Wednesday, January 28, 2009, Fairbanks, Alaska:  4:42 a.m., AST

Dear Journal:

All this talk about Global Warming has me thinking, especially since the temperature right now is minus 20 degrees.

The high today is supposed to be minus 15 to minus 5.  Tonight's low is forecast to be minus 25 to minus 15.  Forecast to remain below zero for the remainder of the week.

I haven't been out of the house since last week, when I had a doctor's appointment (regular checkup).  It was a balmy five degrees above.  Break out the shorts!  LOL

I'm starting to have a serious case of cabin fever.

When my husband comes in from outside, or comes home from work, icicles hang from his beard and mustache.  His face is as red as a cherry.  The cold doesn't really bother him; all he does is bundle up and go out.

He says it invigorates him.  It stalls me in my wheelchair tracks.

He runs five miles every morning, unless the temperature is not fit for man nor beast (negative 30 is his cut-off point).  If he has to work, he unplugs the car heater, opens the garage door, turns on the Jeep's engine, and lets it run for a half hour.  Then he's good to go.

I still don't know why he moved me up here.  Maybe I was stupid, thinking I'd be happier here, away from the hurricanes and storms of Louisiana.

The truth is, I'm not:  I miss New Orleans, the warm weather, the Cajun way of doing things.

It's just too remote in Fairbanks, and too damn cold!  I don't know that many people up here; I tend to stay indoors most of the time unless I'm with Frank.

A lot of the time, I am wrapped up in blankets, because I get too cold.  Anything below 50 degrees above is enough to keep me inside.

At least, I used to think so.  Anything above 10 degrees here is cause for celebration!!

Maybe it's because I'm in a wheelchair.  They were not designed to get around on ice and snow.

I keep tuning in to the Weather Channel, to see if we have any chance of warming up.  We're supposed to "warm up" to five below zero today, before it turns colder by the weekend.  Temperatures - for highs - are supposed to be in the minus 20 to minus 30 degree range.

*sigh*

While my husband carries on his normal routine, I sit by the computer, or by the fireplace, wrapped up like an Eskimo, trying to get my frozen blood moving.  I look outside, and that's all it takes:  I'm a solid chunk of ice.  Brrrrrr.

The trees are covered in ice.  The snow on the ground is rock-hard.  It really looks frosty outside!!  People here go about their business as though this is normal.  Frank is the same way:  it drives me nuts!

I wish I could sweet talk him into letting me go back south to stay.  But the memories of Katrina keep me here, as much as I don't like Alaska.

Oh, it's pretty and all, but too.  Damn.  Cold!!

Well, Junior is crying - I must go tend to him.  I will write in here soon.  Take care and may God bless you!  Just pray we warm up soon:  I can't take too much more of this deep freeze called Alaska!

WHAT Global Warming?!?  Step outside my door, and you'll think differently!!!

(((HUGS))) and love, your friend,

~ Kat.