Dang, it’s cold, gray and dreary in Houston today. The rain is icy and the temperature is just below freeing. Now for those of you who are experiencing tons of snow and abnormally low temps, that may sound balmy, but you know what? It shuts Houston down.
For the second time in a week, schools are closed or opened later, employees get an extra day off, city services except for emergency are unavailable, roads are empty, my tennis match and exercise class cancelled….boo! Why? Because of fear of icy roads, and they’re something with which Houston and its drivers don’t do well, so any time there is threat of real winter weather most everything comes to a halt. That’s a Houston thing, but I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Weather like this leaves its mark behind for sure, especially when it comes to plant life which isn’t used to the cold.
Hopefully, a little trimming and warmer temps will bring these back,
but I’m thinking my orchids have seen their last days unless they are hardier than they look right now. I know, I should have brought them inside, but it is so unusual to have freezing cold that I didn’t think about it.
After venturing outside to take these photos (yes, I was bored), I’m thinking it’s best to stay in today, maybe thread my loom or do something productive. Hmmm, I don’t know what that means for the dog!
i so appreciate you visit and the comments you leave behind
Lulu's Musings 
I can’t tell you how many plants I “forget” outside only to lose them to the frost! I am learning…slowly! 😀 Have a wonderful day!
So sorry about your orchids and the difficulty that the cold has brought all of my southern blogging friends. It’s hard to watch so many of you loose special plants and deal with the anxiety of it all. Sounds like it’s finally warming up down there.
Yes, I did get caught up with blog reading and Facebook too, yesterday. That is a first for me. Now, it is a new day and there is much more reading to do. Still staying put until this afternoon when the ice should be melting.
Everyone I know has relatives with horror stories in Bham and Atlanta. There are so many I can’t keep them straight. Unbelieveable!
I am not sure about some of my scrubs making it after the ice has them bent over. We will see. I don’t think your orchids will make it. Sorry.
Crazy weather… Some of my plants are not doing so well either… We had a couple of days down to the forties…
We had 2 inches of snow last night…the schools are closed again tomorrow (Thursday) as the temps are dipping down to 9 degrees tonight and the slush will turn to ice…Thankful that the city administrators of the Triangle area were very prepared and no major problems…kids dismissed very early and businesses closing early…I feel badly for the people of Atlanta that were extremely affected by the snow and ice and lack of preparations by their city govt officials…I am sure they learned much from this disaster.
Lulu, I found you over at Amy’s blog…and wanted to come and say hello. I see you are in Houston!! My daughter and only grandson live there! I post a lot on this city because of all of our visits there to see Little Man. It is hilarious how they panic about something that is so little compared to what the other states are suffering. So nice to meet you.
So glad you stopped by as it’s always fun to become acquainted with another WP blogger. I look forward to more of your posts, too.
It’s an Austin thing too. And really even though it seems like mild weather for other parts of the country, it really is dangerous. I spent a large part of my life living in the Midwest and am used to horrific winters (why do you think I moved to Texas). But I would venture that it is perhaps just as dangerous if not a tad more here. We don’t have the emergency vehicles or road crews needed to help the situation. Roads are icy and they stay icy, they don’t get salted and taken care of as they need to be. So yeah…I’m totally with you on this one!!
I think the concern about driving conditions is why everything in this part of the country shuts down meaning it’s best just to stay put.
It has been a crazy winter. No school here today, but roads weren’t bad. It was bitter cold though. Not a day to be out and about. Stay warm!
Crazy indeed! I haven’t ventured out except to walk the dog and that was quick!
Got a message from my brother in Dallas about the huge drop in temperature from Sunday to Monday! Stay safe!
Crazy, one day it’s 65, the next it’s freezing.
You are right, a cold snap here is an amazing thing to behold on the local news! I love the cold and enjoy snuggling down with a quilt and a good book. Most of the garden will come back with some warmer weather but I don’t hold out much hope for those orchids.
You are probably right about the or hoods and that makes me sad because they’ve been around for a while, blooming year after year without too much help from me.
School’s closed here tomorrow too. Folk were/are stuck in traffic, trying to get home and running outta gas. I do declare, I’d be crying like a baby if that were me.
I’d be crying, too, especially if my heater was broken as well.
Not sure they will survive fingers crossed they will be OK, mine are getting ready to bloom in my warm living room 😦
Lucky you! If mine don’t come back, I will replace them as I love their blooms and how long they last.
🙂
Schools are closed in Austin today, too…
Kids must be loving their extra vacation days though they’ll lose something later in the year.
Icy roads are horrible! I think driving on ice is a lot worse than driving in snow. Stay safe!
No problem, I’m not leaving the house today though, as it turns out, the roads are not icy, at least not around where I live.
Im a little surprised. U usually manage to find so much beauty in just about anything. I would have thought you would have posted photos of a pot of delicious bubbling soup, or comfy toasty socks and big warm blankets. This weather is a chance to be warm and toasty under blankets and read a great book. Having lived in the Panhandle-and loving the changing seasons-I love this weather. It makes the Spring so much more special. One of the things I’ve always missed here in Houston is the true change of the seasons. Some of us don’t have vacation homes in Maine-so this weather is that much more special. Watching the news and seeing the delight on the kids faces as they play in the cold weather is a lovely treat
I do have a pot of soup bubbling on the stove as this is a perfect day for it. Like you, I love changing seasons and appreciate each one for what it offers. I just get a kick out of how we in Houston respond when days aren’t perfect. Goodness knows, a lot of folks have to deal with much more serious weather days.
Hey Linda! Yes, it’s a good idea to stay in today. I’m off until Thursday; the City of Picayune is closed.
Sent from my iPhone🌴♻
Crazy weather there, too?
Sad for your Orchids Linda!
Me, too, as they have survived and bloomed with benign neglect for several years. It will be interesting to see if they come back.