What do we talk about? We talk about how COLD it is, and how we are about to DIE of COLDNESS. Then we complain that it might be COLD for more days, and agree that this COLD is UNACCEPTABLE. We say we hate these cold, dark days and we can't believe we have to live through them again, because that's not how we roll and why, dear god, does the earth have to tilt on its axis and take us away from the beautiful sun that we worship and crave.
Sherry, it has been cold. Mostly it is in the forties, but last week it was in the THIRTIES, and no one can live through that. We stayed inside (which is horrible) and didn't even drink on the porch because that would lead straight to hypothermia and death of COLD.
We do not mostly talk of dressing for cold. Dressing for cold is just one more indignity of cold. It covers our fading tans and is hard to move in and you have to take jackets on and off. The only tiny possible sliver of benefit is that I get to wear scarves and hats that are important. I wear a plaid wool scarf from my grandpa. My sister knit me a hat. I have a fuzzy scarf and hat that I made. Just this weekend, Ali is knitting me wristwarmers (with yarn from my aunt!), which I desperately need for my ride into work. Because my wrists get cold, because the temperature is cold, which is just awful. We talk about missing summer. Tall, light-flooded, hot, beautiful summer. It can't come too soon. This winter bullshit needs to end.
My five year old son C-Dog and I had a delightful three-quarter-mile walk to school this morning, crunching through two inches of fresh snow in the stillness of the eight degree above zero dawn.
There is no bad weather, only insufficient gear.
Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=565158296 | December 14, 2009 at 08:43 AM
Yes, this dratted cold stuff is not why we moved to California!!!
Posted by: Chris | December 14, 2009 at 08:48 AM
Honey - we are just beginning to settle in here on the East Coast for a 4 month wintry nocturne. You Californians are completely spoiled. You may have lost this reader with the lament of the fading tan. Good grief.
Posted by: Jen | December 15, 2009 at 03:15 AM
I look forward to your winters' stay with me in Finland :P
Posted by: Joseph | December 15, 2009 at 04:42 AM
Hey Joe! I'll visit for sure, but only in summer, for the twenty hour days.
Posted by: Megan | December 15, 2009 at 08:34 AM
Don't forget (in addition to hats + scarves) delightfully fuzzy sweaters!
PS - Sherry, I have a mock turtleneck fleece sweatshirt that is PERFECT for keeping all the warm in, though it would be even better with a zip neck, for letting some body heat out when need be. Still love it for the coldest days though! And I always tuck in the bottom layer, to keep the heat from escaping out the bottom of my shirt - unless you then heat up and need to let some steam out.
Still haven't needed to wear tights under my pants yet this winter though.
Posted by: AL | December 15, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Megan, did you get your chard in yet? My radishes have been outstanding. I like to pair them in fish tacos with the bass that is always a good bite on Lake Shasta this time of year.
Posted by: margie | December 15, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Hah! My sister just harvested her radishes. I've been such a slacker on my winter garden. I'll have to start from scratch in January, even though the soil will be cold.
Posted by: Megan | December 15, 2009 at 10:22 AM
I'm pretty sure canned blueberry jam is the winter garden of maine.
Posted by: AL | December 16, 2009 at 12:56 PM