[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHNJPsCDSqo&feature=g-like[/youtube]
(Guest post by Don’s wife Cathy:)
Ever feel like the extreme heat & humidity this past week (across most of the USA) was driving you nuts – not to mention being cooped up (in air-conditioned splendor, but still . . .) that whole time? Apparently this was also a problem for the intrepid-but-becalmed ship’s crew in Muppet Treasure Island! Thankfully, by the time you see this, the temperatures will have dropped to more reasonable levels (approx. 85 degrees Fahrenheit/30 degrees Celsius) in our part of the country – although readers of this blog on the US East Coast will still have to suffer for a day or two.
On weeks like this past one, I wouldn’t mind trading weather with our brethren & sistren in the UK.
Half the UK is under water!
(Although, unusually, not here in the West of Scotland, where it is just chilly)
(From Don’s wife Cathy:) Michael, chilly would suit me just fine right now; would 30*C be warm enough for you? (Too bad we can’t sell each other our weather, like I sell books each month on eBay!)
As one who has suffered through 15 consecutive brutal Wisconsin winters, which can last more than 5 months, I can identify with Sam McGee, famously the subject of Robert Service’s poem, ‘The Cremation of Sam McGee.’
Quoting the last stanza:
“And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar;
And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and he said: “Please close that door.
It’s fine in here, but I greatly fear you’ll let in the cold and storm—
Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it’s the first time I’ve been warm.”
(From Don’s wife Cathy:) I grew up in Wisconsin, Joe, so I can empathize with you and Sam McGee. (Doesn’t stop me from longing for a bit of cool weather in the midst of a heat wave, though 😉 )
My sympathy Cathy.
Down here in Godzone, its a beautiful winters day. Bit of a frost this morning – I’m soon to have my cup of coffee on my NE facing deck in warm sunshine, presently about 14 deg. C., no wind, gazing out over the Tauranga harbour and then to the Pacific ocean, with Mayor Island (Tuhua) in the distance 20 miles offshore – and the rest of God’s wonderful creation.
Its been a cool winter this year, but the weather generally has been fine and sunny, with a couple of days of wind and rain very couple of weeks – its what i call a good winter – cold and crisp frosts at night, and lovely fine days – arguably the best (and coolest) winter for a number of years; but we had a crap summer, so alls in balance.
So getting over my knee joint replacement operation (3 weeks ago) is tolerable if not a bit boring being stuck at home, but this week I’ll start getting properly mobile and driving again. Yay!!.
Glad to hear you are mending nicely Don!
Glad to have The American Catholic when I am stuck inside.
Sleet, snow, hurricanes, tornadoes, derechos, nor’easters, and stifling humid heat – yet you all persist in mocking California. (Paul Zummo, take note.)