I believe you. We are going to be in the single digits in three days, serious stuff for southern Missouri.

talking about 20+ below for the next 10 days, throw another log on the fire and grab a blanket. sure glad I don't have to be in it any more.

Sgt Jim Belanus - The worst thing I have ever had to do in my life was keeping stock tank heaters going at 20 below. Ours ran on diesel, which would be starting to turn to jello at those temps. Light a match, catch the paper on fire, stick it down in, fire goes out, fingers have turned to wood, so stick the fingers in your armpits and dance and jump around for a couple of minutes before trying again. Hated it. One of the reasons I never seriously considered staying on the farm.

I remember back in the 50's thats how my dad kept the stock tank thawed, I can see the play in my mind, been there done that, Now I have a richei waterer with built in heating elements, takes the work out of it. As far a diesel we use P40 out of Canada, it's #2 with the wax removed, was told it's good for -_40 and lower and so far so good.

The beauty of dogs. And all for some kibble and a little attention, now and then. They are perhaps avatars of our better nature.

That would be worth going to town for though. Bring a chair and thermos. Beats almost anything to do with isolation. I'm often entertained by a herd of deer. A couple of young bucks and a dozen does and yearlings. Some of the does are about to foal and it shows. Saw the bucks jousting with antlers, a first for me. Might have been offspring because he easily flipped him on the ground a few times but didn't try to stomp or gore him. I thought of a father teaching his son. Wife has been claimed by one coon and a possum. Coon puts paws on glass waiting for snacks. The other coons are more skittish.