It has been extremely cold here in the Cascade Mountains but that gives me a chance to reflect on just how many improvements I've been able to make since buying my house and studio. When I first bought it the water would freeze anytime it hit about 20 degrees, let alone a sustained freeze like we have had these past weeks. Slowly, very slowly these past few years all of the vulnerable things were replaced and the buildings were brought to high standards.

This year, despite being well below freezing for days on end, there have been zero issues. Everything works, as it should, despite being located in so very rustic a location.

The cold weather has given me yet another perspective on nature, yet new beauties to contemplate. With no snow, simply clear cold, much is becoming ice, especially on the river. The rocks and waterfalls in the area are coated with massive sheets of ice, truly amazing to behold.

It is supposed to warm up in a few days, so I imagine that all this beautiful ice will be gone soon, but I'm taking every opportunity to enjoy it while it is here.

I will say though, that I'm awfully glad the Climate Idiots are meeting in Copenhagen this week. Global Warming has apparently gotten us so hot now that we are freezing here in normally temperate Seattle. Hopefully they can get things cooled back down so that I can be a wee bit warmer on my daily walks!

Before I hear lots of whining in the comments about how 'global warming is really climate change, and that is why the weather is more extreme now' let me make two points.

Point 1. The Climate Idiots claimed Global Cooling in the 1970's. When that didn't work out for them they claimed Global Warming. Now that it isn't working out for them they are claiming Climate Change. They can't keep changing their minds about the trend, doing so proves Idiocy.

Point 2. It is not more extreme. It is very seldom that it is this cold here for this long but this river froze solid enough to support cars once when my grandfather was a young feller. It isn't even close to that now.