MAKE THE BEST OF A CHILLY SITUATION

This will come as no surprise to you, but it’s been really cold in the upper Midwest this past week. Everybody is talking about it, and most people are probably getting tired of hearing about it. Nevertheless, I’m going to blog about it because there are some really cool things that can be seen and done due to the extreme cold.

The first one that caught my eye was a picture that captured spectacular Sun Dogs. A friend took it on the way home after his morning workout. Sun dogs occur when tiny moisture particulates in the air freeze and reflect the sun's rays causing a spectrum of colors. The air is frozen! Take a few breaths and let that sink in.

Photo Credit: Chris Richardson   

The next few items are ways that show how people can be creative by finding ways to enjoy the extreme cold.

To begin with, there is a couple of brothers who build detailed snow sculptures every year. First of all, they need snow, and second, they need it to be cold, so the snow doesn't melt. No problem with it melting when it's below zero.

 2018/19 Bartz Snow Sculptures

The next one is a fun project to do with kids. Take balloons, fill them with water and food coloring, then let them freeze. Once frozen, cut away the balloon. Some call them dinosaur eggs...makes sense to me. Who would have thought water balloons would be fun all year round.

The final one I'll share shows that it has been so cold, your pants will freeze. A guy in our neighborhood started this project many years ago. This year, I wanted to give it a try. I ran a couple pairs of jeans through the wash to get them thoroughly wet, then brought them outside.With the air temperature at -25 degrees, it only took three minutes for the pants to freeze. I shaped them as fast as possible, then stuck them in the snow. 

Photo credit: My work pants

I'd be interested to see how you make the most of a chilly situation outdoors.

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.