Among the variety of benefits that are offered by owning a shearling coat, including fashion sense and price, shearling coats are also perfectly suited for all types of weather. Unlike most other types of coats and jackets made from animal skin, these coats possess all of the qualities that allow them to be worn in most types of cooler weather, from cool to very cold. It is for these reasons that shearling coats are considered a “best buy” among consumers.

Like other garments made from animal skin, a shearling coat’s primary function is keeping the wearer warm during the colder months – while looking great at the same time. But because shearling coats are made from sheepskin, they are thinner and lighter than other garments made of fur and can be worn comfortably in relatively warmer temperatures.

How is this possible? Shearling coats and jackets contain insulated lining and are able to “breathe,” meaning they allow some interchange between the air inside and outside the jacket. This means that in either warm or cold temperatures the coats don’t allow the temperature inside the jacket go too far into one extreme or the other. In colder temperatures, the temperature inside the coat or jacket is warm, but not hot or stifling; and in warmer temperatures, the material allows some air-flow to keep the wearer cool.

You can tell which type of coat it suited for the varying weather conditions by the length of the coat. Jackets and cats that extended to … Continue Reading ...

When you are writing a diary for your child, one of the simplest and most dramatic ways to begin a diary entry is with a description of the weather or something about nature you’ve recently observed. Why? Writing about the weather and nature invokes a spiritual response in us, inviting an awareness and appreciation of this moment, this day. And, when we awaken our own spirituality, we pass this onto the future reader of the diary as well.

Centering the Spirit

Taking a few moments to describe our physical environment in a diary entry is like taking a deep breath, noticing our feelings, our mood – the emotional climate of the Self on a given day. Reading May Sarton’s published journal, House by the Sea, inspired me to begin every diary entry with a description of the day’s weather. When Sarton wakes up, opens her journal, and notices the natural world around her, she wakes the reader too:

Saturday, November 16, 1974

“A serene dawn. I saw the sun first bathing my bureau in rich orange light, sat up, and caught the red disc just as it stood for a second exactly on the horizon’s rim. It is so silent all around that a moment ago when a single wave broke I was startled by its gentle roar.”

~ May Sarton, The House by the Sea

Writing about nature puts us in a reflective mood, offering a meditative opportunity to center ourselves before embarking on a busy day with children, … Continue Reading ...

Everyone knows that weather damages roofing, but have you ever thought about the roof destruction caused by animals? Animals like squirrels, raccoons, birds, rats, bats, and other small creatures can cause enormous amounts of harm.

Squirrels will chew through anything! Things like wood, aluminum, electrical wires, shingles, vents, and insulation. Many times, squirrels will chew through shingles and use insulation, drywall, wood, and more to build nests in roofs and attics. These nests can extend several feet, and large amounts of dry nesting combined with the squirrels’ wiring chewing causes an extreme fire hazard. Also, squirrels attract ticks and fleas which begin to accumulate in their nests and move on to people and pets in the home. To get rid of squirrels, it is not as simple as removing adult squirrels and patching up holes. They will only come back and tear through the holes again, especially if they have young in their nests. You have to remove the nests, adult squirrels, baby squirrels, and completely seal the building to prevent entry again.

Birds are famous for nesting in any place they can find. Their homes can be built in roof vents, chimneys, soffits, and in roofs. Nests that are built in, on, and around roofs cause fire hazards. Nests that are thick and extend in places like vents or chimneys can be very dangerous because they can block correct flow of oxygen and carbon monoxide can build up. Bird droppings can also be unsafe. Droppings are acidic and will … Continue Reading ...

Any outdoor hutch should provide your rabbit with sufficient protection from the weather. Depending on your location, your primary concern may be sun, rain, wind or snow. While all of these must be taken into consideration, each location will have its own challenges.

If you live in the north and get a lot of snow in the winter, you will want to find a plan with a reinforced roof. The roof should be slanted, allowing snow to slide off. The hutch should have enough solid walls to allow the rabbit a place to huddle to conserve body heat.

If your cage does not have several solid walls, you can put in a wooden or plastic house for your rabbit to hide in that will help them keep warm. Straw or hay can also be stuffed into the cage to help your rabbit stay warm.

If you get a lot of wind and rain, the slanted roof will still help. Make sure your hutch plans offer enough eaves around the edges of the roof to keep rain from blowing into the cage or dripping into the feed. The hutch should offer protection against the wind so the rabbit has a protected place to stay.

If sun is your primary problem, you will want a nice shady spot to situate your hutch. Make the eaves large enough to cast shadows over any openings into the hutch.

If you were thinking of a tin roof, you may want to rethink that option in … Continue Reading ...

Repeat after me: Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night will keep me from my appointed wedding.

Planning a wedding is one of the most stressful ventures you will ever survive. A million details must all seem to effortlessly fall into place. There has to be a point where one finally admits defeat and accepts anything fate can throw its way, right? After all, you can’t control everything. It’s not as if you can control the weather.

Not so fast.

You may not be able to control the weather on your wedding day just yet, but you can take a great number of precautions to ensure that your guests will not even notice that weather was ever a concern to you to begin with.

It’s not enough to know in what climate and what time of year you will be getting married. Surprise storms pop up all the time. As a matter of fact, I’ve never heard of a predicable storm. Even if you are not planning an outdoor wedding, it’s wise to ensure there will be a covered walkway and that your ushers have access to umbrellas. An outdoor summer wedding will require even further rain planning. Obviously, make sure there is enough tent space for all of your guests, food, gifts and sound equipment and that there are enough umbrellas to go around. One major common oversight is the walking space between key areas. If the wedding is held outdoors and a rain storm moves in, the … Continue Reading ...

The ideal positioning of Mozambique offers visitors a stunning opportunity to holiday in one of the most temperate climates available.

When planning a holiday, you can choose your seat on the plane; the hotel you will be staying in; and type of car you will drive while on holiday. Other aspects of the trip are not as easy to control – and can ultimately end up ruining an otherwise well-planned holiday: the weather. While we cannot control the weather, we can choose the time of year that we visit certain destinations. Mozambique is no different – however, the positioning of this prime piece of coastline means that visitors will not be disappointed with the weather conditions. Swimming, snorkeling, skiing, hiking and fishing are core activities to partake in while visiting Mozambique; which has the perfect sunny climate to accommodate all outdoor activities.

Mozambique Weather: Deciding when to go

To make an informed choice, it is best to gather as much information about the destination as possible before booking flights or accommodation. In Mozambique, the summer months are from October to March. During this time, a very high level of humidity is experienced, and temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius in many areas. The further inland one moves, the cooler it becomes – with the most humid areas found along the coast. From January to March, most of the summer rainfall occurs, and visitors are advised to pack clothing that is not only suited to the heat and humidity, but rainwear as … Continue Reading ...