Unseasonably Cold

It was 18F (-8C) when I left my house this morning of December 9, 2010.
The projected high temperature is 25F (-4C) today.
I was listening to the weatherman who was explaining that so far in the month of December, our temperature has not yet risen above the freezing point and that temperatures are significantly below normal (duh).

A few random thoughts:

• The road crews have been busy applying salt to roadways. As a result, cars are covered with gray salt splatter and the car washes likely expect to do a brisk business as soon as people want to see their car's original paint color again.
• There are fewer Christmas decorations outside houses (including mine), since the frigid weather makes it so much tougher to string the lights, etc.
• People will be in for an unpleasant surprise when they receive their utility bills, as the heaters have had to work overtime to keep us warm.
• The walking trails through the woods where I go to stretch my legs are so much quieter these days - even the animals seem to be staying under cover.  I expect most creatures see the "walking fool" and wonder why in the world he goes on his walks.

Things will likely change tomorrow, when the temperatures are expected to rise a few degrees above freezing and what falls from the sky will be liquid instead of frozen -- though of course it will certainly freeze later, causing slick roads, heavy, ice-covered tree branches and all sorts of other "un-fun" conditions.

Parting thought: only 16 days until Christmas!