You wouldn’t have guessed it based on the previous month’s temperatures, but today is the first day of winter. According to Weather Underground, the month’s mean temperature is a balmy -25 degrees C (-13 F).
December Temperature
But numbers mean little when you can’t see them through your frozen eyelashes.
Frozen Eyelashes on a Ski Lift
In honor of the Winter Solstice and the reality that is finally sinking in, I’d like to share a Mongolian saying I just heard last night. It’s called “The Nines of Winter” and divides the upcoming chilly 81 days into nine sets of nine days.
The First Nine: Milk vodka congeals and freezes The Second Nine: Vodka congeals and freezes The Third Nine: Tail of a three-year-old ox freezes The Fourth Nine: Horns of a four-year-old ox freezes The Fifth Nine: Boiled rice no longer congeals and freezes The Sixth Nine: Roads become visible from under the snow and ice The Seventh Nine: Hilltops appear The Eighth Nine: Ground becomes damp The Ninth Nine: Warmer days set inSo, there you have it. Maybe it’s time to get that extra pair of long johns I’ve had my eye on.
that is SO brutal! hope the ninth nine comes soon!
You’ve got a new fashion statement going with those frosty eyelashes! Everyone in New york will want them. I too would go for the extra long underwear. -25, calls for inside scrabble games, hot tea and as close to the fire as one can get. Lauren these photo’s are amazing and the expansiveness of the land, the music, the beauty of the people is so inspiring. You GO Girl and stay WARM. love you lots!!! Mary