The Crescent Heart, 26th Day of Childwinter, 526 M.E. (Betelgeuse): It's cold.

The winter storm has passed and with minimal damage here in Atlanta. Other places can't say the same,  and I extend my deepest condolences to those without power or who suffered other misfortunes from the cold snow and ice. 

But now that it's gone, it left behind some bitter cold temperatures - the high temperature today (38°) occurred at midnight and dropped down to 23° as the night progressed. It was only above 32 for about an hour or two this afternoon but blustery winds made it feel even colder and it's forecast to drop down to 14° overnight. It was so cold today, I didn't take my alternating-day walk, even though it's a walking day 

This drafty old house, this pile of bricks on a hill, can't keep up with temperatures that low. The heat works fine down to about the mid/upper 20s, but below that the furnace just runs and runs but the inside temperatures drop down into the 60s, with noticeably colder spots in some nooks and crannies around the house.

This has happened before and I've gotten past it, but this year the cold is expected to last at least a week, with next weekend even colder than today. “When it’s cold, become one with the cold," Tozan advised. I may not have a choice in the matter. "Let the cold kill you," Tozan continued. 

2026 sucks, man. We should ask for our money back - this year is defective.