Subzero temperatures & icicles

icicles-Saint Paul-StaatsThe past week brought us some of the coldest temperatures in the past 10 years.  We bottomed out at 22 degrees below zero on Thursday night.  When it’s that cold, life becomes much different.    You spend five minutes layering up and getting ready to go outside, covering any exposed skin.   The moisture in your nose freezes instantly, and sounds travel through the air differently.  You are thankful for heat, wool clothing, and the familiar sound of your car starting.  But with the warmth of the sun beating through the blue sky, we were treated to beautiful icicles – translucent and glittering, suspended from the gutters.  Although we’re warmer now, the icicles remain, changing each day with the temperatures and the sun.

New Year’s in Kansas City

plaza-tower2-1-09I was fortunate to spend New Year’s in the Kansas City area with my family.  One of the unique sights of Kansas City is the Country Club Plaza area.  And it is even more beautiful during the holiday season, when the buildings are lined with lights.  I’ve made a point to photograph here whenever I’m in the area, and this trip I was lucky to have my niece Lucy photographing with me.  Although the night was cool by Kansas City standards, we had a grand time and enjoyed the festivities of the area.