Jenny's Blog

[JennyLeez]

It is Boxing Day. I love Boxing Day as it means there is a whole year before Christmas bowls back again.

I have no idea where this year has gone. It only seems a few weeks ago I posted I would be pleased to see 2016 roll around as all station's year rainfall would be correct again.
....  and yep you guessed it, I will be happy to see 2017 for the same reason

Cheers to all and I wish you all the bestest and greatest for 2017

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[ato2]

History repeats itself, in this case, with the rainfall totals!
Have a great 2017, Jenny! 

[Martin4Jay]

As you know I will be glad to see 2017 for different reason, wishing you a good new year

[JennyLeez]

Amazing Sunset in Wairoa tonight 15th January 2017.

[ato2]

Some very nice russet tones in that one, that's for sure!

[Babs]

Thats such a pretty sunset all different pinks..

[JennyLeez]

I quite often watch docs on the Discovery Channel on Alaska. What a tough life they lead.
I was checking out their temps this morning and thought I would post a map of their current temps here.

How on earth do they survive in these conditions I have no idea. They tell me they are 'conditioned'. I take it that means they have very thick hides

[TokWW]

That is cold whether measured in degF or degC!!  At around -40degF = -40degC!!

[PaulMy]

I don't mind the cold as you can dress for it, but can't say I enjoy it for any length of time.  We are a long way from Alaska or Canada's north but we do occasionally get close to -30°C http://www.komokaweather.com/mysql/top10.php or check out 2015 Feb http://www.komokaweather.com/weather/betel_datasummaryCU.php

January and February can be very cold and somewhat December and March but ours don't last as long as further north.  On only very rare occasions would children not be permitted to go outside during school recess as they have proper boots, coats, hats and mittens.  They have a great time especially if the sun is out.  Tobogganing, skating, hockey, and skiing can all be done with proper attire and kids love to be outdoors.  Hunting and fishing is also a good outdoor event in the winter for some but personally I don't like sitting by the fishing hole on the ice, even within a tent, waiting for some fish to take a nibble.

Once February is done then we have had enough and look forward to spring, or Spring Break vacation.  It is the next 6 weeks or so that get people down when spring should be arriving and we get a few days of it then more winter type weather and wonder if spring will ever get here.  Our May 2-4 long weekend is sort of the time for significant change when outdoor camping can be sort of fun (did I mention our brew comes in 4x6 packs and that weekend is one of the busiest for the brew stores and the Provincial parks' camping spaces all booked). Then summertime, and we reach the mid 30°C on the other side of the scale.  Why can't we just have it the same all year round somewhere in between?  but that would be boring - we love the 4 distinct seasons!

Enjoy,
Paul

[JennyLeez]

That is cold whether measured in degF or degC!!  At around -40degF = -40degC!!

Well thats weird, how come they are the same? Shouldnt °F be more?
The Map attached above is in °C

Interesting read Paul, thank you.

[TokWW]

Google:  "deg c deg f conversion"  and enter -40 for degC

Now a change from freezing point of water to boiling point in Fahrenheit is:

32degF to 212degF = 180degF range

or same in degC as:

0degC to 100degC = 100degC

There for the equivalent ratio or range =  180/100 = 9/5 

so that for every 5degC change of Celcius, you get 9degrees change in Fahrenheit.


Now a change of -40degC into Fahrenheit degrees is:

-40degC x 9/5 = 72degF change.

Now we know that at freezing point of water:

0degC = 32degF

Now apply the -40deg Celcius change to both sides of the equation ...

=> . . . . . . . is the same as

0degC - 40degC <=> 32degF -72degF

-40degC = -40degF  QED!  (quod errat demonstratum = Which was to be demonstrated or proven)  LOL!!

Hey I am a Scientist and an Engineer...

Graeme

[Babs]

It must be amazing to have a brain that can work things out like that all I can do is read knitting patterns and cake recipes, heavens to Betsy what I would do with a weather station I would need one that talked to me and even then I don't think I would understand it, I admire you engineers I really do especially the one I have here..

[TokWW]

I have edited it many times to make it easier to read and supposedly easier to follow... LOL!  We also know how to make something simple appear quite complicated...  haha!

[Babs]

That's what we women do make something simple appear quite complicated ooops better be careful giving away secrets of womanhood here lol

[JennyLeez]

Hey I am a Scientist and an Engineer...

Gee and here I thought you were just a pretty face

I googles it before going back to work. Interesting and clearly explained above.
Thanks @TokWW  I had not realised the above.

[JennyLeez]

I have found a new plant to grow

[ato2]

Is that what I think it is...   How old are those plants? There is/was an old guy around the corner from me who grew his own tobacco. They look very luxuriant crops.

[TokWW]

Straight away I was going to say "Tobacco"  but it seems I got up too late today haha!  There is another plant with very similar leaf structure and with tall flowering stems but I think it is noxious and grows in riverbeds and the like.  I'm not sure if the one I was thinking of is poisonous or anything but that it just takes over an area and spreads quickly.  Ato2 - do you recall that plant?

[ato2]

There are a number of Nicotiana species growing here- they are Nightshade?. ..Some very large ones near me on council land, too. Woolly Nightshade- very attractive, stinks like kerosene, grows to a small tree, prolific seeder. If you have a photo of the one you are thinking of, I should be able to nail it, I think. Some species have naturalised from South America.

[JennyLeez]

The couple I left the flowers on grew to 9ft. I needed a ladder to remove the suckers and bag up the flowers for seeds.
Last week or so I have extended that garden out to allow for another row but leaving a mowing strip. Back breaking work. I need to turn the compost back in once more before planting.