Is Winter going to come or not?

I thought winter was here. The clocks went back, the long nights began, and my hands have started to get dry skin because of the cold. Got to remember to bundle up before you head outside now. Scarf on, and don't forget those gloves. I haven't progressed to my winter coat yet; that would just be too soon, leaving me nothing to bust out when the real cold sets in. But still, it was getting pretty cold. I even saw snow up in northern Wisconsin (I still have to blog about that).

And then came yesterday and today. Temperatures got warm again, in a cruel final gesture of the climate. "This is what you'll be missing for the next 3 months". Indeed, because of the sudden change in humidity, there was a thunderstorm warning out for Madison, including the threat of tornados. In fact it was so bad, the Capitol police at work announced it over the speaker system, warning staff and visitors to be prepared. Nobody seemed phased by it, but it seemed like kind of a big deal to me.

There were no tornados, but I did see some pretty big hail. Pretty anti-climatic after all.

So with the long dark nights and the crazy temperatures outside, what did I do with my evening? Well with the internet acting up, after watching some True Blood with Nicole (her favourite TV show), I sat in the recliner and in a thrilling climax to the night, I cut out coupons for grocery shopping. Being the cheap person that I am, I'll take any opportunity I can to save 35 cents on some random food I don't even really want.

Of course, with the holiday season approaching, there are tons of special offers to browse through. Sales sales sales. Pre-Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving day, Black Friday, Post Thanksgiving, Pre-Christmas. The list goes on.

As always, Sunday's paper saw the regular advertisement for hunting apparel, most notably big, bold guns. It is so strange to see various types of guns "on offer" or "special bargains today only". But, hunting is a big business. In Wisconsin alone, the 9 day hunting season (they shoot deer in case you were wondering) started this past weekend, and attracts almost $3 billion in tourism profits to the state. I always thought hunting was a rather cruel sport, meant only for blood thirsty rich folks. But hearing Wisconsin natives talk about it has perhaps changed my mind. While the hunt still doesn't particularly appeal to me, I have come to see it in somewhat of a different light.

I can see why guys love to go do it; a trip out camping with a group of men, bonding over a fire and some beer, back to nature, stalking through the forest. And in some ways the hunt is necessary to control the deer population; they would otherwise be culled by the Department of Natural Resources. So why not go out and have some fun? Well it wouldn't be my idea of fun, traipsing around in the cold dark forests, but I can appreciate why some people enjoy doing it. It's a very seasonal thing, and I have to admit, venison stew does taste rather good. I just hope most hunters, if they do get a kill, make full use of the deer they shoot, and don't waste any part of it.

Of course, these guys could always embrace new technology, and leave deer to be killed in a more humane way. There are now ways to "go on the hunt" without hurting the deer, by using electronic tagging and electronic guns, to establish whether you have a hit or not. This would also reduce the number of injuries resulting from the misuse or mis-aiming of rifles etc. during the season. Drunk men with guns= numerous accidents.

More on guns later. For now though, I better go decide what to wear for tomorrow. At 9am, temperatures will be 12 degrees. FAHRENHEIT. That means its going to be -4 Celsius, with a wind chill factor bringing it down to -11. Brrrrrrr.

Snow is forecast for Wednesday too. Maybe after Thanksgiving in warm, sunny LA, we'll return to some of the white stuff.