I grew up in New York State’s North Country. Below-zero cold was not unusual. Mountains of snow were the norm in the winter, although we were actually north of the “snow belt” which lies east of Lake Ontario. After every big snow, my uncle Howard (“Brig”) Young would come by with his snowplow-equipped Jeep. When he left we had a clear driveway flanked by snow cliffs from which we occasionally dug play-caves (an activity that would certainly be discouraged today). I remember all-over-frosted storm windows and using a hair dryer on car doors too frozen for the key to fit.
These days my car has a remote starter and heated seats, but I am still dreading the frigid weather predicted for this week and considering the option of cancelling all my appointments on Wednesday. Perhaps I’ve become addicted to comfort.
There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. Jane Austin
After a couple of days of being comfortable at home, though, I find myself inventing errands. ” I should really go to Costco for gas while the price is low.” “I need to go to Target.” “I’m all out of sweet vermouth.” Crucial things like that.
After several years I’ve adjusted to being retired. But, because John was still working until a few months ago, I still knew what a weekend is. The absence of a work-imposed structure is a mixed blessing, I’m still trying to accommodate that, and I’ve ordered a new tool to help me. I love to-do lists. I’m a doodler. I take notes in meetings to help me remember what I’ve promised to-do. And I have a real weakness for blank journals. As a result, I have stacks of cute notebooks but often can’t find the info I need. So I ordered a refillable Filofax organizer in pillar-box red. When it came I was shocked by the size and weight of it; apparently I had overestimated both how much info I want to record and my willingness to carry it around. My purchase is on its way back to the warehouse and I’m eagerly awaiting its replacement, still pillar-box red but half the size. I’m hoping it helps me to feel organized. Cold, but organized.