Hey guys! Let’s talk about the weather. You might remember that I complained about doing my long run in the heat on Sunday, and then I was DEEPLY ANGERED that we got up to 90 degrees on Monday. I was literally sputtering all day “This is why we need to move! I can’t do 90 in January!” THEN…
A cold front blew through!!! Because I live at the bottom tip of Florida, it takes a lot for cold air to make its way down to us. We have to have a low pressure system, with a high pressure system up north. Then the air has to come straight down the peninsula. It it goes over the Gulf of Mexico or the ocean, it warms up before it gets to us. This time all conditions were perfect!
Let’s look at Sunday. THIRTY-ONE DEGREES. It has escaped no one’s notice that it would, theoretically, be cold enough to snow. The last time it snowed in South Florida was 1977. My husband was in high school at the time (right here in Boca Raton) and he said they looked out the window, saw that it was snowing, and everyone just went berserk and ran outside.
In reality, it’s very unlikely it will actually snow. But the kids are all hoping for it.
Let’s talk about reading! I finished this book:
This is the eighth book in the Cormoran Strike detective series. “Robert Galbraith” is a pseudonym for J.K. Rowling, who is my favorite author of all time. I KNOW. You don’t have to tell me- she’s a terrible person. I get it, but I still love everything she’s ever written.
I was so excited to have a new Cormoran Strike book. I bought it shortly after it came out, but was waiting for the perfect time to read it. In the meantime, Engie read it and mentioned that it was “boring.” WHAT??? I remember that Engie also felt The Running Grave needed editing, and I loved that one so, so much, so I took her opinion on this one with a grain of salt. But, while I read it, I kept an objective eye out for why a person would consider it boring.
Here’s the thing. These are real detective novels. Kind of like a police procedural, except that Strike and his partner, Robin, are private detectives. They delve deeply into every detail of the case, and some of my favorite parts are where the two of them meet for a debrief and hash out all the information they’ve gathered so far. I love that, but I can see how it wouldn’t be for everyone.
I do have to admit that the “will they or won’t they” aspect of Strike and Robin’s relationship was starting to grate on me- MAKE A DECISION, PEOPLE- and I had some frustrating moments in this book. But without giving anything away, I’ll say that the ending was satisfying to me.
THE KITTEN!!! Two other people who need to make a decision are my daughter and her boyfriend- they are in charge of naming her and so far she’s still “kitty.” In the few days she’s been with us, she’s gone from being a fragile little baby to a confidant, tiny cat, trotting happily around the house.
Even my husband is coming around. First dibs still goes to my daughter’s boyfriend, who is trying to convince his father. If he takes her, I’ll be sad, but I know she’ll go to a good home.
Have you read any of the Cormoran Strike books?
Should I get out my winter boots and snow shovel? – Hahahaha. Obviously I don’t own either of those.
26 Responses
KITTENS!! I love a kitty dagger tail.
I have to admit that I lost the plot in the Hallmarked Man and there were so many characters and my cheat sheet with notes was out of control and I need more guidance from authors in a mystery book that’s hundreds of pages than JKR is willing to give me. I think I’m out on those books unless people tell me it’s as good as The Ink Black Heart.
Yeah- I agree this one was convoluted. I’ll be reading the next one so I’ll let you know whether to read it or not.
You want some of our snow?
I want heat when I get there. Sorry.
The odds are in your favor- it will probably be hot in February. This is a seriously unusual cold front for us.
Kitten kitten kitten!
So tiny! So brave! I need a kitten, but alas,husband aren’t easy to convince.
I wish I could send you so w of my cold- we could use another 50°day like we had at Christmas. Is your son loving the cold weather up at northwestern?
I wouldn’t say he’s “loving” it. I think he’s enjoying the novelty, and if that’s starting to wear off, he’s tolerating it well.
Wow, 31 must be very unusual for south Florida!! Are you looking forward to it or awkwardly dreading it, after complaining about the heat?
I’d take too hot any day. At least up to 36-37C, beyond that it’s hard.
The kitten looks so cool, walking around the house all brave and probably full of mischief!
“Awkwardly dreading it” is a good way to describe it. Yes, I’ve been ranting against the heat and now I’m like “er, wait a minute, I didn’t mean I want it THIS cold!” But… I’m trying to arrange things so I don’t have much to do on Sunday, so I can stay home and be cozy. The cold is a fun event- I wouldn’t want it like this all the time though!
I actually didn’t realize the low was that low, but yep – my weather app shows 30 and I’ m south of you!! AHHHHH!!! I will actually been Philadelphia that day where I believe it will be like, -2. (But back for Monday’s low of 31. WILD!). I am skeptical as to whether it will REALLY get that cold but I guess we will see! Not sure the frost will be good for the plants. (Strawberry season!?!?)
Woo hoo, it looks like Kitty will either be staying with you or staying close to you with the boyfriend. I can feel those dads starting to thaw.
Macy Gray is my favorite gray cat name, but I am sure that your daughter & boyfriend will come up with something better.
I have a decent sized list of books that Engie and I have very different views on…but an even longer list of books that I’ve read on her recommendation and loved. Her yuck is your yum! As a fan of old movies, I’m very familiar with the “this person makes great art but they’re a piece of garbage” debate. There is no perfect answer, but I think that skipping her books when you love them would hurt only you, and would not help the situation one bit. I don’t agree with her views and I never got into any of her books, but it’s a fact that Harry Potter is here to stay. Enjoy the good and leave the bad!
That’s a great point- whether I read this book or not makes no difference whatsoever to JKR. No one could read her books again and she’d be just fine. Which kind of makes me respect her, to be honest. She’s obviously writing these books as a labor of love, and well I’m going to appreciate that!
I don’t own winter boots or a shovel either, but I do have a down coat that I bought for trips up north, it’s not supposed to be something I want to wear in Florida! I am eyeing it today, though.
Either way, the kitty is going to have a great home, but it’s nice that it’s settling in well with your household.
A down coat would be good for these early morning hours… by midday we would be roasting in it though. I’m looking ahead and the whole next week is going to be down to the 30s (!!!) or 40s at night. I don’t think it’s ever been this cold here for this long.
Oh, I hope you keep the kitty! She’s so cute, and if the other cats aren’t hating her, what’s the harm??? (Aside from food and vet bills and all of that…) She’s darling.
90 degrees in January is disgusting, I’m glad you got some relief from a cold front. However, a 60 degree swing in temps is a LOT. I remember when it snowed here, too…1976. It was my first winter in California after living in Fairbanks, Alaska for 5 years, and I had NO IDEA it was so unusual.
Ha ha…. you were probably wondering why everyone was freaking out about the snow! I seriously doubt it’ll snow here but, brr! 30 degrees is COLD!!!
I’m stuck on someone not owning a snow shovel. We have three snow shovels.
Kitten is so cute and I really hope you get to be her forever home <3
I couldn't get into the Robert G books because of all the swearing (and they were long), but the Harry Potter books are such incredible books and it has been so much fun to watch my daughter enjoy them as much (way more, in fact) than I did.
Yes, these books are LONG as there’s a lot of swearing. In this one, Robin decides to see a therapist and someone recommends one to her but cautions her that the therapist swears a lot. I can’t wait for book #9 where Robin is seeing her sweary therapist!
love seeing how kitten is thriving! are you sure you don’t have to keep her? what breed is her? her fur color Is not commonly seen
Oh, I definitely want to keep her! She’s going to the vet today so we’ll get more info (breed? age? confirming the sex!) She might end up with us… we’ll see.
I have never read those books or actually heard of them (that’s just a me thing- I’m not usually up on fiction at all…), but they do sound interesting! I can see how a good detailed mystery would be fun! Maybe I’ll have to try in the fall. I have read a couple of mysteries in the fall and that always feels like the right season, spooky time!
Ahhh kitty is so so so cute!!! I want to just quick fly down, come over and play with the kitty quick, and then fly home. 😉 (After hanging out with you, too, of course.)
Ha ha…. you can come down to play with the kitten! One of my daughter’s friends came over last night specifically to see the kitten.
Fall is a good time for myesteries! Maybe you would like Louise Penny? She’s very popular and people consider her a fall-ish read.
90 degrees is way too hot for January, but I can’t believe you’re dropping all the way to 31! We only get low temps that cold a handful of times in the winter, typically it’s in the 40s with high temps in the 60s/70s this time of year. But I guess we’re kinda swapping weather with you this weekend, as it’s supposed to be close to 80 here! As long as it doesn’t hit 90 until April, I’ll be happy — we have such a long summer every year that I need it to hold off as long as possible.
It actually snowed here 3 years ago on March 2! So it’s not quite as rare but usually only the mountains get snow, not the desert. It was really beautiful though while it lasted…maybe a couple of hours haha!
I hope you get to keep the kitten!
We NEVER get down to 30s- I mean it’s really, really rare. Even 40s is unusually cold for us in the winter. But this is good- I need a nice cold winter before summer hits.
I would say it’s about a 50/50 chance that we’ll keep the kitten. If my daughter’s boyfriend doesn’t want her, I’m pretty sure my husband will come around. He’s already softening up towards her.
Don’t own winter boots. Will my envy never end? The kitty is so stinking cute AND tiny. I’ve not read any of those books. Maybe I’m the only on in this boat, but I did not know/hadn’t heard that JK Rowling was a bad person. Huh. You learn something new every day. I did get a good chuckle at the visual of high school kids running outside to celebrate snow. Bah ha ha.
The weather has been officially crazy but the swing for you guys in FL is wild: 90s to the 30s, what? Maybe you do need to invest in some winter gear… haha, depending on how long that winter spell lasts (or can you just do the layer look?).
I am still hoping you can keep the kitty. She’s so adorable (looks a lot like my sister’s cat).
Sadly, I didn’t see snow flurries in St. Petersburg but some people around Tampa Bay saw them! It was CRAZY how cold it got on Saturday night/Sunday morning. I’ve never seen it get that cold here! This is the second year in a row that Florida has gotten snow, so I’m crossing my fingers that 2027 will be the year it finally comes to my door, lol. This morning, my car’s temperature indicator showed a snowflake!
Gah, kitty is so cute! What a smol little bebe.