I Hate Global Warming

    My commute to my Cornell office gives me time to muse about the state of the world both locally and globally.   On this early December day I lament the mild and rainy weather.  It should be snowing and cold.   Our local ski area should be making snow at least.  However neither of those conditions exist.   Dairy cows that normally reside in their snug barns are grazing on  green grass.   Harvested soy bean and corn fields lie bare to the sullen low flying clouds.   And the bare, recently manured fields spice the air with the pungent odor of cow manure.
   I hate global warming!  Post Thanksgiving, skiers in Upstate New York should be on the slopes.  Perhaps I was spoiled by last years ski season.   We were on the slopes shortly after Thanksgiving and I even had a record 20 days of skiing before January 1.  Doesn't look like skiing will start much before Christmas.  Sunday I passed by Greek Peak.   One slope had the appearance of a dappled horse's flank.   Small separated patches of white against a dun brown background.   Alas, warm weather is predicted for at least the next 10 days.
   While the delayed start of my ski season is an annoyance, it is not such a dire circumstance as the potential change in sea level inundating many cities and parts of the world.   Nor is it as dire as the disruption of the ecosystems.   It is predicted that global warming will increase extreme variations in weather.   Perhaps we are seeing that this year.   Parts of the Western United States and the Midwest have been inundated with snow and rain, while the East has been dryer and hotter.
     Meanwhile my geezer skier friends in the East, we will have to be patient for the time being.   However, Going to the gym, walking the treadmill, or simply walking the neighborhood will have to do for now.