Tag: cold

Dashing

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Well. I did not quite believe the forecasts but they proved to be right for once. And so I stepped out of my door this morning to be confronted with the almost-forgotten sight of snow on the ground. It has been a while, dear friend. And I did not expect to see a blanket of nice clean snow o’er top the city of Houston this morning, but there you go.

I have to say, it was a bit disconcerting(but wonderful!) driving around this morning. Driving to work in snow is a very normal occurrence in Scotland but not so here. So I felt as if I was in Aberdeen again for a bit, seeing the frosted tree tops and white roadsides flash by as I drove in. Of course, the (relatively) small bit of snow we got here is as nothing compared to a good Scottish winter. Although I was amused by one of the road-signs this morning: “ICY CONDITIONS. SNOW EXISTS. DRIVE WITH CAUTION.” Oh Houston. And yes, people in Houston really don’t understand snow. I was driving behind one person who had a blanket of snow entirely covering their rear windscreen. Um? Guess they didn’t feel like wiping it off before driving?? I put a good distance between them and I!!

Still – as fun as a small bit of snow is here…it’s nothing compared to driving in blizzard conditions down the A90. I don’t know if I miss that or not. Right now, yes. But if I was back in Scotland, I’d say no and that all snow should go away. Even though on a proper day – snow is wonderful. John texted me this morning from Aberdeen and notified me that it had snowed there too overnight! He sent me some pics from Calsayseat…scenes I’d seen many times before – grey and white everywhere. He also reminded me of our fun sledging adventure…sadly, that is almost impossible here in Houston – firstly, not enough snow. Secondly, not enough hills(or any?). I do miss John and wish we could recreate our winter fun day again!!

Also been texting with Chris – and since he and Jo and Lily are now in the south of England, it is warmer there than it is here. Definitely no snow there! I take some pride in the fact that it’s colder here. I also would be proud that as I was out and about this morning, I didn’t feel cold at all – didn’t even have my good wool coat(my “Scotland” coat as I like to think of it) zippered up. But I cannot take pride because I know the secret to staying warm – it is wearing long underwear. And since I’m wearing that, I can’t boast in my cold tolerance. But I can say I am very toasty and it is wonderful to be nice and warm inside when it’s so briskly cold outside!! Oh and of course, I got my peppermint mocha this morning and I can say that for once it’s very proper to get this drink since there is actual snow on the ground – and what drink goes better with snow than a peppermint mocha? Well, maybe a peppermint hot chocolate but it is early and caffeine. Y’know. Also saw Katie at Starbucks and she was super excited about the snow here too!! It is so fun how the snow puts us all in such good moods here in Houston…

Just one more note on the snow since I can and since it will melt soon and since we probably won’t get snow here in Houston for another eight years…so I must take advantage of it. The sight of snow really does cause so many Scotland memories to come flooding back…so many times walking into town with the crunch of snow underneath my boots and flurries of snow past my ears. Good memories because they’re associated with good friends and God’s goodness to me. Abounding in faithfulness, always.

Farewell, dear friends – peace and love and warmth and joy!

Blast

James HoganLeave a comment

I have to say, it is a bit silly how much the weather affects my mood! And I’m weird, because the weather today probably didn’t positively affect anyone else the way it did me. As I drove home today I gloried in the ever-changing grey sky…and then walking to my car after shopping at Sprouts, realised why I was so pleased with the weather. It was cold, grey and there was a hint of precipitation on the breeze. In other words…Aberdeen weather. So yes, grey and cold and wet makes me nostalgic and makes me happy all at the same time and it is wonderful. I don’t know what it is about a darkening grey November sky though…there’s something faintly sad yet achingly beautiful about it. The trees are just starting to threaten to drop their leaves and the breeze softly caresses my face and my blood quickens. Beauty and wonder and love, all wrapped up in a crisp fall day. Oh how silly am I to revel so in this quiet grey evening. But I do love it so.

One Day under the Rainbow

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It is beautifully cold outside this morning. It is fifty-nine degrees F. FIFTY-NINE. And it is May 24th! This is absolutely fantastic…to walk outside into the early morning and feel the crisp, late springtime air – oh frabjous day, callooh, callay! And now it is time to sit in peace and enjoy my most lusciously warm peppermint mocha. Farewell and happy Wednesday, dear friends.

La La Land

James HoganLeave a comment

…and it’s Friday once again! And beautifully enough, it is cold outside and it is wonderful. 37 degrees this morning – love it so! Also raining slightly, which is not quite as nice, but I won’t complain. Stopped at Starbucks for my traditional and now I’m at work ready for a good and most productive work day! I have to say, I did so much enjoy walking from my car to the building this morning and feeling the cold air on my face, relishing the feel of winter. And then I think about all the terribly bitter cold mornings in Aberdeen, crunching through snow and ice and barely being able to feel my fingers. This Houston “winter” is nothing in comparison!!

Now, about time to get to work…guess I’ve used up all my time talking about the weather! I am quite sleepy this morning – was at Chase’s last night for a long-awaited catch-up time. We got some quality gaming time in as well – dominated it up in classic Gears of War fashion! So yes, an epic night…but now I am quite sleepy. Ah well, will try and find some good music to wake me up. And I am rambling.

I’m off – peace and love!

Faithful

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends, and happy Monday!! On this beautifully cold morning, I cannot help but rejoice!! It was (seriously!) 33 degrees this morning as I drove in to work. What is this wonderful cold weather doing here!? I have no idea, but I am so thankful to God for granting such a gorgeous weekend to me. A very proper last day in Houston, I do say. I get to enjoy my peppermint mocha and slowly warm up here in the office…this is simply fantastic. And yes, last day in Houston! Tonight I fly off Florida way for a week – hurrah! Of course, I’ll miss my friends here, but a week with the family will be oh so much enjoyed…of that I have no doubt.

And this past weekend has indeed been one in which I have been blessed by God exceedingly. As I have been praying to God for guidance in various matters, I have been reminded anew how blessed I have been here in Houston with the friends God has given me. Saturday night – was able to enjoy a fun and relaxing night over at Camille and Erin’s place with John – we had dinner and watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Then yesterday, after a sweet morning of worship at church, I went home and got a few things done…then went and picked up Julie for our Sunday movie adventure – LA LA Land. It was a simply lovely movie, bittersweet and tinged with nostalgia, yet currents of joy running throughout. I think I will buy this one when it comes out…that’s how much I enjoyed! It had lots of good music as well – that definitely didn’t hurt! Afterwards, Julie and I went out and got dinner and simply had a fantastic time talking and chatting about so so many things…this was our last time to hang out before I go to Florida tonight and she’s off to France tomorrow! So we made the most of it. Such a dear friend is she. And then I came home and me and John had some quality talking time. So encouraging is he!! I am oh so blessed to have him as a roommate. And then…I finished reading my book(Swiftly Tilting Planet – I have realised lately how influenced my writing has been by reading L’Engle’s works. My writing takes after hers more than I thought!!). My next book is going to be a re-read of Name of the Wind. It is time.

And now, I do write too much. One last day of furious work. Then…homeward bound.

Peace, my friends – peace and love.

Far Too Beautiful

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning, dear friends!! It’s a beautifully cold morning here in Houston and it’s about time for work to begin – but thought I’d pop on to the dusty world of livejournal and say hello. I’ve had an interesting few days(I’m terrible I know…no time to share the details!) and while it can at times be easy to moan and fret about the things that go not the way I’d prefer, I really can’t stomach the thought of complaining when I know the God I belong to. And on this morning that I’ve been constantly reminded of the rich and endless love that has been granted me, I leave you with these words from one of my favorite songs lately…

And heaven knows
I’m prone to leave
the only God
I should have loved,
and yet You’re far too beautiful to leave me.

Last Blast

James HoganLeave a comment

Before I start work this fine morning…I’m greatly enjoying my steaming hot peppermint mocha. Cold hands wrapped around warm cup. Bliss. And no, I’m not complaining about the cold. I doubt we’ll get another 34-degree morning in Houston for quite some time, so this morning I am sitting here warm and cosy in my flannel shirt and thanking God for all that He has given me.

Frozen

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning, friends!! This is a quick-before-work update…I just couldn’t resist writing a few words! It’s delightfully cold(36 degrees outside! …or 2 degrees, if there’s any non-Americans reading this!) A busy day is ahead of me, but right now, I’m just enjoying sitting here nice and cozy in my turtleneck/sweater combo and drinking my steaming hot honey-laced coffee. My hands may be cold. My heart is warm. Peace, my friends – have a most glorious Tuesday!!!

Hope in the Darkness

James HoganLeave a comment

Good morning, my friends!! Thought I’d just post a quick few words here. It is delightfully and ferociously cold this morning! At least by Houston standards. 27 degrees currently. And falling! (That’s -3 for all you on the east side of the pond) I’m quite enjoying this weather, gotta say. I get to wear my sweaters and coat and scarf and just enjoy the crisp bite of the early morning breeze. Glorious, I say. And so I have decided that this cold weather is one of God’s gifts to me these past few days. Now, it is time to get some work domination done – so I am off. Have a wonderful day, y’all!!!