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January 12, 2007
Baby, It's Cold Outside!
But there's nobody here, but us chickens . . .
The projected overnight low here tonight is twenty-one degrees. It may get down into the teens over the weekend. I'm pretty sure when I lived in Wisconsin, that would have qualified as a freak January heat wave. Here . . well, my news buddy just forwarded a special press release sent out by our county's public information officer on things to do (and not to do) during this EXTREME COLD WEATHER EMERGENCY!!!!
That's right. Twenty degrees overnight is AN EXTREME COLD WEATHER EMERGENCY!! The Yolo County Office of Emergency Services is warning us because "exposure to extreme cold temperature can lead to significant health issues." So, apparently, can extreme stupidity.
Therefore, we are being warned to use extra blankets (can you say "duh!"), let the pets sleep inside, have batteries around for flashlights and NOT TO BRING YOUR BARBECUE INSIDE.
My family is pretty much poor white trash, but even we wouldn't bring the barbecue inside.
But now, I have to confess my real concern. I'm worried sick about Renee the Chicken. Sissy #1 has chickens (see comment about being poor white trash above). They have one chicken, in particular, who refuses to go into the coop at night with the other chickens. Every night, when the other chickens are being herded back into their coop, Renee takes off and heads into the trees. I really can't blame her. That coop doesn't smell particularly good and, to be honest, roosters are a bunch of freaking rapists in my opinion.
We've had a lot of giggles about Renee the Renegade Chicken, especially after Cowboy started doing a clucking version of Mel Gibson's "Freedom" cry at the end of Braveheart. Now, it's not so funny. Would Renee rather die of exposure than give up her freedom? I think she might. She is, according to my niece, totally hardcore.
So, think warm thoughts for Renee this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes next week.
Posted by Eileen at 7:00 AM | Comments (11)
Comments
When we lived in Seattle, we had all the newscasters on TV and radio warning us to "take care of your elderly loved ones!! Keep them cool!! Dire emergency!! Heat stroke can be FATAL!"
It was going to get up to 80 degrees.
Seriously.
It's all relative.
Posted by: Alesia Holliday ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.literarychicks.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at January 12, 2007 9:47 AM
I'm sure Rene will be fine. After all, chickens have been around for much longer than the chicken coop. And while they are brainless they have survived. And I'm sure being cold is a lot better than being fried, baked or grilled.
And here in the south it's pretty much panic sets in if one snow flake falls. Forecast? Snow? Quick run to the store and buy all the bread and milk because we might be snowed in for..gasp...a day. Seriously. It's like a grocery stampede. I grew up in the snowbelt so to me its all hohum. But still I would love to see some snow. And I already have milk.
Posted by: cindy at January 12, 2007 10:13 AM
In lovely Ohio people freak out about a snowflake too. The weather man thinks it is a blessing to just have rain... Who thinks that??? I want SNOW! lol
Hope Renee can get along with the other chicken long enough to be able to stay warm in the coop.
Posted by: Kimberly at January 12, 2007 11:30 AM
Sissy #1 was actually talking about capturing Renee in the dark and putting her in a cage inside the house to keep her warm. While I really wanted a video of my sister sneaking up on a chicken in a tree in the dark, I'm not sure it'll work.
LC Eileen
Posted by: The LC Eileen at January 12, 2007 12:59 PM
Well, it's California. People who live in this area clearly didn't want to live somewhere where it gets REALLY cold.
On the other hand, (a) I have no car, so I spend a LOT of time outside, and (b) the construction of my apartment is far more ah, summer-ish than winter-ish. So, yeah, I think I'll end up whining a bit this weekend, as I crank the electric blanket to nuclear while wearing 3 pairs of sweats :P
Posted by: Jennifer at January 12, 2007 4:35 PM
Let's not forget how wardrobe impaired I've become after living in Arizona for seven years and then California for six. I don't actually own a "winter" coat. I just layer up when it gets cold or we go some place frosty.
LC Eileen
Posted by: The LC Eileen at January 12, 2007 6:59 PM
Yes, it is a tad brisk out there tonight. We went out for dinner and the temp gauge in the mirror was registering ICE... California does seem to get a little hysterical when there is any fluctuation in either direction on the temp scale. However, this summer was no joke--we had several heat-related deaths here because many folks were caught unprepared.
And I don't care where you live, temps in the high teens/low twenties is DAMN cold! Pipes burst, animals freeze to death, and the fruit and nut trees suffer a lot of damage.
Oh, and Alesia? Same goes for San Francisco. My friend will call and whine about how it is SO hot and he's just going to DIE if it doesn't cool down. Yeah. It's 85 degrees. Get over it already! Try living here in the valley with temps in the 110+*--then we'll talk about some heat!!
I like the cold weather myself--and i would love some snow too, but it hasn't snowed here since I was a kid (and no, we AREN'T going to mention how long ago THAT was!) *grin*
Posted by: Sheri at January 12, 2007 11:29 PM
Sheri! You must live at least kinda sorta near me!
LC Eileen
Posted by: The LC Eileen at January 13, 2007 8:18 PM
I think I'm allergic to cold weather. At some genetic level, my body insists on building up a super-extra layer of fat to protect me from... smaller, cuter clothes?
God, how I miss the summer! I crave hot asphalt, heat waves and sandy beaches hot enough to burn your feet.
Summer feels like a million days away. :(
Posted by: Delilah at January 13, 2007 10:42 PM
Knocking on your back door, Eileen! Just a hop skip and a jump to Modesto.... *waves* Can we just say "BRRRRR"?!!!
Posted by: Sheri at January 14, 2007 1:07 AM
I'm practically in your backyard, Eileen--just over the way in Modesto....I was going to come and see you recently at some book store in Sacramento, but the hour and half drive in rush hour just sort of made me go, "Um, not today." Not after driving the bus all day. Let me know when you have something on a Saturday and I will drive up--I'm usually off on the weekends.
Posted by: Sheri at January 14, 2007 1:11 AM
