(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XSxFu2pkdC0/XqsgqncMlEI/AAAAAAAATLc/1HZ6wVrQjRIxee5Onieo07hzob_OFRLNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Some%2Bthings%2Blike%2B%25282%2529.jpg)

So very true!

May the sun shine upon you for weeks now!!! We're going to 62 today. Mostly a pleasant winter so far.

It was short lived, but had a chance to work outside a little cleaning up storm damage...though we have so much left to do.

This morning, it was pouring rain again, LOL

Record warm start to Chicago winter to continue this week

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-warm-winter-chicago-weather-20230117-k5uscjqx4nb7tb7hpinzpvjmny-story.html

It’s not you: So far this winter, Chicago has been abnormally warm.

Through Monday, the city’s temperatures are tied for Chicago’s fourth warmest start to the year. More incoming warm weather could push the record even higher, National Weather Service meteorologist Jake Petr said.

“It is certainly anomalously warm for this time of year,” Petr said.

The temperature reached 50 degrees at midnight Monday. The irregularity continued Tuesday, with a high of 41 degrees during the day amid drizzle in the northern suburbs and clouds.

Wow, you really do have a short memory!

The Pittsburgh area had its biggest snowfall of the season so far when a half inch fell that melted on the ground as it fell. Bring on some cold to freeze the mud. (http://www.aesopsretreat.com/forum/Smileys/classic/laugh.gif)

We're back to frigid temps again today.  Which means I won't be going out to work on storm clean up.  Possibility of more snow, and my bones are tired...

Again Democrats confuse weather with climate!

We're having early spring like temps here. No snow yet. One of my paperwhites  is starting to bloom.

4" more snow overnight and 24 degrees for a high!

I really would like one good snowfall and then melt real fast and get on to spring.

We got a "dusting" of snow yesterday.  Most of it melted on the sidewalks and streets, still present on the grass and bushes.  Nothing to shovel.

Getting close to 10 hours of sunshine a day sometime next week.

I generally believe we've turned the corner on Winter on Valentine Day.  There have been blizzards on Ground Hog Day and Valentine Day in recent history, but quickly warmed up and melted away in a couple days.  (https://www.aesopsretreat.com/forum/Smileys/classic/smiley.gif)

In VA, we get blizzards around President's day and sometimes as late as St Patrick's day.

We risk blizzards until June!

Wow....I'm a "I need sunshine" kind a gal. Would not survive a blizzard as late as  June.

The worst I have personally seen is 4 feet of snow in early May!

Once in the mountains, I experienced a sudden snowstorm with lightning which turned the sky orange!

In Montana, I've seen snow literally in July, LOL. 
I am sick of winter and need sun as well sunshine.  I have so much work to do outside it's killing me to stand by and not get it done. 

I keep praying that we'll have one entirely beautiful weekend before February so I can trim trees, but it's looking like next week we go back down to the 30's for the highs and more rain/snow/ice...ugh..................................................

A little warming would be greatly appreciated!

I feel like we are stuck in a cool spring pattern. Zero snow all winter...not a single flake. There's an historic place down the road from here with lots of daffodils in bloom.

Last weekend, we finally got Winter.  8" of snow.  Enough to get out the power snow thrower.  Then, quickly followed by bitter cold. My son went to the Groundhog event in Woodstock.  It let up and got mild for a couple days, then sub-zero Friday.  On our way to S

Spring with longer days and warmer temps.

Will get the lawn mower serviced or replaced...Got my road bicycle in the shop for new tires and a tune-up.  Goal is for 3,000 miles in 2023.

Just came back from southern California for over a month away.  I didn't think it would be so cold and rainy.  Now I'm back in Oregon today I feel a bit warmer but I know its not going to last long - maybe even snow at the end of the week.

Our chance for snow slipped on by, got nothing, and now a week of 50's ahead.

We are now well beyond 200% of our average precipitation!

nothing since the 8" 10 days ago.  almost all melted by now.  solar panels are free of snow.  days are getting longer.  now, if they could become sunnier.

arranged for lawnmower tune up, service.  old machine.  needs some work.

I just came back from southern Calif. after being there for just over a month.  I don't remember it ever being so cold at this time of the year when I used to live there.  I only packed a couple of heavy sweaters along with long sleeve lightweight tops and I lived in the warmer clothes.  Luckily my daughter and I are the same size and wear each other's clothes so I was ok and my lightweights never came out of the case.

You horrible polluter!

Why isn't your mower all electric?

you're absolutely right d2.  I make changes like that when I upgrade, improve or replace things. 

I replaced old 1960s technology with a high efficient gas heating system.  Heat pumps aren't an ideal option in our climate.  Cut my total annual gas usage by 40%.

Unfortunately, my city has some strict zoning codes, so I was only able to install a wind turbine 25ft tall in a residential neighborhood.  It's a small one that will only generate 8-10 kw on a good day. We then added solar panels on our roof, right after replacing/improving old roof.  Four days this week, they generated 14+kw on 10.3 hours of bright sunlight.  The two systems generated enough electricity, sent back into the grid, that I had credits to use in November, December an January.  My monthly electric bill is $10-$30.  Mostly taxes and other fees.  The credits are a use them or lose them basis.

Recently replaced 20+ year old refrigerator.  It should be 15% more efficient, according to Com-Ed.

Next on our list is our clothes washer and (gas) dryer.  And then the dishwasher.

The gas lawnmower does bother me.  It needs work that may be expensive enough to need replacement.  (the small engine mechanics charge $90/hour)
So, we will see.  $280 for repairs or $660 for battery lawn mower. 

And our snow thrower is gasoline powered.  Looks like I will get a second chance to run it this season. 

We also have a gas stove in our kitchen. 


NWS issues winter storm watch for McHenry County, snowfall over 6 inches possible
https://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2023/02/14/nws-issues-winter-storm-watch-for-mchenry-county-snowfall-over-6-inches-possible/

Don't shovel that snow as you will produce too much CO2!