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October 25, 2005
Winter
Lots of people worry about the Upstate weather: "What's it like in the winter?" "I couldn't stand that winter!" Etc. All of it focused on external conditions.
Well, yeah. Sure. It's an issue. Having had a nasty wreck on icy roads last winter, I can't deny it. Mostly it can be managed, though. Yes, I have an hour's commute to work on good roads, much longer on bad. But if I'm lucky, a lot of bad-weather days can be negotiated from home. That's what I'm doing today: with 7" of wet, heavy snow predicted for elevations of 1000 feet or more south of the Thruway, I'm teaching from home, with many thanks to Blackboard, IM, and email.
But the real issue isn't outside; it's inside. Inside the house, and inside my respiratory system. This morning I had to get out the Clorox, the vinegar, the Barkeeper's Friend, plastic gloves, rags, and a scouring pad, and I had to get that little humidifier sparkling clean, because if I didn't get it working and pronto, my sinuses would simply collapse.
Dryness. Pain. Postnasal drip. Pain. Hacking, dry cough. Headache. Nosebleeds. Oh lordie pie, it's winter again. Time for the humidifier, Vaseline, hand lotion, sparing use of Sudafed (the stuff runs your blood pressure up, and it's addictive, and if you take it too often, it doesn't work at all), Kleenex, nasal moisturing spray. And every year it's worse, because every year the body is a little dryer. Eyeuch.
Hey, nuttin's free. You got to suffer a little if you're going to have four seasons, beautiful snow, and lots of backcountry skiing and snowshoeing right from your own back door. There are prices. Like breathing.
Posted by senioritis at October 25, 2005 10:35 AM
Comments
I realized yesterday--deep and meaningful thought ahead--that in October in Illinois you need the air conditioning and the heat in the same month. 90 degrees in the first few days of the month, 30 at night the last few nights. Sheesh.
Posted by: aerobil at October 25, 2005 11:02 AM