We are back to our milder-than-normal winter weather here in Connecticut, but last weekend, like just about everyone else I follow, it was freezing. Actually, it was below freezing. 42 degrees below freezing. -10°f (-23°c) isn’t nearly as bad the other negative numbers I’ve been reading about, but it reminded of a funny story.
This happened back in the aughts—I looked that up. What do you call the decade from 2000 to 2009—Google says “The aughts (American English) or noughties (British English).” I’m going to have to ask my friends from across the pond if ‘noughties’ is the right term because I’d be hesitant to use that. I digress. At some point in that decade, I started being invited to our company’s Annual Meeting. It was held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida every year in February. It began with a Super Bowl party and rolled through lunch on Tuesday. I seem to be drifting again. I know, one-liner. Sorry.
The first time I flew to Ft. Lauderdale, I snagged a taxi. I got in the cab and started chatting with the driver. He was from Jamaica. I asked him if the weather was normal for Ft. Lauderdale in February—it was 70°f (21°c). He said it was a little cool that day. Then he asked me what the weather was like where I was from. I told him I was from Connecticut and that it was two degrees below zero when I left. Feel free to imagine your best Jamaican accent for his one liner.
“The temperature can go below the zero? I did not know that.”
This post is part of Linda G. Hill’s fun weekly series One-Liner Wednesday. Linda is well aware that the temperature can go below the zero. If you have a one-liner, or if you would like to join in on the fun, you can follow this link to participate and to see the one-liners from the other participants.
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It’s a lucky person who doesn’t know the temperature can fall below zero! I’ve been glad to read that those hideous temperatures have gone back up for everyone in the Northeast; those were some scary numbers. These winter trees are beautiful. The hawk tried hard to get away, but you nabbed him. Squirrels with peanuts are more cooperative.
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The hawk cheated me out of the photo I wanted most. I was hoping to get him with the sun more directly behind him. He ducked, perhaps swooped. I don’t know what to call it but he exited the frame before the shutter snapped. Squirrels are much more patient. Although, I think I’ve heard, “Just throw the peanut buddy, you have a zillion photos of us already.” We’ll be in the 50s today – weird.
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Weird indeed. The weather, that is. The hawk was probably deliberate. I swear birds know when we’re trying to get a photo. The squirrels, on the other hand, know what’s in it for them. Smart.
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I do think the hawk knew what he was doing.
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Yes, I can imagine the Jamaican accent and him never having heard of weather below zero! Living in south FL would be perfect for him. I remember the snow we had in 1977, but that wasn’t even close to zero!
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He was such a nice man. He asked me all kinds of questions about winter before declaring Florida as being as far north as he wanted to go.
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I would have agreed with him when I was younger, but now I miss mountains, snow and small towns.
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I miss the snow this year. We still might get some, but we haven’t seen any since mid-December.
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I thought that was strange, especially seeing all the snowstorms on the news.
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Yeah, the storms have been drenching us, but it hasn’t been cold enough to fall as snow.
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Perfect one liner for this week!
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Thanks Judy. I just hope we don’t break records on the other end in July.
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I agree with Judy, perfect one-liner for this week!
Sunshine through bare-limbed trees, squirrels eating their peanuts, the hawk looking for something to nibble on that doesn’t come in a shell, and Old Glory not at half staff…good way to start my day. Thanks.
Ginger
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These are all good things to see, Ginger. As is the temperature being north of the zero.
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Hope that hawk didn’t find my bunny!
😳
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That has happened, but not for several years. There have been recent sightings (sorry, no pictures) of two bunnies in the yard. That can only mean one thing.
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More bunnies!!!
👍
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I am always surprised by what other people don’t know. I don’t know why. Your beautiful pictures look cold, appropriate.
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I was surprised, Pam. The driver was a very nice man, but in no hurry to venture any farther north.
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Haha! Great line! We have a lot of Haitians up here in the Montreal area – they got a reality check when they arrived, tell you what.
Lovely images.
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Ouch! That had to be a massive shock to their system.
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Can you just imagine? No amount of explanation can ever prepare them for the reality!
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That’s so funny, Dan. I guess some people may not know that. Ha ha. I’d prefer it if days below zero were impossible too. I’m glad your temps have returned to a normal range.
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Agreed, Diana. I don’t mind cold weather, but below zero is a little too cold. Double digits below zero does not need to happen.
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When I lived in northern VT we occasionally had temps of -35 with a chill factor driving it down to -50. I’m happy with Oregon’s winter temps hovering around freezing. :-)
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That’s way too cold. I lived in Seattle for three years. I’d take Oregon’s winters over Vermont’s any day.
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Yeah. But no snow. So sad. :-D
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Whew, below zero. I don’t even want to think about it. Here in the mid-Atlantic, it’s unusual for the temps to get into single digits, even in deep winter. It happens now and then, but I’m very grateful things have been on the mild side in recent years. Hope you’re doing well, Dan!
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I wouldn’t mind closer to normal temps and snow, Paul. But if my choice is on the mild side or on the freezing side, I’ll go with mild. We’re doing well, I hope you are the same.
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Isn’t the Jamaican accent the loveliest thing? I have to say I would agree with him, though. How do you differentiate when it gets minus anything? It’s just plain freezing cold!!
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He was the nicest man, Lois. 70 was a much better choice on that day than -2. You bailed out of the near-zero and below-zero days a long time ago. You’re always welcome back.
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Great one-liner, Dan. The photos were terrific.
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Thanks John. We’re getting to the point where I’m not out walking at sunrise.
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I don’t blame you. 😁
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Stunning skies. It’s pretty mild here, too. The daffodils are working on blooming. February usually waits until they’re going good and then dumps snow and cold all over them.
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Haha – Yeah, I’m waiting for February to make up for a mild January. It happens like that sometimes. We’re hoping things won’t get excited and start blooming early. That never works out well.
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We used to have fruit trees, and they always got excited and froze their blossoms off. Unless they successfully fruited and the wasps ate the fruit from the inside out.
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Either way, it doesn’t sound like you ever got a pie.
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The few times we got fruit, we ate it fresh. Or, as Gollum would put it, raw and wriggling. lol
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We’ve been having chilly mornings but lots of sun in the afternoon which is hard for me because I still can’t navigate stairs to get down to the garden! Getting there but no star yet! Love that one liner!
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Thanks. I hope you’re able to get out to the garden soon.
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To live your life until you’re an adult an not know that…AMAZING!
It’s warming up here too. We’ll hit the high 40’s today. WOOT!
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Fabulous photos, the naughties is correct and I have been to Fort Lauderdale too lovely place 💜💜💜
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Thanks for confirming the naughties. Ft. Lauderdale is a nice place to spend some time in February, but I don’t miss having to go to this meeting.
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I bet you dont Dan…
It’s much better being retired 💜💜💜
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Even the social events were work.
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Yes indeed 💜😂
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The snowless winter continues in the Philly suburbs, Dan. People in shorts. I think birds are starting to contemplate building nests. It’s nuts – just ask the squirrels. That cab driver gets the quote of the day award. I’ve been around a couple of folks who were seeing snow for the first time. Everything is relevant. So many people in the world who simply have no frame of reference for the type of winters we have…um, used to have.
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Great photos Dan! I especially love the sunrise with the trees, stunning.
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I grew up in the South and share his wonder, Mon. But I knew it did from school studies about the poles. 🤦♀️😂
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I’ve been reading about those temperatures too and Judy’s suffering through them. We had some pretty cold days, especially with windchill, when we lived in Naperville. Love that one-liner. I can see why you might want to not use “noughties” if it’s pronounced the way it looks. :-)
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Oh that’s funny, totally believable, but still worthy of a chuckle.
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I’m glad I could make you laugh.
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Love that Jamaican one-liner!
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It was funny.
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Hi DAn, that is a great one liner. We get temperatures below 0 degrees C at night here in Johannesburg, but some of our provinces have very mild temperatures and would be the same as your taxi driver.
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I guess it come down to what you’re used to.
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Hi Dan – I’ve no idea re the ‘naming’ … I’d probably say 2000s … anyway love the Jamaican driver – made me laugh – just taking the blues away … “The temperature can go below the zero? I did not know that.” I’m happy with our usually temperate weather … cheers Hilary
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He was the nicest man, Hilary. He made me smile.
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Anything below 60 degrees Fahrenheit is freezing in southern Florida.
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That’s funny, Frank. I hope it stays warm enough for you.
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I love your one-liner. I could just hear it in a West Indian accent.
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I’m glad. HE was such a nice man, and I love that accent.
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It’s nice the Jamaican man was honest. Asking questions is how we learn. I like how the light shines through the momentarily trapped leaf.
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He was a wonderful man. So easy to talk to. I;m always fascinated by trapped leaves. I’m glad you like them.
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As always great pics, but your one liner is the best….had to laugh!!
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That driver was such a nice man.
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I wish I’d been a fly on the wall, I mean in that taxi. Come to think of it, I don’t recall seeing the flag blowing to the north, either.
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