Flower Power

With temperatures in the upper 90s (°F) and dewpoint in the 70s, walking around outside felt like we were swimming in lava singing our nose hair with each inhale. The dog's tongue was already dragging along the ground before she walked outside. Of course, it doesn't help that our place is usually 10° warmer and more humid than the outside temperature and humidity during the non-winter months. 

Day 360/365

Partway into our walk, I felt a few stray globules of moisture hit my face. It didn't even amount to a drizzle. Did I imagine this? The sidewalk didn't show any evidence of rain. With the heat, however, the rain probably vaporized before it hit the concrete. 

Day 360/365

As I took photographs of flowers that seemed to thrive in this tropical heat, at least they looked a lot better than I felt, I noticed evidence of droplets here and there. The rain wasn't my imagination. Yes!

I suppose it could be worse. To put this into perspective, the Midwest, e.g., Kansas, Oklahoma, are experiencing temperatures in the 100s for nearly 2 weeks straight. However, I must add that their humidity is sitting at 30-40%; whereas, we're sitting in the 60+%ile range. I'm sympathetic to the soaring temperatures in the Midwest, but high humidity even at cooler temperatures is oppressive.  

- Cassaendra

Red Leaf

What a rough start for this plant in the midst of this heat wave -- 96°F. Whew!

Day 353/365

The color of the leaves remind me of red ti leaves, where only the perimeter is red and the center is green. These leaves unfurl asymmetrically from one another, unlike ti leaves. I've been unsuccessful in finding the name of this probably common plant.

- Cassaendra

Showers of Flowers

Another unusually warm day in mid-March with temperatures in the mid-80s (°F) where normal highs are in the mid-40s. 

Day 261/365

This week is considered the ideal time to attend the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC as the blossoms are at their peak concentration this week. It was almost a year ago when we packed Akemi for a day trip to view the cherry blossoms. Temperatures were in the 20s then!

How quickly time flies. Once again, I am also reminded of our fleeting existence.

- Cassaendra

30 Degrees

Typical of spring, the temperatures can fluctuate from day to day by 30 degrees (°F) or more. Yesterday, walkways were devoid of human life. I suppose that is a wee bit of an exaggeration. It still annoys me that I only see a few dogs out when there is a chill in the air. There was a glimmer of life pulsating along suburban sidewalks as temperatures were in the 30s.

Day 252/365

Today, much like the weather two days ago, temperatures were in the 60s, sunny with a light breeze. If people weren't sunbathing at their local coffee shop tapping away at their laptops or cell phones, they were probably scrubbing their grills judging from the scent of lighter fluid.

- Cassaendra

Spring Forward

Mid-spring arrived on Thursday with temperatures in the upper 60s (°F). Barren planters along storefronts seemed out of place. Although, in these parts, a few more sputtering bouts of snow are expected over the next two months.

Day 249/365

While we walked Akemi later in the afternoon, we met at least 30 dogs when we typically see only 5 dogs or less during standard winter weather.

Funny? Weird? Sad?

- Cassaendra

SOS

The same old message, day after day. 

Day 243/365

The past few hours, our television has been beeping out a wind warning with gusts as high as 48 mph through tomorrow morning. I don't hear a thing!

- Cassaendra

Leopard and the Snowman

With clear skies, several hours after this picture was taken, the snowy lawn became a [mushy] field of green. In that time, we shopped for groceries and filled our bellies with delicious Indian food -- butter chicken, goat curry, lentil curry with ginger and coconut milk.

Day 238/365

Our grocery run consisted of supplies for cha gio (Vietnamese spring rolls), mabo tofu, crab rangoon, and kimbap, meals we will be making through the week. Tonight, we did a trial run and made a handful of cha gio. The recipe needs tweaking, which we will revisit in the next few days.

Day 238/365

Overnight and throughout the day, icy tendrils stretch earthbound as time dripped onward.

My plan over my lunch breaks this week is to finish up Jo Nesbo's "The Leopard." Despite having had this book for nearly a month, I prefer his latest novel over his previous, "The Snowman." I don't recall references to his previous case when I read "The Snowman," however, halfway through "The Leopard," I've already come across several references to "The Snowman."  

- Cassaendra

Surprise

I passed out at around 21:15 last night to rain with occasional gusts that rattled the windows, and woke up this morning to a surprise. Snow had fallen overnight.

Day 237/365

Akemi was extremely happy and trotted about shoveling snow in her mouth at every opportunity.

Day 237/365 - flaky like a croissant

Even after nearly 4 years, Akemi still barks at snow shovels and plows, people with bulky coats, and large hats...basically, everyone we passed today.

Day 237/365 - eating snow

Odd stuff distracts her from feeding and sniffing, I suppose.

Day 237/365 - more infrequent shots not of the back of Akemi's head

With a mild winter and spring likely to arrive earlier than expected, Akemi and I savor every fun moment (snacking and taking pictures, respectively) before the dreadful heat of summer is upon us.  It seems Bug isn't quite as fond of the snow anymore, sighing every time Akemi eats snow and I stop to take pictures.

- Cassaendra

Frosty

Day 229/365

Vanilla shakes are my favorite. B Spot's vanilla apple pie bacon shake hits the spot after a burger. I even enjoy the Shamrock shakes at McDonald's. Right now, I want a Frosty (malt shake) from Wendy's! :)

- Cassaendra

Red Velvet

Day 224/365

This morning, I was in the mood for a slice of red velvet cake. Guess I got my wish...sorta.

Bah, who am I trying to kid? Every few days, I daydream about eating moist red velvet cake with cream cheese icing.

- Cassaendra

Moonwalk

Day 223/365

Winter returns with a blustery alooooha! Minuscule granules of snow have been steadily swirling and whipping from all directions like a shaken snow globe since yesterday afternoon.

Since I took the day off on Friday, we ran our usual weekend errands during the day stocking up on groceries for the week before the snow hit the fan.

- Cassaendra

Lemko Dome

Day 219/365

With the relatively warm weather we have been having with temperatures in the 40s and 50s (Fahrenheit), today's upper 30s with occasional gusts feels like autumn. I should have stopped by Civilization across the street for a cup of coffee.

When I shop for my next light jacket, I hope I'll remember to buy one with a hood that has a drawstring. It doesn't make sense to have a hood that doesn't remain on my head under whisper faint breeze conditions.

- Cassaendra

Nice is Boring

I thought I'd write about "pleasant" weather for a change. 

Day 213/365

I am not a sun worshiper and the warm weather that comes along with it, but I can't help but smile when it is in the 50s and 60s (Fahrenheit) in late January and early February. It's almost warm enough to go for a swim.

- Cassaendra

Flip Flop

Yesterday, it snowed the first half of the day.  By mid-afternoon, the snow disappeared. This morning, it was sunny and clear.

With the sun's rays beaming unobstructed and the relatively warm temperature this afternoon, we decided to stop by Target to pick up a box of tea. When we arrived at the register to pay for the 9 items we suddenly decided we had to have, Bug suggested that I take a look out the window.  

Day 210/365 - Waiting for me

It took a few seconds for me to register the wall of white. The weather flipped, as if someone pushed the lever to the next image on a View Master. The car was blanketed in white fluff as if we were in the store for hours.

When I carry my camera, I tend to lag behind to take pictures. With icy gusts roaring, Bug wasn't about to foolishly stand out in the open waiting for me. He sought shelter from the wind at every opportunity.

Day 210/365 - Caught up

Akemi appeared unaffected in her thick winter coat. Actually, she enjoyed chasing after the leaves and rubbish that raced by.

I am excited about one of the books I picked up today, "The Art of French Baking," because I adore madeleines, macarons, and choux pastries.  If the recipes work out, I'll write about them. Hopefully I'll have an opportunity to take some pictures of the results before they are gobbled up.

- Cassaendra

Schizophrenia

"Schizophrenic" best describes our weather this winter -- 50s Fahrenheit one day, then 20s the next day.

Day 209/365

We woke up to warm temperatures just above freezing with a feather-like snowfall over the span of several hours. By mid-afternoon, the snow machine ceased blowing, the snow had almost all melted, the wind picked up intensity, and the temperatures dropped into the 20s Fahrenheit.

Day 209/365

Aside from creating a picturesque winter wonderland, road conditions were slick which resulted in an abundance of automobile accidents judging by the nearly continuous wails of emergency sirens all day.

Day 209/365

It was a nice day to remain locked away at home.

- Cassaendra

Sunflower

Day 203/365

Akemi enjoys the best of both worlds - sunny, warmer weather and frolicking in the snow.  It was ~45°F (7°C) this afternoon.

We spent a part of our day sealed up in the darkness watching "Red Tails," a movie about the 332nd Fighter Group, better known as the Tuskegee Airmen. At the start of the film, it felt like this was going to be a waste of my time and money, rife with hokey scenes, cliches, and cut-out characters. As the turbulence settled, I was able to enjoy the movie, despite playing by the numbers.

"Red Tails" was not a horrible movie, but the movie should have been a lot better to honor the real people, the struggle for acceptance, and the monumental achievement this was to have portrayed.

- Cassaendra

Sneaky Shiba

Day 200/365

Akemi loves fresh snow because she gobbles a lot of unsanctioned snow snacks. It comes with a side of scowling Bug scolding her the entire walk.  She doesn't mind.

- Cassaendra

Frosty

Day 197/365

To keep warm, people dress in all sorts of ways with scarves, hats, or hoods. Sometimes, it's all of the above. The snow machine has stopped briefly with rain in the forecast the next few days, followed by snow -- rinse and repeat.

Day 197/365

Akemi eyes the empty park bench between sneaking snacks of snow clods.

- Cassaendra

Zoo Music

Continuing with the winter wonderland theme...

Day 196/365

When I saw these branches, it reminded me of a reindeer -- at least my recollection of reindeer antlers from my visits to the zoo.

Thinking about antlers reminded me of the bunny ears (television reception antenna) we used when I was a kid, prior to cable television, are using, and the aggravation of having to rotate them when the connection weakens. ARGH!

- Cassaendra

Snorkler

Were you expecting exotic fish, colorful coral, blue rubber fins, a swim mask, and bubbles in the warm water of the tropics?

Day 195/365

To describe this picture, "snorkler" was the best I could do; snow + sparkler.

Snow has been flying since last night. By flying, we are experiencing gusts of wind that feel like they've traveled through a wormhole straight from the Arctic Circle and through our skin like neutrinos. My fingers went numb without gloves in just a few minutes.

Okay, okay, the ambient temperature is only 21°F (-6°C), not quite as cold as the Arctic (-29°F). Yeeesh!

- Cassaendra