January 2014 COLD

Mark did push around a lot of snow

Mark teaching breaking

Snow on Snowhenge

January stretched out longer than ever in 2014, with the cold temps and generous snows making the month seem to last forever.  Perhaps this is an actual law of physics:  colder equals longer?  Starting with a polar vortex which closed schools and caused odd freeze ups and ending with a second round of very cold weather, January meant huddling down, painfully cold vehicles when folks did venture out and then shortages of propane and worries about heating costs.

Mark got a lot of cold exercise wrestling with the tractor and plowing often.  The piles around the yard are high, the driveway still holds an icy underlayer, and Coffee has decided to hibernate for the winter.  Of course the better insulation for his box in the garage might have encouraged that.

Naturally, in the coldest weather, Mark’s business took him to Minnesota, instead of to the south.  The trip to Minneapolis involved a return through very bad road conditions with cars blindly following tail lights at about 30 mph instead of 65, but Mark did a great job of driving.  The longer time in  Rochester was especially nippy, but featured easier driving.  Hilde got a lot of needlework done since touring or walking was not really appealing under those conditions.

Mark led a seminar on Successful Breaking over in Waupaca one afternoon, which was both fun and informative.  Hilde always enjoys hearing Mark explain physics in the simplest terms and then demonstrate how it applies, and Waupaca Taekwondo has a beautiful facility with attentive students..

Being inside so much inspired Mark and Hilde to clean out a couple closets (taking stuff to Dime and Dollar) and get in a lot of reading.  Those hefty Christmas books were entertaining in the long cold nights.  The snow swirled beautifully out in the yard, and slowly but surely the day length increased.  Hilde’s Dad had a problem with his foot, but is healing up nicely and in general the family is doing well.  So 2014 is off to a good start.