Odds and ends

Things you might have been wondering about:

1. This morning's temperature was 32 degrees, but we'll warm up to the low 50s. Later this week the daytime high will be 71. Saturday, I was shopping without a coat in El Paso.
2. Van Horn is pronounced "VAN horn." I still don't get it right most of the time.
3. Our elevation is just about 4,000 feet.
4. Yes, we do get snow. The average is 3.3 inches a year.
5. It will get cold. Locals tell me it can get down into the 20s. They shiver when they say that.
6. I experienced my first sandstorm yesterday. The wind howled so much, I couldn't tell if the trains were running, and that's quite a feat, as the tracks are a block away. I could barely see Turtleback Mountain most of the day.
7. The mayor comes into my office nearly every day to say "hello," and to chat for a few minutes. He calls me "sis." I like that.
8. The desert is drying up. We're losing the green of summer, but in its place, the grasses are turning to a beautiful bleached golden color.
9. Tumbleweeds are starting to roll into town.