Winter Cold

The winter cold brings the winter cold. Your choice on which comes first. Alas, I thought I was free and clear. I took the week off between Christmas and New Years and was happy to not go anywhere. And then, I got it. The bug. I don't think I got the really bad bug, but a bug nevertheless. So now after of week of this, my lungs still feel like I inhaled an old curtain left hanging in a Nevada nuclear test site trailer years ago. (Aw, a little hyperbole never hurt anyone.) Really, it did feel like I inhaled some sort of dog eared rag in my sleep. 

And, now to bring misery to my misery, the barbaric cold is here (again and again and again). It is that ruthless fifteen below zero with winds whipping so hard you don't want to open your mouth because your fillings will crack. The wind howling outside sounds like a big tank rumbling through the neighborhood that never ever arrives. 

Still, I can't help think about every generation that came before us that didn't park in an insulated garage, have cars that started up after a two second groan, cars that heated up within the first five miles or had all of thirty feet to walk to their work place where they would once again be warm, snugly and safe. 

And then I realized that, hey, I know people that still have to go out into that cold and make sure their animals are fed, warm and safe or hang their head out of trucks delivering mail to the same number of mailboxes they deliver mail to when it is 70 and sunny. 

Our little dog Sophie still has to do her business outside and girl, does she ever get 'er done quickly. So, to all my fearless and furless heroes who have to brave the bitter cold outside this year, here's hats off to you. 

I'm switching to ear muffs. 

Happy New Year everyone!