Thin Ice

As you all know, I live in the Scandahoovian Hinterlands. It's cold here. Very cold.

However, we Scandahoovians are hearty breeds. We love us some winter activities. Snowmobiling, ice fishing, skiing ~ of the cross country and downhill types ~ and so many others.

Ice fishing is one I don't understand...but then I don't understand regular summer time fishing either. Going out on the ice, drilling a hole and sitting there for hours, where you may or may not catch a fish is not my idea of fun.

Going out on the ice is the biggest deal breakers for me. I just can't wrap my head around driving a huge arsed vehicle out on our many lakes and rivers. Yes, we're cold here in the Hinterlands, and yes, the ice does get very thick, but still. I always think about falling through while in a vehicle.

We're bombarded with stories around this time of year, stating that the ice may or may not be thick enough, and to use caution when out on the rivers and lakes.

Today on the way into work, there was a news story about how a 46 year old man was doing well after falling through the ice. He told his rescuers that he fell though as he was walking the ice edge, trying to determine how thick the ice was. Um, yeah. Darwinian thinking much? If there is an edge to the ice where you can see open water? The ice isn't thick enough, and you should stay the hell off.

But then that's just me...City Nonnie, who thinks these sportsmen are crazy to begin with.

Until later...

In Winter

Every mile is two in winter.

~ George Herbert

The holidays are well and truly over. Tomorrow I go back to work and the boys go back to school. I've been at home since Thursday night and yet, I wish I could stay here a few more days.

It's mighty cold outside you see. The temps have been below zero all day and I shudder to think of what the windchill is.

As far as I know there is no end in sight for the cold. You'd think I'd be used to it by now, having lived in the Hinterlands my whole life, but no. I whine and kvletch as much each year as I did the last.

The thought of getting up and heading out tomorrow seems unbarable, but I know I'll do it...even if each mile seems like two.

Until Later...

Goals Not Met

I didn't make it.

My goal was to keep the heat off until the first of November. We were almost there, but last night temps dropped to the teens here in the Hinterlands and I caved.

I figured that it was better that the monsters didn't wake up with frost on their eyelashes. Plus, I was too cold to sleep when I went to bed, so I knew it was turn it on or suffer all night.

As goals go, I'm not too upset that this one wasn't accomplished.

Until later...

Just Once....

It's winter in the Hinterlands...and I mean it is winter! We've had some of the coldest weather I can remember in the past two weeks and almost no snow, which if I'm going to have cold, I want snow to go with it.

Since the boys began to roughhouse and play outside, I've not made it through a winter without having to buy another coat, or another pair of snowpants, or another hat, or another pair of gloves. Not one winter.

Apparently, this winter is no exception. Bugaboo came out of school yesterday with his jacket open. The Nonnie in me was getting ready to lecture about the fact that it was cold and he NEEDED to zip up, when he got in the car and said, "I need a new coat." Yes, the zipper had broken on his coat.

Now, some other mom might take her son to the fabric store, grab a new zipper and spend the evening ripping out the old one and putting in the new one. I'm not one of those moms. Bugaboo and I went up to a neighboring town and bought him the same jacket he started the winter with, albeit on clearance.

So, he'll go to school again today with a jacket that zips and I'll start dreaming those parental dreams of something lasting more than one season...It does happen, doesn't it?

Until later...