12 Things to Do Before Winter Arrives

Winter is Coming

We've had an unusually long season of warm autumn days and beautiful fall colors this year.

Today is October 22, 2022, and we have had a spectacular, unusually long autumn in Montana. It is about to come to an abrupt end, as this weekend is rainy, temperatures are plummeting, and precipitation will likely turn to snow by this afternoon or evening.

Thanks to the weather app on my phone, I realized our fall season was nearing an end and I began winterizing this past week. I reviewed a blog post I once wrote about chores that should be completed before freezing weather sets in, and I’m happy to report I’ve accomplished most of the tasks on my list.

It is a handy guide, so I’m sharing sections of that old post here with you today. I hope you find it helpful.

October 6, 2015: 

The weather recently reminded us that winter in Montana is almost here. On Saturday the temperature never climbed above 40 (Fahrenheit), it was damp and overcast, and the wind was fiercely cold. At one point there were even snow flurries, and icy bits hailed down. I was wishing I had remembered to wear long underwear under my jeans, as I watched my son's team play soccer.

Much of this week is supposed to be sunny, with temperatures in the 70's during the day. I am happy we will still have some warmer weather, however we have been fairly warned - the snow will soon fly and temperatures will plummet. 

I came up with a list of 12 things. Perhaps you should consider doing some of them as well.

Saturday Suggestion: On the next warm day, put holiday lights up!

Thinking about what to write today, I came up with a possible idea for a new blog series.

This series may not happen every week, but at least from time-to-time, I plan to offer a "Saturday Suggestion" for a helpful way to "make the most - - of a moment." Today's suggestion comes from my own concern that I may have missed an opportunity to do just that ...

Don't wait till it's miserably cold outside to string your holiday lights

I'm looking out at my snow-covered trees and property, and hoping the white stuff will melt.  When and if it does, I plan to scurry out there, and string my holiday lights, before it snows again.

I am still seeing a lot of snow outside my kitchen window!

I won't turn my holiday lights on until after Thanksgiving, but they are much easier to put up when tree branches are bare of snow; temperatures are above freezing; and the wind is not howling! I have ignored the voice in my head telling me to take advantage of perfect weather to work outside too many times. We

Wordless Wednesday: Winter is Here

And just like that ... we have winter in Montana.

 

What is the weather like right now where you live?

How "Bout This Weather?

Many conversations begin with, or at least eventually get around to, the topic of the weather. You have probably heard or said statements such as the following:

"How 'bout that weather?
Hot enough for ya?
Will this winter never end?
I'm so tired of rain.
It's so dry - our grass is just burning up."

Humans are fickle.  Perhaps because we cannot control the weather, we feel a need to complain about it. We compare our weather to that of other places.  We wish for weather we have experienced at different times.  We plan important events outside, and then worry and get frustrated if conditions are less than ideal.  We even sometimes talk about the weather as an icebreaker during an interaction, or just to have something to say.

I am attending a swim meet this week in Portland, OR.  Yesterday morning was chilly enough to feel cold - but by afternoon temperatures were soaring into the high 90's, and the sun beat down from a cloudless sky. Today, instead of complaining about the heat, I am going to study the pictures on my phone, which I took this winter.

View out our window in winter

Our deck in winter

Yes - it is sweltering now... but these photos reminds me that I wasn't happy-knee deep in snow with sub-zero temperatures!  If you are somewhere suffering a heat wave, I hope these pictures make you feel a little better.  When I consider the alternative of those frigid days, sweating under sunny skies doesn't seem so bad. If you love winter, perhaps you can use these photos as a visual aid to try and imagine yourself in the climate in the picture.

Happy Summer!  How ’bout this weather?!

Spring Soccer

We woke up to soccer weather this morning.

This is actually the corner of a photo I took last fall - but the sky is even darker today.  After I cropped this photo,  the mountains and clouds lost a lot of definition and now almost look like they were painted!

The past few days have been lovely - temperatures in the mid to high 60’s (Fahrenheit) and mostly sunny.  When I went to bed last night it was 44 degrees. This morning it is 37 degrees, very overcast and alternating between rain, sleet and snow.  Definitely a soccer day.  Spring soccer where I live can be a very cold, wet sport - for players and spectators both!

Today is the first day of the spring season for my son's club soccer team.  He plays - I just watch. We have been a ”soccer family” for many years now, and my son has played in a variety of club, high school and travel teams.  Remembering what it was like to be a new soccer parent or spectator, I recently wrote an article on Five Things You Should Take to a Kid's Soccer Game, and today seems to be a good day to share it on this blog. Just click on the link if you are interested in reading it.

This season my son is playing with a new combination of boys, under a new coach.  I'm looking forward to bundling up and watching them play!

What is spring soccer like where you live?

10/4/14 Note: The link for Five Things You Should Take to a Kid's Soccer Game has been updated, as the old link was no longer functional. I apologize for any inconvenience!