Shocking Weather
Shocking Weather
We southerners can handle a little cold weather, but this is ridiculous. Life can get rather challenging when experiencing sub-normal temperatures for this many days in a row. I’ll bet even relocated northerners are wishing for milder temps.
I have learned a few valuable lessons for dealing with this weather. Feel free to add your own advice.
I have learned that it is not a good idea to leave a water bottle in the car in this weather.
My stash of Deer Park water has frozen under the seat of my car.
There is the issue of ‘warming up’ the car. I am no primadonna, but apparently, my transmission is. I don’t really care if the car is a little cold, but I have noticed that my car performs way better if it has had a five minute warm-up in this chill.
As far as cars go, I won’t bore you with the details, but radiators will let you down in this weather. And check your tires. Improperly inflated tires will split if you hit a sharp object in the cold.
My least favorite thing about cold weather is the shock factor. It seems that I am a walking stun gun. I have to really be careful to transfer the current before touching the cat or my kids. They don’t take well to being zapped.
I have found that keeping one hand on the metal door jamb of the car as I slide across the seat releases the electric charge into the metal. The same thing works inside when taking off your coat/fleece/sweater. Use a doorway to release the charge. If you can keep one hand on the doorway while you pull your arm out of the sleeve, it prevents most zaps.
I still have to be careful of getting up out of my computer chair and going straight to the microwave. If I don’t remember to hold on to the door frame while I stand up, I get sparks coming from my fingertips when I touch the microwave to grab my reheated coffee.
Listening to my cd player while folding warm laundry is really not a good idea. Being shocked by earbuds is a traumatic experience.
Also, always touch your honey before you lean in for a kiss. Shocked lips are a real turnoff for both of you.
Stay warm!
As many of you know, I love this time of year and have enjoyed seeing the sparkly frost on my windshield, wearing scarves and mittens, and most importantly, observing the beauty of the fountain at First Presbyterian Church on Home Avenue…photos coming soon!