Is it gone yet???

The unusual cold weather, that is. We tied some records this past week, for low temps, and the local growers have been hit pretty hard again, although not wiped out, or so they seem to think. Frost and freezing is not going to help produce prices in the least.

But today is much better, headed for the mid 70s, and forecasts of low 80s for midweek are a nice thing to look forward to again. I have some outdoor projects waiting for warm
weather again. Sure don't want to do pressure cleaning, or the tiling project, when any trip out of doors requires a jacket! That was what I left Ohio to get away from, many years ago now, but at least, no snow or slush to require the use of boots around here. And from the reports, people up north would be delighted with the temps we have had. (Come for a visit, and bring money, Florida can use the green stuff.)

I guess 2009 is officially off to a start, now. The first NASCAR of the year was on last night, the BUD Shootout. I don't usually like Saturday night races, as they run so late that I am in bed, needing to get my sleep before Sunday morning. However, the Shootout was only 75 laps, only scheduled for 2 hours, and due to be off just before the 10 pm news. With a record number of crashes and caution periods during the race, they did not quite get in done before 10, but not long after, and besides, the news we watch is on the channel the race was on, so the news did not overlap or conflict.

Due to a very limited chance to run the cars and do testing during the offseason, this was as much a testing race as anything, and the number of crashes showed it. Cars were not set up ideally for the track yet, many of the drivers were in different cars from last year, and had different pit crews and crew chiefs, so it was a rather wild race. Seems a lot of teams were testing setups, and trying to be in a better position to be ready for next weeks Daytona race, to go for points and prestige, with the big race. The restrictor plate races are not as exciting, in a lot of ways, as regular races, and the plates really do cause the cars to be very evenly matched. Of course, having 10-12-20 cars all running bumper to bumper, and door handle to door handle, at 190 mph does have excitement, but not the same as allowing different cars/teams to get the most out of their cars as they can. Glad there are only a couple of plate-races during the year.

It was interesting to see the new team/driver combinations, as there has been a lot of changes this year, as well as several new teams formed. It will take some getting used to, to quickly recognize drivers in new car numbers, some with different powerplants under the hood, but all battling with the Car of Tomorrow, bigger, wider, taller than the old ones used to be. BUT---SAFER! Bad crashes happen, but very seldom is there injuries. The tougher cars, and safer soft-walls, are making it a much safer sport. Even with some nasty crashes, cars demolished, upset, hit several times, it is VERY rare that the driver does not crawl out, wave to the crowd, and walk to the ambulance for the required visit to the care center, exiting the CC minutes later with a cold drink in his hand, and talking to the TV reporters, ready to go back and try it again. And that is a good thing.

Looks like I had better make this a busy week, at least between doctor appointments. Nothing serious, just checkup time.