I guess it has something to do with age. The kids that have been out and about for the past few days in the freezing weather do not seem to be bothered by 28 degrees. I am not so lucky. My bones are feeling the chill for the first time. Maybe this isn’t the first time I have been cold. I mean, I did live in Colorado high up in the Rockies for several years and it was nothing to see a minus sign in front of the temperature.
But, it seems that these days are a bit different. I have been up every morning going for a walk. Admittedly, I am the one who looks like an Inuit, not the others on the sidewalk. I even pulled out my ear warmer from the days of skiing down the snowy slopes. And, for heaven’s sake, I am so thankful for those bib overalls. I can keep my flannel pj bottoms on and pull the bibs up over them. It really came as no surprise when a neighbor asked if I had gained a few pounds.
Needless to say, the neighbor is not exactly on my all time hit parade list —- maybe a hit list, but…. Well, even after the world’s biggest and fattest dinner a couple of nights ago, I haven’t gained any pounds. In fact, I may be down a few. I’m thinking I am down a stone since I last weighed. Anyway, with so many layers I must admit that I do look as if someone pumped air into a bib overall balloon. And, I can promise it won’t hurt if I should fall. I won’t feel a thing unless I land on my hands or my head. (No comments on the head part, please.)
So, this morning following several cups of coffee to get warmed up before going for my morning walk I thought I would have been prepared for the cold. Oh, I know. I shouldn’t be complaining about 28 degrees. I’m not complaining about the temperature. If anything, it felt rather exhilarating to the face. But, these old bones were feeling the chill.
Niels, please don’t make fun if you read this. I do know that Norway is much colder. And, I do wonder how many layers you wear under your bibs. But, for an old southern belle who thinks 60 degrees requires a sweater… Well, you get the idea.
Anyway, I could hardly wait to get back into the house this morning. It was still semi-dark when I returned home. And, again, Niels please don’t go off on me about months of daylight and months of darkness.
The coffee I “rented” before I left the house was ready to break the lease when I got home. It isn’t hard to get out of bibs but I must confess that getting out of several layers beneath the bibs became a rather daunting affair. Once out of the layers of unattractive attire, mostly flannel and quite comfortable, the coffee was allowed to break the lease.
I was so darn tired from shivering in the cold, the walk, and the race to undress that I headed for the bed to snuggle under the covers. That’s when I thought of the chest of duvets. I was willing to spend the time looking for the right one. I bought it in Denmark I think, more years ago than I care to count. But, with careful attention it has lasted many winters and still proves to be the best way to get warm on those cold mornings when these old bones need to thaw out. Today I am thankful for the chest full of duvets.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Maya, no laughing from me, on the contrary ! more tomorrow, being busy with grant proposals etc. etc. in my warm overalls !:)
Niels,
Speaking of grant proposals, my son is deep in the process. My daughter-in-law is doing the same at her university. Most of the older neighbors in the U.S. are trying to make the Medicare Part D decisions. (I’m not quite old enough for that yet.) So, I am trying to remain quiet in the background as I go about my days. That’s a benefit of being 60 and unemployed. Not old enough for some stuff and too old (or too retired) for other stuff. Good luck with your grants.
By the way, I have noticed that I do my best work in bibs.
Maya
Well, I would like to be thankful, but I have to admit that I am not thankful for the weather right now here, since there is almost no snow, but all streets and roads are icy ! and we live up on the mountain on a very steep road and when you are belonging to the very special group of folks, who have never learned to drive a car, you have to have spikes under your shoes and still take care not to fall off the street due to the extreme icy surface ! well, having to do that every dark morning, it is mandatory to wear overalls, so you at least can breathe all the way and feel your body as a whole ! If it is really cold, I add a whole woolen thing under the t-shirt and then above t-shirt some of my lovely woolen sweaters knitted by my wife. I love baggy overalls, but I must also admit that some of my overalls bought some years ago begin to be too narrow (cannot understand why !:)) and then to duvets, yes, I know duvets, sometimes I just sleep under a duvet ! really nice !
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