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Long day today

After the water was taken care of, I took care of the critters, did some work in the shop and then did a quick run into town for some groceries and such. Early day tomorrow with the store buying run and working on the new business. Surf for a bit and then to bed. Got two taps running downstairs - 27.1�F and dropping. A little bit overcast so should not be quite as cold as yesterday. It could be a lot worse - a two-fer: First - from the London Daily Mail:

Canada is so cold residents are experiencing loud booms caused by 'frost quakes'
While America collectively freaks out over their impending 'polar vortex', Canada is changing the game when it comes to cold weather phenomenon as reports of 'frost quakes' emerge from around Toronto and across Ontario.

Indeed, as temperatures drop overnight to around -4f around the city hundreds of people are being startled by hearing large booms - causing them to think their homes are being broken into or gunshots are being fired.

In fact, they are merely hearing the after-effects of the frost quakes - or cryoseism - which are more commonly found on a glacier in the polar regions.

The phenomenon is caused when rain and ice seep down into the soil and then freeze when the temperature drops.

Makes sense -- the loam and sand form a variation on Pykrete. Stuff is really strong with high tensile strength and when it goes, it goes big. More here and here (last link to a MythBusters show on the stuff -- it is that strong!) Second - from The Florida Times-Union:

Rare snowy owl snowbird graces Little Talbot Island
Florida is known for its �snowbirds,� people who migrate here for the warm weather during winter months.

But another snowbird of the authentic nature has been sighted on Duval County�s Little Talbot Island, far from its usual Arctic haunts.

The snowy owl (bubo scandiacus) has been seen on the island�s eastern beach since Friday. This is only the third sighting ever in Florida, according to state officials. So this �very impressive� bird with big talons is drawing lots of people, Little Talbot park services specialist Peter Maholland said.

�Typically its range is Canada and the Arctic, and this is a rare sighting,� he said. �One of our local birders saw it and word got out, and people from all over the region and different states are coming out to see this.�

And you are still trying to run with that whole Global Warming meme? Bad scientist -- no biscuit! Posted by DaveH at January 5, 2014 7:49 PM