Darth Vadar On Ice

This weather!!!

I actually forget what day I started writing this blog, but it doesn't really matter because this entry describes just one of many days this winter in NW Pennsylvania where the township where I live and that I so love (Erie Co. Wayne Twp.) now holds the record for the most snow in the entire Commonwealth so far this season. I realize that is a dubious thing to be known for, but just think -- it could be much worse.  Anyway ...

In addition to over 12 feet of snow so far this season -- it's not just cold here.  It is brutal. It was -14º (feels like -24º) when I first checked this morning.  Now it is up to -11º,  but it is okay because it only (feels like -11º ) so there must be no wind to at the moment.  And to think that today is the day I simply must make myself go out to run a couple of errands.  At least the temperature is moving in the right direction. I hear that it may reach zero today before it heads back down into the "belows" - as in below zero.  Today will be a hat, scarf, boots and gloves day (thankful here for long underwear), and I will put on my special cold weather coat before I leave… that will be layer number 4. 

This coat is worthy of further description -- this is an ugly down filled puffy coat that goes almost to my ankles. It has served me well for too many years to count. I reserve it for days like this one. It is black, waterproof, and has a rather scraggly looking fake fur lined hood as well -- sort of gives me a puffy fluffy 5' 2" Darth Vader appearance without the hardware. Now I am wondering if lightsabers give off any heat and am sort of wishing I had one to help melt ice as I walk the 200+ feet to my mailbox and then back. (Sometimes I even wear this coat if I drive my Jeep to get the mail.)  It is an impressive winter garb even if on the ugly side.  I can't forget to add that it has so much filler in it that it cushions falls on ice.  I know this from experience. I really should give the coat a name.

If you live in a "colder clime", you tend to think a lot about the weather. In NW Pennsylvania, we talk a lot about it too. Some refer to it as a "character builder" and maybe even take pride in being "hearty stock" or a "survivor".  Personally, however, I am relishing the current forecast of temperatures above 30º.  Around here that is sweatshirt weather. We talk about that too and laugh at people who think 50º is cold or who whine about what we call a dusting of snow... anything under 6 ". One more thing...  in spite of it all -- I must mention -- I prefer North to South.  I can always manage to get warmer.  I find it hard to get cooler. I dislike sweating. Plus -- I am am way past the shorts and sleeveless stage of life. I have become a lover of thick socks, jeans, and baggy sweaters with a scarf around my shoulders. I own at least 7 pair of boots that look worn-out because they sort of are.  This has become my uniform. It is my comfort zone. I have even been known to iron my jeans for dress up occasions.  No apologies. That is just one of the things I love about being my age.  You get away with stuff.

Hanging on here until Spring... Can't wait for  "I wonder where the birdies is...".

Stay warm and take care....   If you see a guy with a snow plow -- say Thank You!  

If you live somewhere around here where you know what it is like to feel like your eyeballs are freezing.  They are.  Time to go inside.

This too shall pass.

Like a Log

Sleep is an important and wonderful "thing". I am thankful for it. Ironically... as a child you can't wait until you are grown up so that you can stay up late. Late was around 9 PM in my childhood world.  Then when you are older... or old...  trying to stay awake until 9 PM may be a difficult goal to attain.  I rarely make it until then. Some say that "9 PM is the new midnight" or "the older I get, the earlier it gets late." Have you noticed that sleep is a popular topic?

"Hit the Hay."

"Catch some Z's."

Sleep tight; don't let the bed bugs bite."

"Sweet dreams."

"Call it a day."

"Slept like a log."

Do sleep phrases run in families?  There certainly are a lot of ways to talk about it.

Another thing I've noticed is that people sleep differently. Some are night owls. Others, not so much.  I usually crash early and fall asleep within minutes without even thinking about it.  It happens rarely, but ...  if I wake up in the middle of the night and fall back asleep, I have weird dreams that I often do not want to remember or even think about.  Mostly though, since I go to bed earlyish, I just get up when I wake up at 3 or 4.  The predawn hours are peaceful, quiet and, being an almost morning person, I often work on a blog or do desk work.  If, for some reason, I do sleep in to a "normal" time, I feel like half the day is gone and everything feels off. I am behind before I even begin. My son jokes that people of my generation can get an entire day's work done before 8 AM.  The thing is -- I am starting to see this wake up early tendency in both my kids and they are not even 50 yet. Is it hereditary?

Is it true that a person needs less sleep as they get older? Personally I think that is a myth.  Are naps a good thing? Why do "they" call some naps "power naps"? Personally I wish I could nap more.  Nothing quite like waking up from a rare nap and wondering what day it is. 

One last sleep related idea -- I personally think that sleep will always be an interesting topic to contemplate -- and to talk and write about.  Every single human being sleeps... every single one. 

Five February Thoughts for the day + 1 ...

 

1. February is, without a doubt, the longest month of the year. Ask anyone who lives in snow country.

2. "When you are dead, you don't know that you are dead. It is difficult only for others.    It is the same when you are stupid." (unknown, but it sounds like something Sen. John N. Kennedy of Louisiana would say.)

3. "Did I offend you with my common sense?" (imprinted on a mug)

4.Question from me:  Have you ever seen hand railings in any photos taken in Europe? I have seen lots and lots of steps in photos  – never any railings.  I simply do not know how people get around there.  Guess people died younger when everything was built in that part of the world.  Are there not any elderly or disabled people there now?  I mean – some of those breathtakingly beautiful ancient cities in Italy, Greece, and throughout Europe seem to be carved out of a mountain and the ups and downs are seriously insurmountable – in my opinion. If I lived there, I would have to live at the bottom and hope that people would bring me food or just roll it down the mountain in a slow moving basket with a tight lid. 

5. Personal favorite:  Words on a suicide prevention sweatshirt:

                             You are enough.... (front)

                 Dear person behind me,

                         the world is a better place with you in it.

                                                       Love,

                                       the person in front of you  (back)

Just one more -- Winter cannot last forever... it just seems that way.