In the quest to stay sane while doing nothing the internet has proved itself an invaluable and unquenchable time sponge. Thank you Al Gore, thank you.
Makes me wonder, how did youngsters survive the 150+ days of darkness that is a WNY winter without it? Building indoor forts. The Guiding Light. Clue, Monopoly and Masterpiece. 500 piece puzzles. Cookie dough. Time consuming attempts to play D & D. And after Thanksgiving....
There was some outdoor time, voluntary or otherwise. No doubt it took a motivated parent to spend part of a day squeezing Pop Tart and Honeycomb fueled kids into more layers than a tray of baklava. The complex layer ordering is under appreciated science, involving two or more pairs of socks preferably including something wool and itchy and something with an exposed red stripe, plastic bread bags (Stroehmann's Sunbeam or Wonder) on each foot. This was key - it was semi-water proof, but was also the grease that enabled oversized foot into boot with something less than a hernia and crying jag inducing 10 min pilates work out for parent and child.
Up from the feet: long johns, jeans/cords, a polyester turtle neck and/or button down oxford shirt, full body snow (snowmobile?) suits or the two-piece option of a coverall style ski pant and jacket, hat(s), mittens, scarf (or 2)... Did I miss a layer? And, later, another 45 mins chipping through the ice encased zippers and shoe laces and stripping the wet clothes when the monsters were allowed back in at sunset.
Back to the internet. A few items I've read recently and partially remember more than 24 hrs later. First, an obligatory fitness item, breaking news: Exercise is good, running spurs nerve growth. Related study ongoing - sloth leads to vacuous blogging.
Extroverts, I think we've got you out numbered. Treat us nicely. Don't make me say it out loud. This is the 2nd time I've stumbled into something from The Atlantic. The first was that Obama piece by Andrew Sullivan, which sticks with me, so here it is again.
Finally, some knee-slapping, choke-on-your-(iced)-coffee funny stuff, at least for cycling geeks. NYC cyclist poking fun at cyclists re reactions to the arrival of autumn weather, and on the snow theme, how to continue not having fun biking when the white stuff hits. It's a small but stubborn niche and this daily blog is king of that little realm.
3 comments:
what a memory...and where did you get the picture???
I'd forgotten the bread bags part! How did all the cousins fit on the toboggan, too, with all those layers?
You certainly remember all the good times. How did we ever survive such cold!!
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