Keeping Warm

I don't mind December so much around here because mostly it's snow and that means it's relatively warm. The key word is relative.

However, January is my least favorite month because that's when the howling bitter cold makes it's entrance. And I mean bitter cold.

Yesterday afternoon I was running an errand for the Farmer and noticed that I was getting low on gas. Believe me, you do not want a small amount of gas in your car when the bitter cold hits. Gas line freeze is a real problem. We're still not the coldest part of the country where they have to plug their cars into heater so that their enging block doesn't freeze.

I'm thinking tonight of those living on the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior who drive across the frozen lake in wintertime to get to town on the mainland. Would I EVER feel the ice was thick enough to drive across Superior? NO!!! It's the darkest, deepest and most dangerous body of water I've ever encountered. My sister and I crossed it in a ferry on Thanksgiving weekend one year and were chilled to the bone and not just from the temperature. That lake reeks of danger.

I stopped at the gas station and in the time it took to pump gas I was literally freezing, even though I had warm wool mittens and a scarf around my head. The wind cuts right through any clothing other than snowmobile gear.

The weatherman was promising that the temps were going way, way down and I was wishing for a big pot bellied stove to warm myself.



To be honest, they look really cool and the burning wood gets very hot but if you step further than five steps away, you are FREEZING. This is the big pot bellied stove out at Josie's Antiques and it's the only heat in her large outbuilding. There's no way in hell this stove can heat anything larger than a small space.

For the life of me I cannot imagine how the settler's survived and I'm dumbfounded that the Indians could survive at all. I've been in a wigwam and cannot even fathom spending one night in the dead of winter keeping warm.


Inside the wigwam at Boone County Heritage Gardens.

I guess there's something to be said for tight spaces and body heat.

Midwest Meterological Wonderment

How's that for a blog title?

Unlike other parts of the country we've had plenty of snow this year. Enough that the village snowplow took out our mailbox on Christmas!

Yesterday I showed you a case of whiteout. There have been many instances of that this year. We've also had lots of hoarfrost which is unusual because normally we only see one or two a year. It seems to be a daily occurrence here lately.

I'm sure if you search the term on a search engine you'd come up with a scientific explanation of how it's formed. But in the case of hoarfrost, I don't care. Sometimes knowning all the details just spoils the magic. You know what I mean?

And you can be assured that hoarfost is magic.


The view from my sewing room window last winter.

It creates a fairy wonderland in white. There are some benefits to living in a cold climate. Some of you may not believe that but it's true. Last week when I was driving out to visit my mom, the entire countryside appeared as if the sky had opened up and sprinkled powdered sugar over everything. Every surface was covered. Such a thing of beauty could make a person weep.


Grove of trees dusted in hoarfrost.

This morning we were treated to the magic yet again.

I had to drive a mile or so to the town hall where they issued me a temporary mailbox. Here's the long view from our town hall west towards the town.



It's not exactly a town in the traditional sense. There's a cluster of homes and two churches. In the distance you'll see the old country church. There are no shops or gas stations.

Here's a closer look at the scene.



The Farmer and I were raised within spitting distance of the city of Chicago and city life holds no excitement for us. We don't miss the crush of people, the smell of bus fumes, etc. etc. We're happy to live in a peaceful setting.

Like I said, the natural beauty could make a person weep.