Posted by IsoM on March 3, 2003, at 14:46:21
Here, I'm basking in balmy sunny weather & everyone back east is freezing their buns off! I couldn't believe how bad it is. But I'm not rubbing in our warm weather. I spent part of my adult life on the prairies where the temperatures sometimes dipped to -40 (F or C, same number) & that was *without* the wind chill. I remember the bone-chilling cold. If you didn't cover your face, you could feel the inside of your notrils freeze. Our furnace broke down one winter night that was record cold. Thank goodness, we had an old cook wood stove to fall back on.
I'm feeling bad for all of you back east & wish I could send some warmth your way. While people may be able to keep protected, please be aware of any pets who may normally stay outside. I was horrified at the cats & small dogs I'd see on the prairies who had their ears frozen & fall off. Smaller short-haired dogs & cats could easily freeze to death outside - shelter or not. Before I knew what even brief cold could do, I let my kitty outside once during the day for about 5 minutes. When she came in, the tips of her ears were limp - the beginning of frost bite. Never again would I let her out when it was real cold.
On the new this noon, I heard that Toronto may even turn off the hydro on rotating short shifts due to power shortages. They're asking everyone to use only needed power around late afternnon/early evening. They're asking people to turn off unneeded lights, not to run clothes dryer/washer or dishwashers then.
I'm not so sure we're getting global warming with what Man's done to the environment. More like seriously screwed up weather world wide.
Make hot toddies or hot chocolate everyone & stay indoors! (And here Victoria had its annual flowering count that's done at this time every spring - over 3 billion blooms around the city.)
poster:IsoM
thread:205551
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030301/msgs/205551.html