Wednesday, January 8, 2014

What Polar Vortex?

Staying inside and I am doing OK.

My daughter and her family, who live in the Monterey Bay area of California, visited us during the Christmas holidays.  Because of the large snowstorm we had, they delayed their return for a day.





At 5:30 am on Saturday morning, they left for home when the temperature here was a bone chilling -6 degrees.

The next afternoon they sent me these pictures.



7 yr. old Poppy "in the moment.".


Everything is Zen in California.

However, back in Pennsylvania, Baby Buddha, in my not so Zen garden, is freezing his buns off.

59 comments:

  1. Oh so very cold!
    I don't know how you guys handle it.

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    1. We will survive. Predictions are that we will have 60 degree weather in a few days so we have something to look forward to.

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  2. Well its rain and floods, rain and floods here in UK, I think we're all going to sink !

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  3. We haven't seen the sun for days! Looks like they enjoyed the snow, for a short time anyway.

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    1. They did enjoy the snow, the freezing cold and winds though were another story.

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  4. Been following your weather on our news - sounds horrendous. Lovely pictures of your grandchildren. Keep safe and warm and roll on 60 degrees

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    1. As you know Molly, we all have to suffer a little pain to more appreciate the good days. In some ways though, it is a little exciting to have this weather, as I have never experienced it before.

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  5. You're so funny! I lived in MA, CT, and NY (with relatives in PA), so I know what you're going through. We once had 4 feet of snow covering our old home's split rail fence and had to dig our way out from the front door. I was little and just had fun building a snow fort, but I bet it was miserable for adults who had to work, buy groceries, etc. Drink hot cocoa and stay under blankets!

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    1. MA, CT, and NY are further north and usually much colder. However, they are glorious in the spring, summer and fall.

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  6. We have been hearing news stories about your weather so it must be bad indeed. Hope your power stays on - that's the main thing. Or you could always move to California! :)

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    1. My casual attitude would be different if we had lost power.

      Since I don't surf and could never manage to get in and out of a wet suit, I will stay in four season Pennsylvania (however cold and hot it gets.)

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  7. Wow...in the snow one day and in the surf the next.

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  8. I'm glad they are wonderful people you love, or I would think they were just mean!
    Keep warm.

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    1. They come here looking forward to the snow. Mother Nature more than delivered.

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  9. Keep warm and dry. Have been watching it on our news. Looks horrendous.

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    1. Some places were worse than others. Compared to Minnesota, we are tropical.

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  10. What a fine looking family! They appear cheerful so you must have let them indoors sometimes.

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    1. After 15 minutes of getting them dressed, one was back in the house in 5 minutes. That is 4.5 minutes longer than I would have lasted.

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  11. I like having four proper seasons. Who needs Palm Spring?
    We get very little snow in London but it when comes it always causes major chaos! I hope you are coping well over there - keep smiling!
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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  12. I am coping fine on this January 8th. If this continues on till February 8th, maybe I will consider Palm Springs, Bazza.

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  13. Love seeing the wet suits while we are wrapped up in sweaters and scarves. Stay warm!

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    1. You can't go in the freezing Pacific without a wet suit. No place is perfect, Bonnie.

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  14. Gorgeous - and I would prefer the snow. Melting here, and I find it soooo much easier to get warm (and stay that way) than to cool down.

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    1. That is why I prefer spring and fall. No extremes, unless we get a tornado or hurricane.

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  15. Oh my - talk about extreme weather changes!!! Your family is beautiful and the pictures are just wonderful -- the photo of them in the snow is just stunning!

    Your note about your little granddaughter who knits has just touched my heart -- you must be so proud of her. You tell her that if she ever needs any help -- at any time -- with anything knitting related -- I am here to help her.

    Love,
    Vicki

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  16. Polar Vortex...perfect name! In the 1950s, our severe winters then were called the "mini-iceage".
    Saucy grandkids--teasing you with the beach and sun!

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  17. Polar Vortex: the opposite of the hot air above Washington (DC) which has a powerful impact on the whole country. Or somethig like that.

    Glad you had family home for Christmas! Also glad they survived.

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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    1. I wish the cold air could cool all the hot air in DC, but I think hell would have to freeze over before that would happen.

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  18. Poor Baby Buddha! I think it's your turn to go visit your beautiful family! Though it was freezing, I'm sure they enjoyed spending a white Christmas with you. Happy New Year!

    Julie

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    1. We go out there in summer to get out of the heat, Julie. We have lovely springs and autumns though.

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  19. Talk about a shock to the ol' system... frolicking in the snow one day, and splashing in the Pacific surf the next. Reminds me of when I left frigid Baltimore in February of 1970 and got dumped out of the plane onto tropical Hawaii for my hubby's R&R.

    Is that the first time your grands got to experience snow? It's beautiful to look at, but I trust you were happy to do your looking through the window? With a cuppa something hot in your hands.

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  20. Hi Susan,
    They come here every year to visit and play in the snow. Mother Nature almost always delivers. However, this year she has been way too generous.

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  21. Ahhhhh....Arleen! Brrrrrrrrrr! Is all I can think to say! You guys certainly have been copping it up that way. It's pointless for me to say "stay warm", because no doubt you are all rugged up and not getting your nose frozen to a crisp. I hope the weather warms up soon for you. Take good care. And I hope 2014 treats you kindly...and warmly. :)

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    1. Maybe spring will arrive early. There is always hope and miracles do happen.

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  22. Hi Arleen,

    Ah yes, what's this about a polar vortex? It's bordering on tropical over here in England. Warmer than California. Okay, slight exaggeration.

    Delightful family photos, even the baby Buddha :)

    Gary

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  23. beautiful pictures! my daughter had the opposite experience. she came home to sunny so cal for the holidays, then went back to the frigid cold of ny! brrr.
    wags, bailey unleashed

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  24. Looks like our house….minus the great kids….but today we have rain and the snow is disappearing fast….too fast…now it is a real mess…glad I don't live by a river…Hi to ALL!!!! Love!!!!

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    1. Rain here also and temps in 60s, Chris.

      A little more than two months till spring.

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  25. Ah well; you win some, you lose some.

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  26. Ha HA love it !
    The surf board photo of your granddaughter meditating, so cool.
    Your daughter looks just like you.

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    1. Zen is a good state of mind.
      That baby Buddha is cute. It is not too cold today here in New York, but it is poring. Stay warm and dry.

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  27. What a lovely set of photos, the snow one of the family is beautiful although I much prefer to be in warm sunshine, splashing in the sea - faint hope at the moment!

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  28. Dear Arleen, that "Arctic Vortex" surely made itself felt over much of the United States and affected so many travelers. Unlike your garden Buddha, I didn't have to be out in the chill and so for two days I didn't do my twice daily walk. But yesterday the temperature was a balmy 63! Can you imagine? That's over sixty degrees warmed than the week before. I think weather changes like that are hard on the human body.

    I hope all is well and that you are at peace.

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  29. OH how funny! Love the pictures of your sweeties especially the beach ones. haha
    I don't know how in the world you are able to manage those kind of temps.
    Girl I have been having a pity party at 19 degrees. lol
    Thank you for your sweet comment about my daughter's engagement. As you know by my post I am over the moon happy for her.
    Stay warm and I so enjoyed my visit by here tonight.
    Love
    Maggie

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  30. We've had great winter weather this week -- no gloves! -- and I'm not ready for the return of winter next week. I'll be drooling over the California pictures soon. Salad, blogging and "Antiques Roadshow" are my usual evenings. Definitely needed to mix things up a little. Take care!

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  31. Ha! Enjoyed this and I appreciate it. For years I'd visit my parents in Green Bay, then come home to the south and get warm. Course, I'd put in over 30 years of freezing northern temps before I gained the warmth.

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  32. Ha ha. But he is Mindful as ever. Some nice things in here.

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