The Midwest is in the midst of the shiveriest cold spell we’ve seen in good long while. Our lows have been below zero every night for a week, with highs in the single digits during the heat of the day, and the pattern is supposed to continue through the weekend.
In weather is this frigid, I usually walk indoors. But when cabin fever sets in, I bundle up and brave the cold. During yesterday’s frigid outing, I tried to think of as many positive things about walking below zero as possible. Here’s what I came up with before my toes went numb:
- The the snow isn’t slippery when it’s around zero, so there’s less chance of falling.
- The cold kills germs so the flu season should be shorter.
- There’s less traffic on the road since the sensible people don’t drive when it’s like this.
- Snowfall chances diminish as the temperature plummets.
- Observing the world through frosty eyelashes creates an unusual effect.
- The purchase of a down-filled coat feels like money well spent.
- Extra clothing weight burns more calories.
- Empathy for Canadians grows and could conceivably lead to better trade relations with our neighbors to the north.
- Jack London novels make sense.
- The population of bunnies, ground squirrels, mice, and other troublesome varmints must be taking a hit.
Can you believe I came up with ten positives so quickly? If you have more to add to the list, leave a comment so our gratitude for this cold snap is as great as it should be.
Hey, I already thought of one more: when we finally get back to double digit highs, spring will be much, much closer.
Now that’s a happy thought!
