Sunday, February 14, 2021

And the beat goes on...

 

And by "beat," I mean this lengthy norther.  It was 38º when I got up this morning... it is up to 36º two hours later.  Seems to be going the wrong direction.

We went out to the coach to dump the fresh water in the tank earlier this week.  Emptied the water heater.  No way to blow out the lines.  The forecast was only a couple hours below 32º in Harlingen (near where our motorhome is stored).  Now, the weather weasels are predicting 12 hours or more of temperatures into the 20s.  For three out of the next 5 days.

I suggested we make another trip to the storage unit and put the trouble light under the coach - the heat of that light bulb should keep things warm enough to not freeze.  Joan said, "You won't be able to do that in the future... bulbs are now LEDs and don't give off any heat."  Good point.  I sure hope that bulb in the trouble light is still functioning.  Ah, the modern world.

This cold has been with us for days.  Looks to be another week or so of this.  This is longer than I remember any time in the past of cold hanging on this long.  Joan told me she isn't feeling any cabin fever... that makes one of us.  Yesterday when I went outside to check out our circuit breaker box is the only time I've been outside in a couple days... and it wasn't by choice.  And for less than 2 minutes.

It's Valentines Day.  I have warmth in my heart.  It is also the day we determined it would be Rufus's birthday.  Although we now think he is 4 to 5 years old, rather than the 6 to 7 based on that first vet's estimate.  He definitely warms our hearts.

Happy Birthday, Rufus!


-----

This is getting serious...

Getting dressed for heading to the storage unit, we both put on fleece-lined pants.  Joan wears hers occasionally, especially if we're riding the scoots in cooler weather.  I haven't had mine on since we were working in Friday Harbor - note the khakis...


This is why...


Yeah, 5 different "warnings" for this current weather.

--------

On tonight's local news: every county in Texas (254 counties) is under a winter storm warning tonight through Tuesday morning.  Below freezing here tonight.


2 comments:

Bob said...

Cap - buy a hog heater - safe and it will do the job. Put it on a thermostat and add some Reflectix under the heater. As at:
https://www.amazon.com/Kane-Heat-Regulated-Puppy-Livestock/dp/B005FYN1X4
This space heater is the one many of us use to lower freeze danger - cheap at $25 or so and I have never had one fail!!!!
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-500-Walt-Utility-Milkhouse-Fan-Forced-Portable-Heater-with-Thermostat-DQ1409/304914568
Last but not least, I use the pipe heating tape with a built in stat - as at:
https://www.amazon.com/Wrap-On-SEPTLS34731006-Pipe-Heating-Cables/dp/B0002YWM3M/ref=asc_df_B0002YWM3M/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198097979185&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=36428159356385951&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030746&hvtargid=pla-349427972853&psc=1
Bob Jarrard

Captain Jim and the Blonde said...

I appreciate the suggestions, Bob. We used to live in the frozen northland, so we are familiar. This is a rare winter storm covering all of Texas.