Why It's January but looks like July

It has been my observation for many years that winter here in the Pacific Northwest includes a period of time in February when the clouds part and the skys clear and the sun comes out. From inside, looking out, one is tempted to grab the shorts and sandals and head for the beach. It's not uncommon for it to be in the fifties during this period, so it actually is warm enough for those of us long enured to the Northwest definiition of "warm weather" to consider swimming or at least a beach fire and hot dogs.

This year, January has not produced the expected endless stretch of clouds and rain - and snow in the mountains - but has instead made a futile attempt to imitate the February weather. The difference now is that we may have clear skies and semi-balmy temperatures, but you need to be about four hundred feet tall to appreciate it. That's about the depth of the layer of air that is trapped beneath an unusual layer of warm air. The classic, and very unpleasant, thermal inversion.

The entire Puget Sound basin has been subjected to a layer of cold air, made even more unpleasant by the fact that with the low clouds and dense fog, there is never a chance for things to warm at all. This mess is expected to continue until Monday night when it appears an inbound impulse with start to flush things out to the east. By Wednesday, if we're lucky, it will be raining. If you had any ideas that I might not be a deeply-died Northwesterner, hear this - I can't wait for it to rain!!!

It's been a busy week...

I was temporarily disconnected from much of the routine of life over the past week as we've been planted in Harborview Hospital in Seattle for the first of two surguries for Jamie. As the youngest in the clan - at eleven - she's actually found much to enjoy from this multi-day stay since she is now the absolute center of attention for a large group of people. She's now to the point in her recovery where she really enjoys being surrounded by so many people. I suspect, when she returns home on Monday, she'll expect this "Queen Jamie" treatment to continue. And, for a while, I expect it will. We're just very glad that things have turned out so well for her. Part 2 of this is scheduled for the end of February.

Suzanne has refused to budge from the hospital throughout this so I've been relegated to life of bacherlood and zookeeper. This solo existence requires that, among other things, I deal with all the poo generated by the collection of animals at home. I have to say, I was unaware of just how much poo can come from three cats, a dog and a guinea pig. Among other things, this is a reason I'll be happy to have Jamie and Suzanne back home.

To all of you who kept us in your prayers and thoughts the past few days, thank you. I believe it had a large part in how well this has turned out.