Outdoors In Negative 14 Degrees Fahrenheit – A Personal Record

Okay, I did have images of me stepping through the sliding glass doors this morning and literally freezing through and through, like I had been hit by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s version of Mr. Freeze’s ice rays in one of those early Batman movies. But the human parts of me are a lot more resilient then you (or I) would expect. Even when I removed my work gloves outside because I didn’t have the dexterity otherwise to open the meal pouch, my fingers didn’t freeze and snap off, although once off I found it impossible to get them back on so I just tucked my now empty hands under my arms and retreated back across the property to the house. I have to say, the stars were especially bright and twinkly in the frozen night sky.

I think the last few days of experiencing the zero to -8F range had prepared my body for this morning’s outdoor experience. What’s an extra -6 degrees between friends.

But Claire and Honey had suffered through the night without complaint, so I was intent on getting out there right after waking – a little earlier today at 1:45 am. I can’t help but worry.

Claire was in the barn doorway and Honey back in the stall area under the heaters, as expected. Both seemed comfortable enough. When I located their rubber bowls in the darkness to either side of the barn’s opening, they were solid as stone and the remnants of the mules’ last meals were frozen around each inside rim. That freeze had to occur rapidly given that the mules normally chow down their fruit/veggie meals in a few minutes.

But nature only needs a few minutes to throw her curve ball. Test your resilience.

For example, in the few minutes it has taken me to get back inside and as I write this it’s dropped another 4 degrees.

But I just checked through the window and the mules are refueled and back in the relatively warmer barn.

The good news is that there is a small flock of red wing black birds sleeping in the barn rafters, which is smart because that’s where what little heat from the heaters will rise to. I’m glad they could find shelter from the cold. I noticed them slipping in and out of the barn throughout yesterday, like barn swallows, stopping at the mule’s bags and bowls to pilfer easy pickings. Two were sitting peacefully on Honey’s back like those birds that ride on Hippos. But this morning was so cold outside that they all roosted quietly in the rafters while I went about my duties. I didn’t even look up directly at them because I didn’t want to spook them. I could feel them all holding their collective breath until I left.

I know my gas boiler in the house is cooking, as I can hear it humming just above the pitch of my tinnitus. But the house is still cold enough to require my 5 Sons Safety sweatshirt to remain comfortable. And I still have all of the basement faucets releasing their thin streams of cold water to keep the pipes from freezing up and bursting.

My body shudders on occasion as if it is trying to shake off the residual cold from outside. And my legs still feel a bit cold from their outside experience. But all my body parts are moving comfortably.

And the best news is that I don’t even need to wear a hat inside.

So I count my blessings that I have a warm(ish) home and the other conveniences to keep me sheltered from this record cold.

My prayers are with any creature who is outside tonight for any extended period.

Well, now I have to get upstairs and check on the kitties. Mittens will no doubt appear out of the heated bunker as soon as the front porch light comes on. Hopefully Smokey will appear from her barn across the road when she hears me fussing about in the Jack The Spruce magic grotto. Sound travels around here, especially at night.

It seems that if I heat the wet cat food in the microwave for 30 seconds before delivering it outdoors it stays edible long enough for the cats to snap it up. The bowls of hot water also stay in liquid form long enough for the kitties to get some in them.

Anything leftover is brought inside for Blue to finish off like a cat food popsicle. Nothing is wasted. The frozen water in the cats’ dishes becomes ice cubes in Blue’s water dish.

But, as with the mules, I have to put out more servings for the kitties during the cold spells. Food is fuel for their bodies heating system. I am willing to do my part.

So, hopefully you fine, five readers are reading this from the comfort of some place warm. I’m hoping this cold spell breaks sooner rather than later.

The good news is that no matter what the temperature, Monday is behind us.

Let’s all face the new day with that in our back pocket.

And whatever else we do today, let’s make it a great one.