Spring Heating Benchmark Missed

I missed my Fall heating benchmark last November: it got cold early, and we had to turn the heat on before Thanksgiving. I missed my Spring benchmark this month: it is remaining cold, and I wasn't able to turn the heat off on Valentine's Day. Anything blooming outside will get creamed this weekend!

How cold is it? It's so cold, the National Weather Service has issued a Severe Weather - Hard Freeze watch through Sunday morning, and we are expecting lows in the mid-20s for the next couple of days, and highs in the 40s. There's even talk about snow in the Central Valley! Normals for this time of year are 40s and 60s. I'm going to have to bring in the Plumeria and cover the Meyer lemon.

We've already had an unrelated 5-hour power outage, which could affect the temperature in the apartment if it happens again. We've got lots of food and blankets, and the water pipe outside is insulated. I have a knitting project underway. I guess we're good for the weekend.

Pestilence and Wannabes

It's my turn this month to host our book discussion group, which has no name. We are reading Geraldine Brooks's "The Year of Wonders: a novel of the plague."

Coincidental with my reading of this uncomfortably graphic account of a year in a 17th century English village plagued with the Plague, was the introduction into our household of a nasty, vicious rhinovirus which has progressively felled us, one by one. First, Daughter got the fever, blahs and cough two weekends ago. Last weekend, Husband came down with it: fever, blahs and debilitating coughing. Two days ago, it was my turn: fever, blahs, and coughing. So on Superbowl Sunday, our domicile sounds like a pest-house, with three people coughing, blowing, retching, and throat-clearing.

Contrast this with the weather outside: sunny, 70s, and glorious! Little white daisies are blooming in the park; young people are strolling by in pairs or are riding their bikes through the green belt.

I went out for a few minutes today and sat in the sun. Felt good. Hope we get better soon.