January 21, 2025, the 21st day of 2025
Into the Cold
Now, when I can avoid going out in the bitter cold, I do. For years I could not. I just had to. It wasn't a matter of preference, but necessit... View MoreJanuary 21, 2025, the 21st day of 2025
Into the Cold
Now, when I can avoid going out in the bitter cold, I do. For years I could not. I just had to. It wasn't a matter of preference, but necessity or commitment.
But it taught me a certain degree of toughness, that stuck with me. I don't like to whimp out, even if I enjoy snuggling up in the house with the wood stove going, pets surrounding me and drinking coffee, hot tea or hot cocoa.
This morning -27°F was not the temperature I was hoping for when I went out to got to my sister's home.
We had made plans weeks ago, understanding that this is usually one of the coldest weeks of the year. Still, I hoped that it would be a little warmer today, not the coldest day of the year.
But still, winter is winter and unless you are going to hibernate, you must face going out into it.
So, I put on way more clothes than I usually do, my warmest pants, t-shirt, vest and heavy long sleeved shirt.
Though I wear my hoodie for my coat when I can get away with it, this is one of the weeks that I usually cannot.
So, it was my winter coat, knit hat, hood up, with a scarf and boots. And because I usually only need knit fingerless gloves, I borrowed my son's warn leather ones.
I could not move graceful at all and adding a backpack was no simple thing in that get up.
But, I definitely wasn't overdressed. I had to take off the bulky glove to open and shut the gate latch, and that was enough to make my fingertips ache. I put it back on swiftly.
The walk down the road to the driveway is a gorgeous one in good weather, but not so much in this weather.
My sister met me half way and we walked back together. I have hardly ever seen her in a hat, much less and hat and scarf. But the temps had still been dropping, not rising, so we knew we needed to be dressed for it.
Even with full sun and no wind to speak of, our cheeks were red and it took a bit for the chill to leave when we got inside, but the piping hot coffee my sister had really helped.
Stay strong! Sometimes the extremes make us appreciate the less extreme times more fully.
NAN
