The Upside of Cold (surely there is one)
Ten below again this morning. I am trying to pep myself up here, so I've been coming up with a list of benefits of this weather. It's a very short list, so I hope you add to it for me. Keep my spirits up until the weekend thaw--or until spring.
1. Intense cold for long periods of times kills lots of insects, including invasive species, so we should have a more pleasant summer. (Except it has no effect on our state bird, the mosquito.)
2. The dog walks are stress free because there are no other dogs, people, bicyclists or roller bladers around.
3. I need a hat, which means nobody has to see my uncombed rat's nest on the morning walk.
4. Frozen dog poop is very easy to pick up and odor free.
5. It's very pretty. The frosty trees, the shadows on the snow, the bright blue sky. OK, I've run out of positives. Your turn. Help a girl out.
29 comments:
It gives you an excuse to snuggle up on the couch, with a fire going and a big mug of hot chocolate (hot whiskey may also be an option).
You also don't have to do any work in the garden. Way too cold for that.
You also don't have to wash your windows, they'd only freeze straight after cleaning.
No need to worry about clothes - nobody looks elegant in three layers of jumpers, vests and coats.
I'm sure I could come up with a few more... hang in there, Spring is coming! Eventually...
Soup. You can make lots of soup.
The insect one is good -- trust me -- living in Georgia I often feel like waterbugs (cockroaches) are pets. Ugh.
On the photo, is that massive cloud of steam on the left Doug's breath?
As for positives, when it's cold out, Chester doesn't stay out in the yard long enough to, ahem, practice his coprophagia habit. (As soon as it hits about 20*, though, it's Chow Time.)
Also, ....
Nope, that's it. Bring on the thaw. I hope that today is winter's last big hurrah.
Knew before reading that frozen dog poop would be a positive! Another one, don't have to feel guilty about reading instead of doing yard work. Ah, I see Babaloo has already covered that. Two votes then.
I was already thinking of all da frozen bugs when I read da title to your post! Butt I am sooooo disappointed to read that it is not freezing da Evil Mosquito!!
Brrr, I'm probably not a good one to ask since I've been whining the past two weeks about our brief flirtation with the arctic cold you've had nearly all winter! I do like some things about the cold weather though. Mostly the sounds, and how they seem amplified by the frigid air. Like your feet crunching on snow, the loud flap of wings as a flock of geese fly low overhead, the crisp shattered voice of an icicle just dropped from the rain gutter, the weird muted sounds of an airplane engine fighting against the extreme temperature. And the silence. Buckets of silence. I love it.
I like the 'hat' comment!
Here, I love baking in the cold weather. It gives me an excuse to open the oven door and peak in a lot. The oven heat is NICE!
1. With large snowfalls in the evening, people stay home and leave the road to hospice nurses.
2. The benefits of owning an SUV have paid off this winter.
3. Isaac the Pitbull stays mostly indoors which means he is not at the fence barking like a mad dog.
4. I don't feel guilt when I sit for long periods to read or knit.
5. My heavy fleece robe purchase no longer seems frivolous.
Frozen dog-doo is indeed a benefit of this weather.
I like no bugs the best.
No weeds to pull!
debbie, yes, that picture is doug breathing normally in cold weather.
The snakes are in suspended animation..someplace I wish they would stay all year round:)
We say stay inside under all the covers.
Benny & Lily
I just spent the last hour catching up with your blog. Somehow, I'd read the pudding one but missed everything else since the end of January.
I hate google reader.
It was ten below here this morning. I can assure you I can think of nothing positive. My brain is frozen.
The snow white background always makes you the spot of color in someone's day.
Cold inhibits the growth of germs...that's why they keep operating rooms cold. I think you must live in one of the most germ-free outside environments in the country!
Unfortunately, all the germs move inside for the winter where the people are!
No twisters or tornados . . .yes, blizzards but they seldom move your house.
I read a book that spoke about our summer/winter temps and a person said it gets up in the 100s in the summer and as low as 50 below in the winter and what that does is keep the riff-raff out. (William Least Heat Moon's book I think) All from me!
Jo, Up North
The snow glistens and sparkles in the sun.
You can snowshoe!
My favorite of all - We really, really, appreciate spring when it finally arrives!
The deep cold has kept the roof from leaking. Friday when things warm up, water will be seeping into homes all over the region.
it encourages the little birds to spend more time close to the house and around the feeders where I can hear them.
Rosy cheeks.
No sweating.
Fun to wear warm socks and comfy slippers indoors.
Great reading weather (under a warm quilt, of course.)
Ten more:
1 Winter gives you the chance to buy lovely warm feminine clothes the previous autumn!
2 It's too cold for the in-laws to visit!
3 It's time to plan that marvellous summer holiday!
4 The winter constellations are better than the summer ones and the stars are brighter!
5 People in the other hemisphere stop complaining about their winter (and probably wish it wasn't so hot)!
6 Nice neighbours call in to make sure oldies like me are OK!
7 No BBQs!
8 There's nothing to beat snuggling under a warm electric blanket! [It's the best invention of the 20th Century; the electric guitar the worst! - I told you I was an oldie]
9 There's a better excuse for sending out Christmas cards than in the summer!
10 Laurie's winter blogs keep us smiling!
1. The frigid weather keeps the population down. Just think how big Minnesota's cities would be if we had more temperate weather. The beauty and quality of life we have would attract millions. )
2. In the winter we no longer have to carry our Schnauzers in, one by one, to wash their feet with the sprayer in the kitchen sink.
3. Pots of soup and hearty bread are perfect simple fare for long winters.
4. Some people get more reading done in the winter.
5. These long, dark, bitter winters have taught me how to be more sincerely thankful for small things - earlier light when the days grow longer, a working furnace, down comforters, hot water to stand under at the turn of a handle, etc.
I second the no insects thing too. :)
It gives you the unique ability to glory in the warmth of a 32 degree day?
I LOVE this post and all the comments!! I am just sitting here at my computer smiling and giggling - and this expansive list almost has me wishing cold weather (almost).
i love this list, too! hot soup, warm blankets...it makes winter sound so cozy.
we're supposed to have a warm spell for a while. they promised us above zero temps when we got up this morning, but it's three below right now. perhaps we got up too early.
I think everyone commenting before me has it all covered! I find winters more and more depressing as I get older. I love the look of snow in the trees etc but Spring is when I come alive again.
Winters mean no weeding - number one.
They are an excuse for lots of things. Eating piles of comfort food for one.
Not caring how you look, you just layer up.
Snuggling by a real fire. Going to bed with a good book.
Kills viruses.
You sometimes get snowed in which if you have supplies can be heaven.
It is soooo beautiful. I love snow I love winter trees. I love hoar frost. (Having said all that I can't stand very low temperatures!)
I love the signs of Spring which are here now.
More oxygen in the air, hence you are more alert while you freeze.
i need a "like" button for that last comment.
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