Cold Snow Day

Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/5, 1/300 sec, ISO200
“Covered Deck” Cedar Park, 2021

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today we woke up to several inches of snowfall here in Central Texas as well as to a bitter cold. Because of the latter, we’ve been experiencing electrical outages throughout the state. That caused my work to cancel several of today’s meetings. Thankfully, our house hasn’t been affected by the blackouts, but it seems like all my friends have. I hope our good luck continues through the night. (fingers crossed)

The snow was actually kind of fun to experience! Lani had a few moments of confusion this morning when I let her out to do her business. She didn’t know where the lawn was, so I put on my boots and walked down the stairs to the grass, and then she got enough courage to find a place to pee. 😅

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec, ISO200
“Confused Dog” Cedar Park, 2021

During my lunchbreak I bundled up and went for a little walk toward the mailbox and back. There was so much snow on the ground and lots of kids were having snowball fights. Surprisingly, there were no snowmen, even though there was a ton of snow to work with. I think it was just too cold! (19°F / -7°C) I recorded my walk using my GoPro, and you can see the video at the bottom of the post. Enjoy, and stay warm!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/7.1, 1/4700 sec, ISO200
“Snowy Street” Cedar Park, 2021
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/7.1, 1/750 sec, ISO200
“Growing Icicles” Cedar Park, 2021

The Big Freeze

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/140 sec, ISO200
“Icy Tree” Cedar Park, 2021

Here in Central Texas, we’re experiencing some very cold weather.

Unfortunately, the arctic blast also came with freezing rain which made for a mess on the highways and in peoples’ yards.

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/110 sec, ISO200
“Mini-Icicles” Cedar Park, 2021

One of the trees in our backyard got so weighed down with ice, that a major branch snapped. Luckily there was no damage to our house or deck. I’m hoping that’s the only damage we’ll see, but there are a few more days of even colder temperatures to suffer through. Come on, trees! がんばってね!

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/100 sec, ISO400
“Broken Tree” Cedar Park, 2021

Stay warm, ATX friends!

Local Natural Disasters

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.6, 1/125 sec, ISO1000
“Tornado Warning” Cedar Park, 2019

Growing up in California, I’ve experienced several earthquakes when I was younger, then when I was in Japan, we had earthquakes and typhoons, and now in Texas, we have severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. I’m wondering what places don’t have much extreme weather. Maybe the Scandinavian countries are relatively free from natural disasters, but I personally think anywhere that gets snow on the ground for more than a week is too extreme for me. 😆

How about South American countries? Do they have hurricanes or earthquakes? I have no idea…

Anyways, we had a powerful storm blow through, with lightning, hail, and even a tornado in the area. Luckily, our neighborhood only experienced high winds and heavy rain… but it’s always a bit scary when the weatherman says, “Now’s the time for you to go to your safe space.” 😨

Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.6, 1/125 sec, ISO3200
“Scary Clouds” Cedar Park, 2019

I hope you had a nice-weather day!

またね〜

Stormy Day and Chankonabe ちゃんこ鍋

"Severe Weather" Cedar Park, 2019
Photo info: motorola moto g(6), 3.95mm, f/1.8, 1/30 sec, ISO206
“Severe Weather” Cedar Park, 2019

A severe storm rolled through our part of Texas today. Luckily, there wasn’t any damage to our house, just plenty of rain and anxiety!

Later on in the evening we enjoyed a yummy pot of chankonabe ゃんこ鍋. This is a hotpot that is popular with sumo wrestlers because it helps to bulk them up. We’ve never made it at home before, so this was a special treat. 😄

"ちゃんこ鍋" Cedar Park, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 35mm, f/2, 1/105 sec, ISO400
“ちゃんこ鍋” Cedar Park, 2019

As the day ended, the skies cleared and we were treated to a nice sunset.

"Clearing Skies" Cedar Park, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4, 1/240 sec, ISO200
“Clearing Skies” Cedar Park, 2019

I hope you had a good day!

またね~

Curry Night and Sandal Weather

"Simple Curry" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.8, 1/125 sec, ISO1250
“Simple Curry” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。As you can see from the photo above, it’s curry nite at the Fujimoto house! Tonight’s curry was just a “basic” curry as my wife calls it. It had potatoes and sliced beef, a mild spiciness, but served over hot rice, it really warms you up! 🍛

"Birkenstock Time" Austin, 2018
Photo info: Motorola Moto G (4), 3.64mm, f/2, 1/30 sec, ISO200
“Birkenstock Time” Austin, 2018

But today was actually very warm – the upper 70s in fact! So, this evening I felt right at home wearing my Birkenstock sandals out and about. However, this warm weather only lasts a few more hours as a cold front is hitting us overnight and temperatures will drop 40 degrees. Brrrr! 🌬

I hope you had a nice day!

おやすみ