Here we go again

Several nights last week the overnight low went to 20 below. This morning the temperature is above 40 and what little snow we have is melting away. So, again in just a few days we have had a 60-degree temperature change. To tell the truth it is not all that disappointing. Putting down flooring this weekend and I want to put the saw out on the porch to keep the dust out of the house, so it ought to work out fine. And maybe warmer temperatures will bring the birds around. I was a little late filling feeders this year and didn't do it until the big chill last week. So far not one has showed up as far as I can see. So, for the time being the 25 pounds of sunflower seeds I bought is in the back of the Honda hybrid helping keep it on the road.

So far the car is doing all right with the winter. It started right up at 20 below after a couple of hours plugged in, and at work it started easily a couple of nights at 10 below without the plug-in. The electronic displays are a little sluggish at low temperatures, but the heating system warms it up nicely. I didn't put snow tires on it, but it seems to hold the road well, and using the paddle shifters, I have good control. The one thing that's still a concern is bottoming out in deep snow. I have already seen where it pushes through the snow in the driveway. The engine doesn't particularly like the cold, though. Mileage has dropped off from above 50 mpg to the mid to low 40s. Part of this is due to letting it warm up at an idle and part general driving conditions. Still, 43 mpg is a whole lot better than I have ever gotten with anything I have driven before. All in all still happy with it.