January 18, 2011
Houston Doesn’t Do Cold 2
We have had a cold snap in Houston that has thrown us out completely off kilter. Houston doesn’t do cold very well. We live in short sleeves and flip-flops 10 1/2 months out of the year. While most of us love it when the cooler weather hits, when the cold hangs on for days at a time, we start getting a bit antsy. Of course it’s a nasty cycle because in the dead of summer we cry about the heat and then when it’s colder that 70 degrees, we start layering the sweaters.
Anyway, we have somehow managed to collect a menagerie of animals. We have 3 cats, 2 dogs, 2 fish and depending on the day a jar of various bugs. All of the animals (although not the bugs) insist on living inside. Who can blame them when the weather can’t make up its mind? Even though I love our pets, I felt overwhelmed with trying to manage them and keep the house clean. Do you know how much fur 5 animals will shed? Too much! Well, my parents came to town for Christmas and my dad is extremely allergic to cats. It was the perfect reason to move the cats outside (they spend most of their days on the porch anyways, what’s another 12 hours?). So on December 1, out they went. We haven’t looked back and I believe it’ has been the best decision. I feel like we can breathe much easier now.
Now, just because we kicked them out doesn’t mean they no longer live the cushy life. In fact, I think they are pretty well set up in their new home on the porch. Because we are wimpy about the cold, when we saw a cold front barreling our way, we didn’t want the cats living in misery. We decided to spoil them just a bit by getting a small space heater and setting up a temporary shelter. I have to say that it’s quite cozy and there have been a few days that I have wished that I could crawl in their little cave and go to sleep. Of course I have no desire to be covered in cat hair again.
The foundation of the cat cove. Don’t mind the messy porch.
Cat cove in place. Tons of tacky blankets and a small heater. You can’t beat it!
Jan 18, 2011 @ 19:54:57
Oh my, I love the last picture!!
FYI: it’s -35′C with the wind chill it’s -45′C here. That’s about -49′F
Jan 19, 2011 @ 13:04:26
It’s a balmy 15′F here, with 4-6″ snow expected today. More snow the rest of the week, with overnight windchills of negative 15′F. Glad it’s not gotten real cold like last year. Those are some spoiled kitties!