18 December

Ice Station Cobra reporting in. Cold, VERY cold. Up early for Mass, showered, shivering and very cold. Hot coffee. Auxiliary heat on but too little to late. Repeating, VERY cold.

OK. SO HOW COLD IS IT ?

Why it’s SO COLD that we are changing the temperature scale. That’s right. We are officially switching to K FROM C for at LEAST the next 48 hours & perhaps longer.

Here are the frigid mornings numbers. Nine (9) C crib side, 11 in the Master’s Quarters on the deck meter. Downstairs a brisk 12. Outside, get ready, -9 C. MINUS on the C scale. This is causing the shift from C to K. Converted to the K (Kelvin) scale, that would be 264. For the retreads out there, that is 16 F as in Freddie.

Doesn't 264 sound much warmer ? I thought so and it does to me and that’s all that counts. And that’s the point. Forget momentarily that we are inching closer to ABSOLUTE zero (-273 ) when all molecular motion stops. We truly do have a ways to go for that but just saying. Mother Nature can be a bitch when she wants to.

So went to Mass and had a couple of scares. Father Dominic lost his place once, no problem but he has never done that. Followed quickly by a second, third and other such similar lapses & pauses. People were starting to look around in concern and I bowed my head deeply and PRAYED HARD he would & could finish the Mass and he did. That’s one.

Second and finally, I get to my car afterwards and no keys. Locked out. I checked all possible pockets & don’t forget it is so cold my bone marrow is screaming ‘do SOMETHING dumbass’.

Obeying, I bow my head to the wind & trace my steps back into the church and nothing until I get to pew 81118. There they are Thank God.

HAHA … SENIOR MOMENT !!

No and eff you Linda from Charlelston.

If I had on flip-flops and shorts and wasn’t wearing & carrying gloves, scarf & my heaviest coat, said keys would have been in the most convenient pocket.

But the thought did cross my mind; the momentary panic was very real but praying again saved the day. I am telling you Fans & even preaching to you … praying works.

So I am home, safe & thankful yet again.

Got about three (3) hours of ‘fun/free’ time before reporting to the grande orange box. Closing tonight at 10:00. Great fun. Did I mention that the hours today allow me to miss the Christmas party ? Hip, hip …

Other news & happenings … laundry is going, plants all watered, lunch or in this instance ‘dinner’ is made & packed.

Last night resumed second season of The Man in the High Castle. Most excellent viewing on multiple levels. I watched two (2) episodes after the Habs beat the Capitals from Montreal. Must confess to falling asleep before the end covered comfortably on the couch.

I may check, see & watch episode three (3) here next since I am very ahead of schedule but maybe not. Other priorities may bump it to a back burner or off the stove.

Today Fans, it’s all about heat & keeping warm.

Ice Station Cobra, ending report & out.