All cold on the uk side of the pond!!

[Hedge]

Well, the ice continues, and as it thawed a bit midday yesterday we ventured out in the car to do a supermarket shop = madness! The roads were rutted ice and in town, slush, but the loonies were out in force at the carpark, not being able to see the bays, they were parking in lines nose to tail. This would have been ok except someone decided that parking on the side about ten feet behind our car was ok - it meant we had to do about a seven point turn to get out of the bay (on snow and ice),and then a further turnaround to get to the exit. (maybe this should have gone in the rant column)

tonight is supposed to be at most - 10 deg C

[Daethen]

Well, if it makes you feel any better, we got 7 inches of snow yesterday and today we will have a high near 20F and a low of 2F. With wind chill it should feel 10-15 below.

[Hedge]

Well, not feel better, but sympathise!! How do you keep your plants going in conditions like that?

We have small conifers in the garden that are bowing over with snow that has frozen to the ground, so they can't spring back - I've lived here eleven years and that has never happened before. I think the biggest problem that Britain has as a whole is that most parts of the country don't get weather like this more than once a decade or so, so we don't have snow shoes, tyres, four by four vehicles etc as a matter of course, because we don't expect it.

Plus our gardens are suffering because someone said global warming would bring us Mediterranean summers and wetter warmer winters - so a lot of people have planted up gravel gardens with what are proving to be tender plants. I don't want to get into the whole climate change debate here, but whatever is happening and whyever it's happening, the predictions weren't much use to the suburban gardener in Britain.

[Daethen]

We have to bring some tender plants in for the winter. Some can take being left in the garage unwatered others need to be inside. We cover roses and similar plants with lots of mulch to help them winter over. Those that are bowed over we either let deal with it themselves or try to help break them free to some extent. Those that are inside get less humidity and more attention than normal. I like to think that it is time for inside gardening! We expect this EVERY winter so we do have 4x4s and snow tires here. Either that or we have to hibernate till spring. The kids were out just loving it yesterday.

I really hope all your hard work outside isn't ruined. Keep us posted on how you are holding up. I am just dreading for the really cold weather to get here.

[Hedge]

You know, Jonada, I think hibernation may just be the right idea! It may also explain why I'm so sleepy all day, which is not like me at all, usually I'm on my feet and busy all day.

Do you even bother with a green house for your plants, or is it just too cold in Wisconsin? Am I right in thinking Little House in the Big Woods is set in Wisconsin - my sister loved the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, and I remember their winters were far worse than anything I've ever experienced.

good luck with your winter. Unless the planet really is going "to hell in a handcart" as my Dad says, we should get a thaw before mid December, which will mean mud and fog and probably rain. ~On the whole, apart from the parlous state of the roads at this time, I prefer snow!!

[Daethen]

There is a syndrome (one of about a trillion) that has to do with lack of light that may explain your tiredness.

I do not have a green house at this time, but SOOOO want one. But, you can't get just any green house to help plants survive in our winters. Therefore, cost is problematic.

I am not really sure if the Laura Ingalls books were set in Wisconsin or not. Wouldn't doubt it though. I know the winters here are not as bad as they were when I was a young pup.

My father also thinks the world is going to hell in a handcart and I am really starting to believe him. However, our thaw won't come until March or April. I'll trade you weather for a while in Jan!!!!!! I want to keep my snow for Christmas.

[Hedge]

I Wiki 'd LIW and Little House in the Big Woods is set in Wisconsin.

I don't think I have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) the usual description of feeling tired at this time of year as I am not in any way sorry for myself, just tired since the snow came - I think it's the sheer physical effort of putting snow to one side on the paths and walking through it with the dog!!

[Daethen]

You are probably right. Lots of exercise and fresh air will put anyone into a great sleep. Is the dog enjoying it?

[Hedge]

Yes, but she's very annoyed at having to dig out her tennis ball, she loves to chase it and bounds through the snow. She also loves to roll in the snow and the coat she wears has to spend the rest of the day drying on the radiator!

[Connie Star]

Nary a flake here in Western Massachusetts, but I'm sure our time is coming.
One model of climate change that I have seen is that Europe, particularly the British isles and Scandinavia are going to get colder, if the Gulf Stream upwelling gets disrupted- whatever that is, it is supposed to be what keeps Europe much warmer than the equivalent latitudes in North America.
It's global climate chaos.
I hope you get nice sunny weather that slowly melts the snow.