It's Cold Outside

This has certainly been an interesting winter. Interesting seems like the best word to use. I am sure several of you could think of a more colorful term. It seems more like an old fashioned winter to me. Having lived my first twenty two years in very northern New York, also known as the Canadian border, I remember snow on the ground and sub zero temperatures from November to April. I know I have been spoiled, however, by the many more years I have spent in sunny southeastern Connecticut.

This doesn't seem like global warming. More like global freezing! I am sure it is part of the "what goes around, comes around" theory of remembering history. If it happened in 1994 or 1894, it can happen again in 2009.

With the cold weather and approaching inauguration, I am reminded of a history lesson Barack Obama does not want to repeat. In 1841, inauguration day was apparently cold and wet. In coming President William Henry Harrison wanted to show his strength and did not wear an overcoat. He also gave the longest inaugural address in history, nearly two hours, and then sat outside for the parade. His time in office barely lasted a month. And his inauguration was in March! I am sure our incoming president will be more prudent.

And you can watch the inauguration on the big screen in comfort at the Bill Library from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday.