Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Optimistic

According to Google (and where else would I get my weather information?) it got to as low as 37 degrees in Pasadena sometime in the last 24 hours. I bundle up so much you'd never know I lived in northern Illinois for much of my life. The only person in our family who dislikes the cold more than I do is the dog, and he's a soCal native.

It rained quite a bit yesterday. Southern California's in its third year of drought and we do need rain, just--not all at once. Autumn's Station Fire left very little vegetation in the mountains above town. Instead we've got thousands of acres of ash. Mix that up with a few days' worth of downpour and you get mudslides.

We're used to "fire season." We're used to ash. We're even used to mudslides. But the Station Fire was the biggest in the recorded history of the Angeles National Forest, and this year the ash could come charging down the mountains in torrents of mud the likes of which haven't been seen in these parts before.

Could. Not necessarily will.

It's supposed to be sunny today. We'll have more rain later in the week. But I'm optimistic, which is easy for me to say because I live in a part of town that's not in any danger (fingers crossed). The most I have to worry about is that the dog refuses to go outside without an umbrella and since he lacks opposable thumbs (to cross his fingers or carry his umbrella), guess who gets to bundle up in all her winter finery and accompany him.

Altadenablog is always a good place to check for updates on severe road and weather conditions in the mountains.

23 comments:

Cafe Pasadena said...

As others who've moved here say: there are No seasons here in Southern Cal.

Yes, thank God for the same, sunny weather day after almost every day.

ben wideman said...

My laptop says 46 degrees and rainy. I'm wearing two sweaters - my Canadian friends and family all think I've gone soft... sigh.

Unknown said...

Pooh, this is football weather. Call me when the snow flies.

Susan C said...

That's one stunning photo.

Sahildeki Ev said...

Its so sad to hear that fire and then ash are destroying these beautiful trees..Lovely photo..

Sahildeki Ev said...

By the way Sara is saying hi to you and Dina on the comments of my Blessings post. She also wrote about the recent protests in the country...

Sarah said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sarah said...

Hi my dear Petrea,
Thank you for note. I am thinking of you, too. I never forget about my friends on CDP.

You can directly contact me by this mail address :snejati.arch@gmail.com
Now I want to give you a flower from our yard http://www.photolava.com/view/1sph.html
Please tell my regards to our other friends...
Love
Sarah

Shell Sherree said...

Beautiful photo, Petrea. I'll keep my fingers crossed, too. And I feel the cold, so I feel for you and Boz!

Brenda's Arizona said...

Rain here, too. Seems like drought has been for years... our rain is nice steady pitter patter. Cold, too. Hope it lasts for another few days. So if dogs had thumbs they could carry their own umbrellas? But what would help remind them to wipe their feet - er, paws?

Katie said...

What an amazing looking tree. You sure do a wonderful job capturing the natural beauty of your area. Hang in there with the weather and if Boz says "let's stay inside" heed his advice!

Italo said...

It's nice how can be an interested follower of Pasadena weather conditions, an italian living near ROme :D

Bellis said...

That tree looks like it's out of a Tim Burton movie!

I took my long-suffering dog to Hahamongna yesterday and met another very nice blogger (Watershed News) taking photos of the river at Devil's Gate dam. Some of the pessimistic things I said are in his blog, but then there's not much to be optimistic about after this devastating fire. Well, maybe there is - on a recent hike into the burnt area, I did see some bushes sprouting green shoots from the base, and lots of seedlings popping up on the bare soil.

Margaret said...

Ohh. Great blue sky. Wonderful picture.

TheChieftess said...

I just returned from our transatlantic trip...the last six days of which were spent onboard in warm, balmy, breezy bliss...landing in Ft. Lauderdale...but I have to say...after the initial shock of cold when getting off the airplane, I have to admit...I'm invigorated!!!! I love that we have seasons in SoCal...and I'm equally glad that they're really only quasi seasons and leave a lot of room for sunshine!!!!

Petrea Burchard said...

No kidding, Cafe.

Ben, your Canadian friends are just jealous. Correct, but jealous.

Thanks, Susan. I messed with it a bit but not too much. It was a blustery day.

I saw that, Aysegul, thank you. I know she's worried that people around the world will believe Ahmadinejad's hype, but no one does. If you subscribe to this post you see she left a note here. I'll get in touch with her.

Sarah! I'll send an email. I'm so happy to hear from you.

Shell, Boz would cross his fingers, too, if he could.

Brenda, somehow I can't imagine rain in Arizona!

Katie I always obey Boz. He has me wrapped around his little digit.

Italo, we Pasadena bloggers are glad you're interested in our weather! We're interested in the Roman weather, too.

Bellis: A) I'm amazed you went out yesterday. B) I'm jealous you got to hike in the burn area. C) Happy to hear about the green seedlings!

Thank you, Margaret.

Chieftess, I think our seasons are the best. Welcome home.

Anonymous said...

Oh that picture is so pretty. Like a craftman lampshade. If I weren't hanging up my ceramic tapshoes, I'd use the pattern for a tile.

J.J. in L.A. said...

I enjoy yesterday's rain...but I'm not in the foothills. I was happy to see snow on Mt. Wilson and I hope the upcoming storms dump more snow. It makes for a pretty picture...although it's too cold (for this native Californian) to go outside to snap the shot. lol!

Greg Sweet said...

Real time precipitation in LA County, including the mountains, is at http://ladpw.org/wrd/precip/alert_rain/index.cfm

Amy said...

I love the wintery feel of that photo. I bundle up a lot too at the first hint of cold. This often gets me "but you're from a place with real cold" comments. Which I ignore.

This to me is real cold though. It's 39 according to our thermometer out the window, and I've got the heater on high. I like this touch of winter - as long as it doesn't last toolong.

pasadenapio said...

Yes, fingers crossed that mudslides don't happen. It was devastating when we had them in the Linda Vista area a few years ago and people lost homes.

Here is information about what to do if Pasadena property owners experience damage from rainstorms and/or mudslides.

It was a gorgeous day today but more storms are on the way.

Ms M said...

The leafless branches against the sky remind me of fine etching. Nice shot!
I hope it warms up soon for you!

Petrea Burchard said...

I'm glad folks like the picture. We had a gorgeous day today--crisp and sunny. I took the dogs out for a run at beautiful Hahamongna; we practically had it to ourselves.

Thanks, Ann and Greg, for the useful links. Much appreciated.