside - against their wood siding.

Unfortunately, two people have died in the last couple of days. It's a serious situation, and we can only hope that the weather foreguess is close to accurate. If so, it would mean a return to normal temps (high 22, low 10 above) by next week. The "normal" high would be 36 degrees warmer than we are right now.

As the cold permeates structures, the outer walls get colder, and furnaces have to work harder to keep the inside temperature steady. I noticed last night that my place was getting uncomfortably cool in-between heating cycles, but there's nothing more to be done about it now. We've insulated perforations (light switches and receptacles) in the outer walls, along with putting plastic membranes as additional weather-proofing on the windows.

We've checked the floor sweeps, weather stripping around the doors & sills ... and that's about all we can do.

The gas company reports record demand in the last few days; no surprise, there. But this too shall pass, and normal temps will return ... eventually.

Until then, bundle up, turn up the electric blanket, and keep on keepin' on!