Jessie: In NH thinking about cold New England winters
As much as it pains me to admit it, we’ve had the heat on in the house. Leaves have turned, the beaches are empty and the stores have started stocking scrapers for the car. There’s no denying, at least here, that winter is almost around the corner. All of my family, on both sides, hails from Maine which means I’ve inherited a lot of collective wisdom on surviving the longest season. Here are my favorite tips from over the years:
1- If the pipes aren’t frozen your blood’s not frozen. You’ll be fine.
2-Never turn the heat on, or up, if you aren’t already wearing at least one sweater and your fleece lined slippers.
3-Learn to bake. Nothing warms the house and your insides like freshly baked bread.
4-If you’re feeling discouraged search the internet for stories on kudzu, killer bees and alligator attacks. You’ll likely feel a little less disgruntled about living in a place too cold for any of those things to take hold. You’ll also experience the warm, prideful glow that comes from realizing you are more tenacious than kudzu, killer bees and alligators.
5-Point heat works. Learn to love a hot water bottle. If you place one in your lap it’s like having a cat, without the disdain.
6-Always buy vehicles with black interiors. On sunny days back your wheels out of the barn and into the driveway in the morning. By lunchtime the inside will feel like a greenhouse. You can have a mid-day meal or a cup of cofffee in your shirtsleeves, even in February.
7-If all else fails check the weather reports for Helsinki, Finland or, better yet, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia before reading your own forecast each morning. If that doesn’t cheer you right up you’d best become a snow bird.
Readers, do you have any seasonal survival tips? Writers, do you have a favorite season to write about?
Kait Carson
Charlene D’Avanzo 
Polar fleece is good even in the house!
I couldn’t agree more, Gram! I have a collection of fleece jackets at the ready.
Cashmere socks! Worth every precious penny. –kate
I love this suggestion! As an avid knitter I am always looking for good excuses to purchase luxury yarns!
This is a great post! I particularly enjoyed #5, water bottle = cat without disdain. Priceless.
Hot water bottles never need litter boxes scooped either!
I would add fire ants to number 4. Nothing is worse than walking through the yard and then realizing you have just stepped on a fire ant mound. Ugh!! (and ouch)
I never would have thought of fire ants! Although, in the depths of winter their name has a nice ring to it!
Years ago the tube fell off my outdoor thermometer. I’ve never replaced it and don’t plan to. It no longer tells me how hot or cold it is…and you know what, it’s great! I don’t know how hot or cold I’m supposed to feel, so I usually feel fine. If my nose hairs freeze…it’s cold!!