Humpday Happenings...

It's the middle of the week, and we're smack in the middle of this arctic blast.
As cold as it's been the past couple days, the worst is coming over the next 24 -48 hours.
And everything is pretty much in SHUTDOWN mode as a result. Schools, the airport, various businesses, the USPS... ALL not working today. Trash pickup is suspended and will be running a day late as well.

It wasn't me!

Make ni mistake, this IS a very dangerous scenario.
We're actually under a travel watch - necessary travel ONLY is advised.
Our Hoosierland weather for today bring us a high in MINUS numbers...that's right. Expect such numbers for the next day or so.

Yep, that's COLD.

Winds are still blowing about, making things worse with substantial double-digit wind chill factors. Skies will be partly sunny (no help there) and you might even see a flurry or two later.
As a result, we ALL get to find out what life is like if we were living at one of those bases at either pole.
This should garner a new respect for such hardy individuals.

Anyway, let's all get something WARM inside us to start the day (and our higher brain functions), as we see what else is going on.
*** First off of the tundra is our WHO SAID THAT? quote for the week:

"Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow." 
This is perhaps the best quote I could fiund that pertained to frigid weather, and it also calls into play the human condition.
So, WHO said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back in Joplin, Missouri...
*** Next, time for the "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
---It's National Croissant Day

(might need a few in my pockets to keep warm...heh)
*** Next up, and coming to the Jeff-Pointe AMC theater near us next month:
https://wpta21.com/news/2019/01/29/local-theaters-offering-free-screenings-of-black-panther/

Free showings (2 per day) of Black Panther from Feb 1-7...not too shabby.
And Disney is giving $1.5 MIL to The United Negro College Fund.
I'd rather kick back, and watch my DVD of the movie with NO distractions from other members of the audience.
(and yes, we have popcorn and other concessions) But, seating is limited...heh.
*** Next, so HOW cold is it? Let's see:
https://wpta21.com/news/top-stories/2019/01/29/as-deep-freeze-grips-us-chicago-will-be-colder-than-antarctica-this-week/
Colder than ANTARCTICA? Well, spank me rosy!
I think MARS has us beat (not by much...heh)

"I HEARD it was colder in Indiana, guys."

Guess those articles I mentioned in yesterday's post seem to have some honest credibility (read TRUTH) attached to them. Who knew?
*** Next up...How cold is it? - Part Deux:

---Only people like "Ed" and "Bob" have enough time to write their names in the snow.
---The hookers downtown are charging 20 bucks just to blow on your hands.

---Congressional hot air freezes.
---The lawyers and politicians had their hands in their OWN pockets.
----The local flasher was caught *describing* himself  to women.
*** Next, time to stop by "Kitten Corner"...

The kids did fine yesterday, and spent a little time watching birds, as I filled the feeder.
They did do some chasing about early on, but they tired themselves out and took to napping (before and after their meals).

I'd like to think they understand how fortunate they are to be indoor cats.
I just wish I could bring in the other two for a couple days, but that wouldn't work out well.
*** Next up, let's check in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...
Our furry (but not frozen) twosome both missed lunch yesterday, and that's fine.

As long as they come for breakfast and dinner, and they get some warm wet food in them, is all that matters.
And, keeping the water dish thawed a few times a day makes things interesting, as I had to brush the snow out from under the patio table where it kept blowing.

Hopefully, the shelters are being used. We thought about putting the cats in the garage, but there's no place for them to take a potty break, and there are items in there that could injure them.
Not to mention that any confinement might change their attitude toward us. Don't want to betray any trust, do we?
*** Last back to the planet Hoth...this is perhaps the most dangerous weather I've seen in my lifetime.

I remember snowfalls like the blizzard of '78, as well as some storms in the 50s, and none of that came with this bone-chilling cold.
Usually, on the east coast, we had some rough weather thanks to the proximity of the ocean, as well as the mountains (Appalachians) that kept any warm air from the sea from moving inland
But THIS weather in the Midwest is something I only used to read about or hear on the news.

Share a Tauntaun.

Now, I'm living it, and I can say that there is nothing I like about it...AT ALL.
When conditions exist that close down damn near everything in a city...THAT'S BAD.
What we all need to remember is that with such weather, we learn a whole new way of coping; a new paradigm as it were.
We need to rely on ourselves, and then one another.
And, most importantly, we need to rely on God to see us through all this.
After all, we don't want to learn EVERY lesson the hard way...do we?

It's damn cold, you sexy beast.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE (and warm) out there, America.