Barely a week ago we were still in the 80s. This week, winter. Now, we always seem to run into an early cold snap in the fall, but we kind of like to ease into it. You know, after a few weeks of being in the 60s and 50s. But after a long, dry summer with almost no rain and an unusually hot September (average temperature for us was 84° this September vs. 76° in September 2008, or 29° C vs. 24° C), we were hankering for some cool, wet fall weather. Except we skipped a season and went straight to winter.
Our friends to the south of us in Colorado had some winter weather last week, but this week they're going to be in the 60s and 50s ... so maybe we'll get to enjoy some true fall weather at some point ourselves. In the meantime, the National Weather Service is forecasting a low of 5° (-15° C) for us Friday night and 4° on Saturday night.
This is actually quite a problem, because the horses have not grown out their winter coats yet. They've started, but they are a long way from being done. That means we'll need to bring them all in from pasture so they can hang out in the barns during this cold blast.
Not only are the humans and animals at the ranch not ready for winter, neither are the trees -- all of our cottonwoods still have their leaves!
[Just before I posted this, the Weather Service changed the lows for Wednesday and Thursday from 14° and 16° to 11° (-11° C) for both nights ... that's headed in the wrong direction, people!]
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Still No. 1!
Please keep voting for us every day in The Animal Rescue Site/PetFinder's Shelter Challenge. Thanks to your votes, we came in third nationwide and won $3,000 for the animals in the previous contest. Now we have a shot at No. 1 and the $20,000 grand prize! Enter "Rolling Dog Ranch" and our state postal code, MT for Montana, and it will bring up our listing so you can cast your vote. Please ask your family and friends to vote, too. Thank you!
I've been thinking about you guys when I hear the weather reports from your part of the country. We've been in the 50's & 60's the last few days & for a South TX girl that is cold....LOL! But, I am thanking the heaven's for the much, much needed rain we have been getting.
Gather the furry kids together & use each other for warmth.
Good luck!
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | October 12, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Time to knit a bunch of coats for the doggies!
Posted by: Penny Heinrich | October 06, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Pile on a couple extra cats or dogs and snuggle down!
Posted by: Miranda | October 06, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Sorry you missed Fall....in Orlando we are still in the 90's...I would LOVE some crisp, cool weather myself! Do you have to blanket the horses?
Where do the goats hang out when weather gets too cold for them?
Posted by: Debbie | October 06, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Gulp...surprise...breathe....
What else can a California say?
It will be a beautiful fall even if winter comes early.
The dreams of spring grass are not that far away....
Posted by: boundforglory | October 06, 2009 at 09:12 AM
I think the rain is here in the Smoky Mountains....and unseasonably warm temps. This is not good for blazingly beautiful leaf color. Half of Florida is about to head to NC/TN to become leaf peepers.....it will still be beautiful no matter what. Hoping you get some drizzles for the grass soon.......
Posted by: Peggy S | October 06, 2009 at 08:21 AM
Excuse me indeed!! How rude of mother nature! But...at least you aren't being blown to Kansas by winds? ;) by the way-the pictures of the doxies were awesome!! Toooo funny!!
Posted by: Sue | October 05, 2009 at 11:46 PM
I just returned from a weekend in Colorado Springs, where they did have snow, a couple of weeks ago. Friday and Saturday were breezy nippy - but beautiful! - for a desert-southwest person like me, and Sunday was colder and damper.
Anyway, it's been several days since I last got to vote. I'm doin' it now!
Posted by: Vicki Small | October 05, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Better you than me. It is kind of balmy here in the Seattle area. Especially nice and warm in the house. The dog has been shedding her summer coat for the last few weeks though. I wish she would stop already :)
Posted by: Ev | October 05, 2009 at 07:07 PM