Here in Southern California, few people actually have the appropriate outer wear for cold, rain, or snow. So it's kind of funny to be having coffee at a coffee house near a transportation hub, nice and warm inside, see the rain pouring down outside, and watch all the people who have used plastic trash bags to fashion rain-coats of sorts or who are holding plastic bags over their heads, racing down the streets.
Umbrellas are sold here, particularly by enterprising street venders who buy some wholesale downtown and head out. They are mostly made in China and good for one storm, one blast of cold air. Then they turn inside out or break off and go into the trash bins.
It's been raining off and on for a couple days, and I'm seeing men outside without hats or umbrellas, without sweaters or jackets. I'm seeing women who have matching hats and scarves; they must have them stored away for years for the opportunity to wear them!
Maybe you can appreciate that we endured weeks of above average temperatures - in the nineties and the hundreds - this past summer, and that means that when it goes down into the forties or fifties we've experienced a temperature crash. I'm OK with the outside temperature in the 60's but one recent morning at five, I needed to take my very patient dog outside already, and it was thirty seven degrees and windy. There was black ice on the street. I was creaking. Steam came up from under the dog as she went.
THAT'S COOOOLD.
But I promised I wouldn't complain about the cold when it was too hot out.
On the news, the POLAR VORTEX, the reason for this FREEZE. I looked at the map and long underwear sales must be fierce in much of the United States.
I think of our ancestors who came to the states from the cold and remained living in the cold, as if cold was their heritage and their inheritance. Seems like many of these people were bodily acclimated to cold weather. Did they really not notice it? Not mind it? Were they just sturdier people? I think of Native Americans. I think of Colonials. I think of dwellings without insulation or central heating. Hovering near a fire place.
For me, this stretch of rain and cold just makes me want to burrow in. If I could, I'd be cabin bound. Instead I'm doing a little more decorating, baking, sewing, and crocheting, than usual.
Happy Holidays to All My Readers!
