As you can see from this screencap I took last week of a local Edmonton TV weather forecast, virtually all of Western Canada has been under an "extreme cold warning" along with parts of British Columbia and Ontario. Oh yes, it's the beloved annual Polar Vortex when frigid Arctic air descends from the Far North, overstays its welcome and makes all our lives miserable.
This year the Polar Vortex lasted over two weeks. Daytime highs in the -20 to -30 C range. Nighttime lows in the -30 to -40 C range. Then add windchill that makes it feel 10 to 15 degrees colder than the actual temperature.
Good times!
Unlike my recent Tarot Haute Couture post, there is nothing magical, ethereal or whimsical about Polar Vortex Haute Couture. It's all about warmth, baby, and staying alive. That's what counts.
For some unknown masochistic reason, My Rare One takes a one-hour walk every day to achieve a goal of 5000 steps. A daily walk outside, no matter the weather.
Here she is last week --
Quite apart from her down-filled parka, two pairs of pants and thermal winter hiking boots, My Rare One keeps her head cozy warm by wearing a big fur Russky hat overtop of a baseball cap (so its brim will shield her eyes from the wind), with the rest of her face swaddled in a huge knitted infinity scarf. I believe there are earmuffs under there as well. No frostbite for her!
You can see the very chic Russky hat more clearly in this next photo. Doesn't it look like there's a raccoon or some other animal perched on her head?
Oh and what about ME, you ask?
Do I accompany her on these walks?
Are you serious?
Thankfully, the Polar Vortex should be gone by tomorrow and we'll be back to seasonal temperatures again. In other words, nothing below -20 C. YAY! It will be so nice out that I won't even need to plug in my car block heater anymore to keep the engine from freezing!
[Selfies © My Rare One, February 2021]
50 comments:
Darling Debra,
Ice ice baby.... it looks that now even if you have to move to Siberia you will still be able to survive. For that we are truly grateful.
But, darling D, with motor car engines in danger of freezing, the only haute couture worth wearing being eskimo clothes and a wind chill factor that would make even a thermometer freeze over, have you thought about a move to warmer climes?
Stay warm. Stay in.:):)
@ Jane and Lance Hattatt -- Believe me, EVERY Canadian thinks about a move to warmer climes, LOL! But apart from the winters, Canada's a pretty good place to live.
I’m with you. The -20s with wind keep me inside!
if she just had a chow chow to pull along with her it would be perfect!
I need a warm sunny day,
Are you SURE that's her???
@ Bob -- Ha ha, good point!
I wonder if your Rare One and San Geraldo are related. But, are you sure she's in there?!?
Rare One's outfit had me in stitches.
Hahaha
A girl needs to get her daily steps!!I applaud her dedication, but I have stopped doing my runs now that the temperature are so low here in Chi.
It's seven degrees outside right now. Not counting wind chill. I'm going to look up something on youtube to exercise. I'm not stepping out. Not even the cool Russky hat is an enticement.
XOXO
Well she certainly looks bundled up enough to withstand those freezing temperatures! I'm with you though, staying inside where it's warm and cozy and waiting for spring. 33 days, baby.
The weather is crazy everywhere right now. I agree with you, you couldn't pay me enough to get out in that kind of weather!
If only there was some way of keeping that polar vortex from crossing the southern Canadian border....
Hello Debra, I just read the latest article about polar warming. It seems that if you wait a few more years, you will be able to tend tropical orchids outside during February.
--Jim
I can't believe you let her go outside like that. Do you want her to freeze to death?! Get some layers on her!
I have never experienced cold like that and find it difficult to imagine. No wonder your Rare One is dressed up so warmly - is that her front or her back?
your rare one is brave and smart to go outside. I'm with you; fuzzy slippers and a snuggie!
When I'm watching our weather here in the midwest, the weather people point to the northern US and talk about how coooold it is up there. They don't even mention Canada. Cracks me up sometimes. Especially like now.
I like a walk on a chilly day as much as anyone, but I'm not as hardcore as your Rare One. That's a level of dedication to which I aspire.
She looks so well bundled! I can't see her eyes, but I assume she's able to view the road on her walks, yes?
:D
It's the wind chills that'll kill ya every time. It's supposed to warm up to 0 Celsius here by Friday, so many a BBQ on many a patio will be fired up again - YAY! I love the smell of woodsmoke and steaks in the morning!
YIKES! That's cold!
I don't do cold.
Then again, I don't do hot either lol.
Me and my fuzzy socks will just stay inside too thanks :D
I want a Russky hat too. David has been outside removing snow from the sidewalk and steps. I'm in my warm woolies a sweater with 2 pairs of socks and Monty Python Killer Bunny slippers. It's a lovely sight to behold. I feel sorry for the people in the big cities here in Texas without power. We only had two minor blackouts yesterday and none since. I'm betting everyone goes out after this and either buys a gas or propane generator or looks into going with solar panels. We have solar so this blackout didn't bother us.
Haha. As long as we start believing, it's all good...and snuggly by the heater, with a warm cup of cocoa.
With that get up, she doesn't even need to mask up!
This is where I can over look the wearing of fur in these kinds of temps. Real fur is incredibly warm. But overall I frown on fur. A friend of mine gifted me a rabbit fur scarf...and it's the warmest scarf ever...I sweat! But I rarely wear it...and it has got to be frigid for me to wear it. I think Rare one is smart to layer up....but just keep those temps up there will ya?
Yay! We are definitely on the upswing! I think I'll go out for a walk since it will still be about -10C when get off work. A nice change from the last week or so.
OMG! that is just toooooo cold for me.
Lucky for me I live in Southern BC so most of the time we are toasty although it did get down to -26C overnight in some areas close to us I think we only got down to about -12C. It's warmed up even more this week and right now its about -2C outside at 4pm.
Did you look under there to ID her?
Burrr! I've been hearing all about the cold from my Calgary family. Oh, my sister Donnie walks in Calgary like your Rare One. Not me ~ LOL. I've been wearing my housecoat inside with the furnace and fireplace on all day. I have 7,000 steps so far today, but then I'm ADHD! Stay warm, Debra!
I can't believe I used to bundle up to go out walking in Maryland, no matter how cold it was. Now that I've been in Florida for 11 1/2 years I don't want to go out when it's 60 degrees.
Love,
Janie
And there's now a coast-to-coast snowstorm here in the States. If it reaches Mexico, that's the whole North America continent!
Where I live (Southern New England), I don't venture out for my walks if the temps hit teenage years. Instead I'll go to the local mall to get my 6,000 steps in. I think the last time I did a walk in that cold of temp, it took me quite a few hours to thaw out enough to feel my hands and fingers.
Your post brings back memories of our time in Alaska. One of our villages was on the Arctic Circle. Here in Maine we have only had below zero weather at night for a couple of weeks, with day temps in the single numbers. The weather predictions show a warmer pattern starting next week.
We know how to handle cold weather; but the people in the south U.S. aren't prepared. There have been numerous deaths - they are scared and suffering.
You and yours take care
the Ol'Buzzard
Not funny in Texas these days. They are simply not geared for it. Lie we would be if we had weeks of +40C in summer
Hi Debra. There was a time that I'd revel in these days of cold and wear it as a badge of Canadian honour. Those days, I am not ashamed to say, are behind me.
So, when you're through with the Polar Vortex, please return to sender rather than send it south. We're not handling the cold very well as it is.
And here it keeps raining, darnit.
Those strong Ukrainian genes protect her! Meanwhile, your strong Canadian walls protect you...
You quite sure that's not a neighboring kitty on her head? They have to keep warm, too..
Very wise not to go out at all in those temps. Even breathing through layers is not very good for your lungs. Fuzzy slippers win every time.
We have had some dealings with that Polar Vortex thingy but we haven't been in the single digits yet this year..Our teens keep bouncing back to the occasional 40's..74% of the USA is under snow..A new record.. more tonight..It has been a dismal winter..Having to walk Mollie three times a day, I'm so glad I don't have to deal with those temps as well..I guess your rare one doesn't have to worry about wearing a mask LOL
When I first saw the picture, I thought it was taken from behind. I didn't see the eyes until I looked again. That is cold!
the entire state of Texas was shut down basically. I thank the Goddess never lost power. which cracks me up cause all the Catholics lost power..
I wish I had the energy to go for a daily hour long walk. Best wishes for a great day.
Although I don't like cold weather I wouldn't say no to living in Canada. We don't experience much really, really cold weather but we have recently had some minus temps and snow. When walking Rufus I was dressed very similar to your Rare One, tights under trousers, vest, fleece and coat, a woolly hat over a baseball cap, lovely warm gloves and a scarf wrapped around my face! This morning it was almost balmy!
I admire your Rare One's discipline! I enjoy going for walks too, but there are limits to my ability to enjoy the cold.
I have to admire your Rare One’s ability not to let ANYTHING get in the way of a walk! I’ve been known to walk rugged up in the wind and rain, but our weather NEVER gets to Canadian levels!
I hear you Deb! It has been cold, but you know what, I love it! I know, I'm crazy! LOL! Your Rare One is amazing! Keep walking through the cold???!!! Good for her! And, I have to say, I don't know how she sees, while she is walking? LOL! But, she looks amazing!!!
I shudder merely at the photos !
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