We don't move down here cause we are old, it is cause we are smart. We golf and do lots of other activities all year long. Bocci ball, tennis, lawn bowling, volleyball, pickle ball, the list goes on. It is all in our communities to enjoy whenever. Oh, and the pool is open all year long. :)

uhhhh, did you ask to be moved away from the book store doors????? You were supposed to be the 'guest of honor'.

House bound! Not a chance. There is nothing more invigorating and refreshing than taking a brisk walk on a cold day, being bundled up. Under the layers, the body is warm! There is nothing more beautiful than nature, right after that snowfall, before footprints and tire tracks! That is the stuff that an appreciation of a higher power comes from!

Between 8pm and about 15 minutes ago, I've been out 3 times to shovel the snow. It was great!

I am resigned to it, but I sure wish we had nicer weather here. I suppose I could move to B.C. My brother lives in Victoria, and the weather is much nicer there. But my mother grew up in North Carolina, and I sure wish I had been born and raised there too.

It takes plenty of fortitude to live in the cold climate! I don't love the cold but I do love the snow....to have one I have to tolerate the other! And I really hate the humidity of Florida, as well as the cost of living!

How did the signings go? I hope lots of folks were there! Foolish merchandising, don't they know they should draw the people to the back of the store (where you would be warm!).

Well if you're not used to it I guess it can be hard to take, but Housebound? Not I. That's what winter coats and boots are for! We just bundle up and go about our business as usual. Last night was lovely. Cold and crisp. A great evening for a walk.

I love winter, snow and the cold. So I an happy here in Indiana. I have plenty of things to do in the house without feeling like I need to be going out all the time. I am more of a stay at home person than always going. Although sometimes you wouldn't think that. We have a very warm not drafty home. I don't think you could pay me enough money to move south. Hope you get thawed out :)

Sue

it is a completely different story to be retired and living up north or SAH. having to be at work at let's say 7am, clean snow off the stairs if the snow removal crew hasn't been by yet, clean off the car if you don't have a garage, drive thru snow or ice covered roads and make it there on time is VERY difficult. not to mention get out of work, spend 1/2 hour cleaning off your car to again drive thru snow & ice is very time consuming and wearing down. when i lived in chicago i was lucky i had snow removal crews sent by my dad and a 60 degree heated garage. plus part of the time i worked downtown and took the train so i didn't have to drive everywhere. back then cities had tons of $$ and kept streets completely cleared and salted and crews jumped at the chance to get tons of OT doing snow removal. now i've heard plenty of stories of streets not getting plowed till after 8-9am.

that was the main reason i moved to orlando LOL. living here is more expensive but the living is far easier ;-))) it would take a very significant amount of money to get me to move any farther north lol ~ liz

Midwesterners are known for their longevity. SD is first, followed by Iowa.
Housebound? Not me. Winter is basketball season and I live in a college town with excellent teams. I volunteer at the hospital and my church. I deliver Meals on Wheels to the home-bound.
When I go out, I dress warmly. Our air is clean and our cost-of-living low. We have very little crime. I have never had a desire to live in the South.

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF WINTER

LOL!

We have a lot of livestock and have to do chores twice a day - every day.

When a big snow storm hits - it is an all day - all family affair. It takes everyone to get just the bare minimum done.

If you think scooping walks is bad - try scooping endless fenceline bunks and taking an axe to chop the ice out of water tanks and creeks so the cows can drink...but...this is the life we chose. It also has great benefits...ask me in June... LOL!

Good thing you weren't there when it was COLD! :>)
The minus zero stuff is what gets me. Lots of northerners don't even put coats on until it's well below freezing.

We didn't start being snowbirds cause we're old, we couldn't afford it when we were young, maintaining two homes isn't cheap!

I've lived in Arizona for over forty years and when the temperature soars up to 120 in the summertime, I have fleeting thoughts of moving to a cold climate. But I just go inside and let the air conditioner drive those thoughts away! It's not just old people who flock to warmer climates! Some of us have raised our families here.

I have lived in PA my whole life and would never ever think of moving south. I love the cold weather and do my same two/three mile walk every day all year round. Only days I miss is when it's icy. I pile on the down coat and scarf and I'm comfortable. Ask me in August how much fun those walks are when it 99 w/ a high humidity . I hate summer and would never live in the south. I'd even like to move further north..I'm not happy we have had no snow yet.

You need to come to my part of the state, Lily316!! I have a foot of the white stuff!

Oh I feel for you by the Door. My Former Roommate was a Harpest who sign her CD's on Tour and they always put her near the door.

My neighbor just called from Memphis. When she left Austin it was in the 80's, she got to Memphis and there is snow on the ground. She said she is frozen.

Deep frosty winters kill germs and build character. We've built up a LOT of character here near Lake Michigan over the last three winters, with 50" snowfalls. I don't mind the cold -- since I don't have to be out in it -- but I do mind less cold *grey sky* days.

The other three seasons are *beautiful*, and we escape to Maui for a few weeks to break the winter.

I wouldn't feel at home in The South, Florida, Arizona or California.

So...how did the book tour go? Worth the effort? Stay in any nice hotels? Enjoy Room Service? Any good restaurant meals? (Bet you are glad to be home and cook what you like!)

I've lived in the Upper Midwest all my life. I love winter and don't mind the cold at all. In fact, I hate to admit it but it is 15 degrees outside right now and I have several windows open just to get some nice crisp and fresh air inside! So the cold doesn't bother me a bit--just add more layers and crank the heat--but what I despise is the ice. Last year was terrible--very scary walking and driving for many weeks. I hope upon hope we don't get the same ice this year. That's the only thing that keeps me somewhat housebound.

Hi Rosemary T,

Next time you head north in near-winter, and they park you near the front doors ...

... ask 'em for a snowmobile suit.

Maybe even with helmet and plexiglass visor?

When one runs around lightly clad in late fall ...

... one feels the cold less in February ...

... or, that's what they tell us: you know how people's bodies become acclimatized.

For example, after one's first two-mile walk, one is pretty well tuckered out.

But, after doing it daily for a couple of months - no problem.

ole joyful

Thanks for the many replies. Interesting how folks seem to love what they're accustomed to. :)

As to the book signing, I'm mighty glad it's over and I'm mighty glad to be home. In the last few years, I've spent a lot of time traveling (for work) and last week I was thinking, for the first time in a looooong time, I don't have any business trips on my calendar and that makes me very happy.

As Dorothy said, "There's no place like home."

:)