South Side Ramblings: Bomb Cyclone January

This weekend Meteorologists told us that our region (New England and the Mid-Atlantic) was hit by a "bomb cyclone," which I guess means extra cold temperatures. It did feel rather... February-ish. We had single digits for almost a week in a row, with our average daytime temperature 7.3 degrees Fahrenheit... Apparently this is the coldest start to January on record since 1904! Lucky us!

As most dog owners know... single digits make it tough on paws. Add in the copious amounts of salt sprayed on the roads and sidewalks, and walking becomes impossible. My guys are used to two walks per day, and regular hikes and jogs too so this weather has been tough for them. They've only had brief (and frigid) let-outs in the backyard. Cabin Fever is pretty high. Especially with Lela. You'd think that a young(er) Foxhound would be worse, but she has Ants in her Pants like you wouldn't believe. Poor Lela!*

Last weekend I went to see mi amiga Trace in Buffalo, and cajoled her into taking me to Hyatt's Art Supply downtown. I got a spiral-bound pad of Stonehenge paper, which is like velvet. And so this weekend, after shoveling the driveway and racing to pick up frozen doodies in the backyard before Joey could snarf them, I broke it out and worked on a Bromeliad drawing. It was the perfect tropical remedy to outside Bomb Cyclone temperatures.