Winter and my discontent

[Saturday afternoon at the Payson Park Reservoir; 12/15/07]

We had wind chills in the single digits today and yesterday, and snow and rain are predicted for tomorrow afternoon and evening, with more snow on Thursday. Getting from the apartment to the car, and from the car into work, and the reverse, require staking out patches of non-slick surface or, failing that, gingerly testing out paths of hardened lumpy ice for grip. One scary spill a week ago was plenty enough for me. The windshield washer fluid was frozen and unusable this morning; tonight for the drive home its spray instantly blossomed into blinding snow crystals across the glass. Spray, wipe, drive, ice over, spray, wipe, drive, ice over. We got our second heating bill today for well over $400 for the second month in a row. I'm glad at least K and I are splitting these bills.

There is some joy in it of course. I discovered when I went for a walk on Saturday afternoon that the neighborhood kids use the reservoir hillside for sledding.

[Payson Park Reservoir; 12/15/07]

The streets and some sidewalks were passable at least on Saturday. Since they aren't now, walks are out of the question, either for my lunchtime break or evening after work. But I did set my bicycle up on a trainer last night upstairs, which means both exercise and catching up on my accumulating piles of New Yorkers. Last night I read the fascinating The Checklist, from earlier in the month, which tells how hospitals could save a ton of money, not to mention countless lives, and why they don't. And a funny piece by David Sedaris in the same issue. I would have read more -- and cycled longer -- but my butt has not yet re-accustomed itself to the bike seat. I did feel a lot better from the exercise, though.

Just a few days left before I fly out to see my dad for a few days for Christmas. He sounds anxious for the company, and a bit worried about keeping me entertained, my mom having always been the talker. It'll be fine. We have tickets to a play on Saturday afternoon, and I'm sure there will be movies around to see. I'll bring my knitting and a book, and I can use my dad's laptop. I'll be flying out from Boston just a few hours after the Winter Solstice. It's all up from there.

Comments

[zhoen]

A dark cold place this time of year.

Honestly, I miss it.

[marja-leena]

Oh, so beautiful - even it is a bit hard to get around in. Enjoy it, and have a good trip on Friday!

[Joe]

I've been considering a subscription to the New Yorker and I'll likely do it after the new year. Ever since I read Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik I've taken an interest in the magazine and have even printed a few articles off their web-site (including the Sedaris piece which was very funny!).

I'm looking forward to taking my Nephew sliding in a few years, there are plenty of good hills around that I know will do the trick.

[Tall Girl]

hope it's a gentle Christmas for you and your Dad.

[leslee]

Zhoen: You're nuts! :-)

Marja-Leena: Thanks. Actually I'm flying out early Saturday morning.

Joe: It's really amazing how much good reading there is in the NY - it's a problem, though, to keep up with!

TG: Thank you!

[Joe]

That's why I haven't subscribed yet. Well that and because it's pretty expensive. They did send me an offer for a reduced price but I wasn't interested then.

It would be the only weekly magazine I get as now I subscribe only to Harpers, National Geographic and Paste. I gave up on Time last year when they redesigned it and called "everyone" their person of the year.

[Sara]

I love taking photographs at this time of year. The sky colors, just as you've shown them here, are so delicious.

Hey, have you heard of YakTrax? I have two alternatives I'm not in love with and hear nothing but good things about these, so they're next on my list of things to try so I don't have to carry a *&^% cane. A fellow student at the DeCordova was especially happy with hers, and I've seen them on the feet of elderly and middle-aged neighbors alike at the post office, where (unlike my alternatives) they don't seem to be ripping up the floors when the wearers go inside.

[Lorianne]

YakTrax are AWESOME. I have a pair I keep in my car; if you remember our snowy walk at Walden last year, I was wearing them on my boots. I haven't used them on the snow & ice this year yet...but I should dig them out again. For $20, they're well worth saving your butt. And they're easy to put on/take off, so it's not like you'd have to stomp around the office with them on.

[Leslee]

Joe: Search around for discount rates - sometimes you can get ones for college students. (not that they necessarily check)

Sara & Lorianne: YakTrax! I read Sara's comment first and I thought, someone I know has YakTrax... oh, Lorianne! Fabulous idea. I am going to acquire a pair pronto.

My wristies just arrived, too. Started by a 10-year-old girl in Lowell (she's now graduated from college). I may have to blog it at some point...

[Joe]

Good tip, I'll check around. Part of me thinks if I visit their site enough they'll pick up my interest and send me another offer, if only.
:-)

[Sara]

All right, ladies. You convinced me. I ordered a pair of YakTrax yesterday ($30 plus shipping, not $20, but still, as Lorianne said, well worth it if they work).

Cheers!

[Leslee]

Good luck, Joe.

Sara: I think there are different version and "levels" of YakTrax, cuz mine were less. Haven't received them yet, though, so I'll have to check them out after I return.