When the Weather Outside is Frightening

As this is typed, the thermometer says -5 F for the temperature, with wind chill of -25 F.  For you not on the United States temperature charts, that is -21 Celsius.  That's me on the map right where the swooshing purple arrow line is saying VERY COLD. We in Minneapolis are 7 degrees colder than Anchorage, Alaska, but in fairness to claims of being the ice box of the world, still 20 degrees warmer than the North Pole.  This is not a post to bemoan the weather, or get  sympathy comments.  We choose where we live, and there must be something that keeps a person rooted to a place, despite the freezing temperatures or the blistering heat.  (We get that in the summer as well!) Weather and how people adapt is a state of mind and perception.  If it was 40 degrees and sunny, I can guarantee my fellow Minnesotans would be running around with light jackets at most, and some possibly in shorts.  Two years ago on our day wait for a Caribbean cruise in Florida, a gray cloudy day, but with temperatures still in the mid 60's, had the Floridians in double and triple layers, gloves, and ear bands, while we lounged pool side.

Today though, it is cold no matter what you are used to. Yet, we still get up and go to work and school, run errands, and take care of our families and pets.  Vanity and looking nice go out the window, and there are tricks and treats used for these frigid days. 

• Flannel lined socks and tights are a blessing under neath pants, and for those that  insist on skirts, make that doable.
• Warm and water resistant boots.  Mine are Totes and they go all the way up to my knee. 
• Long underwear.  This is not your grampa's stuff, but cute little thin undergarments, barely noticeable, that add that nice little barrier between cold drafts and your skin. The brand I have even has a cute name-Cuddle Duds.
• EOS lip balm, with a hint of color keeps lips moist and resistant to the drying air, but doesn't have that waxiness some lip balms do. 
• Thick hand cream to prevent the side effects from skin badly dehydrated from the cold and wind.  I find you can't have too thick a cream or apply too often to prevent the little painful dry skin cuts. 
• The coffee pot, tea kettle, and good supply of either brews or hot chocolate, and a nice big mug.  Keeping the inside warm does wonders for the outside, and there is simple pleasure in holding that mug with both hands as you sip.  The pleasure increases proportionally to the thermometer dropping.

These are a few of my  cold coping strategies. To end, I love this meme from Funnyand.com.    It sums up life here on these most brutal of days so well, and asks the important question that is really hard to answer with rationale sometimes.

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