When you see, over the next few days, references like this to “areas in the South unaccustomed to prolonged cold spells,” think of places like Fairhope, Alabama. It rarely freezes here, and when it does it’s usually a brief dip into the high 20s (Fahrenheit, -2 or -3 Celsius) for a few hours late at night—not even enough to form a skin of ice the cats’ water bowl. And usually these spells only last a day or two. But we’re reportedly looking at five or six days of this. We’re not used to it, or prepared for it—at least I’m not. I don’t even own a winter coat, so my dog-walking getup is something like t-shirt under sweatshirt under flannel shirt under rather thin jacket.
This morning the little beach near my house was littered with smallish dead mullet. I don’t know if the cold killed them or not but circumstantial evidence would suggest it.
The cats referred to above, by the way, can get under the house, so they’re ok. Though I’m thinking of rigging up a light down there for extra warmth for the next few nights; they’re too uncivilized to spend the night inside.
I know, this is nothing compared to what people in truly cold places are experiencing (Anja in Finland reports -24C/-11F). But I do feel entitled to complain that my 1992 Volvo, made in Sweden, has an inadequate heater.
Light On Dark Water 
Leave a comment