Friday, December 12, 2008

Northeast winters...





Apparently winter days up here (the up being from Texas from whence I came) come in two equally wretched flavors: ridiculously, absurdly cold and dry or warmish with buckets of rain falling from the sky. 

Please believe me when I say that I am not in favor of global warming, but I thought the silver lining behind that black cloud would be that I could leave the house to do morning chores without putting on every single thing I own? I am literally impervious to knife attack in my work clothes. 

I know I'm whining and it's not even January yet and it's gonna get a lot colder and blah, blah, blah. Fine. I'm a big ole baby. But, unlike most people, I am out in the weather. A lot. Not just while I'm waiting for the train (which I remember totally sucking) or while walking the dog around the block twice a day. Not between the house and the car and the car and the office. 

I am out in this mess for hours, people.  

This morning we woke up to find that the wee creek in our backyard had become a raging river suitable for whitewater rafting.  The water was really powerful and loud as it rushed under our tiny foot bridge, pictured above. Funny story: Erin suggested that I not walk on the bridge, but I really wanted to get a picture of the waterfall above it, so I smiled and nodded and ignored her. Not 20 seconds later I slipped on a wet leaf and nearly found myself in the drink. And as I fell I thought, "Erin is never gonna let me hear the end of this."  Thanks heavens I did not fall in the water because wet and stupid is no way to start the day.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad you didn't go in. That bridge looked scary without a raging river under it!

Maggie said...

Do you have any Carharrts? My dad works outside for a living year-round and swears by them when it's well and truly cold. I believe he prefers to get the overalls and jackets (or even the full suit) to wear over his regular clothes.
http://www.carhartt.com

I have no suggestions for keeping your hands warm, because he's got hands that are like leather, and never wears gloves at all. Crazy man.

Writer Bug said...

I'm writing to respond to your earlier post about Biscotti, since I'm just seeing it now. I am SO sorry! I know how devastating the loss of pets can be, and I know how much you loved Biscotti. And I also know there's not much anyone can say to help, but do know I'm thinking of you.

Anonymous said...

Especially with your camera in your hand!

And yes, we're a little worried about the weather next Saturday since none of us is used to being out in the cold for more than 20 minutes at a time. (Which, yes, is the time it takes to walk Chappy around the block.) And Mom gets cold a lot faster than she used to! We're hoping HARD for perfect, sunny weather on the 20th because otherwise there could be a problem! (grin)

Anonymous said...

My sister-in-law swears by boot and mitten warmer packets. For years she was the local high school's marching band and color guard choreographer and while not toting bales of hay and rasslin' sheep and goats, she was out in the New England weather and they helped her keep warm.

Sending warm hugs and thoughts!

Susan said...

Don't talk crazy Deb! We are going to be standing around a ginormous bonfire. One of the tutorials I read said it might be too hot to stand less than 50 feet from the fire.

Anonymous said...

We had our road wash out today for the first time, which is a miracle in itself. This is our 3rd winter here and I am still surprised by the whole crazy mad water thing. There streams near us that weren't even damp patches before! Welcome to the neighborhood, Honey, and mind those wet leaves.

Turtle said...

lol, so it is usually just a "crick"? smile, hubbys and my family always have little "disputes" over words that seem to be east coast vs west coast, etc. Creek/crick porch/stoop dresser/bureau soda/pop just a few. Glad you saved yourself, your bottom, and your camera

|chee-uh| said...

I'm flying to nice, cold MN next week. Yup, believe it or not, the hot CA weather actually drives me nuts! I miss the snow.

Jenny said...

You don't need to justify why you hate the cold. The cold sucks. ESPECIALLY if you're actually out in it. Bitch and complain away, you have every right to.

I've tagged you, btdubs.

Um, cogicked is the word verification I have to write. That definitely is a real word now, I'm just not sure what it means yet. Or if I should pronounce it Co-Jicked or Cog-Icked.

Dana S. Whitney said...

SO glad the river didn't wash you down stream... where would you end up? The East Hudson somewhere?
And the second scariest water experience I ever had was in a flash flood here in FLAT Dallas at Samuell Farm near I-20. A trickle in the evening and a 60 foot wide raging (MUDDY) torrent by morning.
Glad you're safe.

Anonymous said...

re: working out in the cold - try www.wintersilks.com. Lightweight thermals that keep you toasty warm, especially if you're active while wearing them. I got some before we moved from SoCal to Europe and I wear 'em 6 months out of the year. They're just the ticket!! Hilary in Germany