POLAR VORTEX TURNS KEY WEST COLD

 

Yesterday was the first time I ever heard the term polar vortex. I assume most had not heard it either.

I was sitting at the kitchen counter. Writing. The glass sliding door leading to the water was open behind me. It was 4 in the afternoon. It started getting cold. A distinct chill. I could feel it in my bones. The wind started to howl.

By 6, it was really cold!

It was the polar vortex. The same polar vortex that had been making the north cold the past couple of days. It had stretched into the Florida keys.

The temperature dropped. It was 80 degrees mid afternoon yesterday. By midnight, it was in the high 50s.

All the morning talk shows today and the weather channel explained what the polar vortex was. Each a wee bit different. I listened and did a little reading also. This cold affecting us is actually Arctic cold air. The polar vortex is a ring of wind that surrounds the Arctic and keeps the Arctic cold confined. Somehow the vortex got distorted. I am not sure what that actually means. In any event, the cold Arctic air has descended on all of us in eastern Canada and the eastern U.S. seaboard. The last time this occurred was some 20 years ago. In the U.S., that is. It happened last year in Europe.

The temperature in Key West  during the night dropped to 57. The high today will only be 61. Tomorrow, we will be into the high 70s.

What a difference as day makes!

Italy celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany yesterday. Really the Italian Christmas. Santa Claus comes and delivers presents to children. Coal to those that have been bad. Except Santa is not Santa. It is a witch who rides on a broom stick. Her name is Behana. Italian families gather and enjoy a huge meal together.

Florida/Auburn last night! What a game! Florida State won 34-31. Auburn had nothing to be ashamed of.

I had planned on watching the game at Don’s Place. The cold was upon us. I said screw it and watched the game from the warmth and comfort of my bed. With a huge quilt covering me.

Syracuse plays Virginia Tech tonight. At Virginia Tech. Syracuse’s first ACC game away from home. Game time is 9. My blog talk radio show is at 9. My game plan is to do the half hour show and then rush over to the Sports Pub to catch the second half of the game.

The blog talk show is called Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. A fast moving and revealing half hour of current events. My slant on each is shared, of course. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

The World Upside Down appears to be selling. I received e mails from four people in four different parts of the country yesterday telling me they had bought the book and were reading it.

The book continues to be available for purchase from Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.

I have some errands today. It will be long pants and a leather jacket.

Enjoy your day!