Now I understand why the old people flock to warmer climates...

15 years ago

November 28, I flew into Illinois for two weeks for a booksigning.

The moment I stepped off the plane in O'Hare (Chicago), that first blast of cold air hit me and took away my breath. It was 24 degrees and the wind was blowing a gale. For those first book signings (in Chicago), I was parked in front of the bookstore's large double doors and every time a patron entered the store, I nearly froze to death all over again.

In Champaign, it was FOUR degrees.

In St. Louis area, it was 14-20 degrees. (It warmed up during the day.)

For all of the book signings, I was always placed right in front of the main entry and I've never been so cold in my life. It was like being told to sit in a walk-in freezer for two hours.

When I came back home to Norfolk, temps went down to 20 degrees. The daytime highs have been running in the low to mid-30s.

I don't know how you Northerners and Midwesterners deal with this cold for weeks on end. Heck, I *was* a Midwesterner and I got so tired of the cold and snow I moved away - back to where I thought it'd be nice and warm!

How do people tolerate this cold, and being house-bound during the long, dark cold winters? It's only DECEMBER and I'm ready for the spring!

And I used to LIKE winter!!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (18)

Hellion
15 years ago
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. :)
User
15 years ago
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!
Related Discussions
Why don't more people grow vegetables?
Q
Comments (82)
keepitlow, at first I thought the thing about keeping shoes in your fridge was a joke taken out of context or something like that, but there was a link to the full article and... oh my gosh! You know, when I was in college and lived in a 300 square foot apartment I STILL tried to cook in my tiny kitchen. I had lived in the dorm the year before and was so sick of other people cooking for me and not having that control over my own food. I can't imagine just unplugging your fridge and eating take out all the time. I mean, yes, I do get take out sometimes, and go to restaurants, but if I lived on it... it's so fattening and so expensive! *** macky77, "'My soil won't grow anything and I can't afford or don't have time to build raised beds and buy all the special ingredients you NEED to make super soil.' The most common situations they cite are either living in rental properties with neglected yards or new developments where the topsoil was not replaced after construction." Well, as other people have said, yes, new developments can have awful soil. Bermudagrass sod doesn't take much. I live in a rental house with a neglected yard (at least until I got here). Actually it's kind of interesting to see what's hanging on in a yard where nature has been allowed to take over. I used to have scarlet sage growing in the front (hummingbirds LOVE that stuff) until the Lawn Police ordered us to mow it down, and in the back I have pigeonberry, black-eyed susan, wild sunflowers, and rain lillies growing, along with some other wildflowers I have yet to identify. I betcha the land is actually better off for it rather than being maintained as a Bermudagrass monoculture soaked in herbicides. But anyway, back to having good soil, this goes back to my idea that maybe people think growing veggies is harder than it really is. I live in south-central Texas. The soil here is clay with limestone rocks, and I'm growing stuff right in it. Didn't build any raised beds (don't want to build any permanent structures at a rental house). Potatoes didn't seem to like it, but tomatoes, beans, peppers, squash, etc. don't seem to mind one bit. Digging in it is a big of hard work, but it's better than gonig to the gym. I wonder if the garden media has anything to do with this. You know, TV shows with perfect looking gardens, soil you can dig with your bare hands, etc. I wonder if people actually think that veggies NEED perfect soil to grow. Sure they might grow better in perfect soil, but they can make do with what they've got. You don't have to be Martha Stewart. I see gardening as a partnership between me, the plants, and Nature. That means that I don't have to do ALL the work. Lots of plants grow just fine with no human help at all. Veggie plants have evolved alongside us for a while and now need some help, but I still feel like I'm letting them and Nature do most of the work. When people say they can't grow plants here because it's too hot or dry or we have bad soil or something, I always think of the Hopi and related tribes that lived off their gardens with no modern technology in the DESERT. I don't live in the desert, and I do have modern technology, and I do have the farmer's market and grocery store as a backup, so I think I have it EASY. Actually, it reminds me of something from Buffalo Bird Woman's Garden where she talks about how white people don't know how to plant things right. I forgot specifically what it was she was talking about, but I only wonder what she'd think if she saw our gardens today.
...See More
Question for those in warmer climates
Q
Comments (24)
So...Bart hibernated for a little snooze!!!! Thanks! for the pics!! I yr around 1949 we lived at lake in So. Dak. dad opened front door, wow what a shock it was solid hard pack snow, he went to all the windows & no sky to be seen. He went up through the attic & out the window with a shovel, I wanted to go & see if he was OK, seemed like hours, finally there was knock on door & it was a tunnel. Amazing I don't know how many hrs he had shoveled but he wouldn't quit until he knew he could get his family out. That was worst I'd seen. Humans are a resilient bunch!! We seem to make do with whatever we have to!! Thanks for pics Kirk! I guess I better get ready to get out of here, fire is close! Jan
...See More
I knew you guys would understand!
Q
Comments (19)
mogardener Sounds like what I hope to do. Our Winters are not as cold so at this time I plan to us chainlink fence on 2 sides and a privacy fence on the North side and coop (a shed we are converting to a coop) on 4th side and a roof to keep the run dry since they will not free range in my garden or the neighborhood. I plan to have a roost in the coop and in the run because I think they will sleep in the run during our Summers which can be very hot at night. I'm hoping they can process weeds for me so I don't have weeds sprouting the next year. I plan to have a smaller tractor...we do not have a lawn...if we can't eat it or it doesn't produce flowers fir butterflies/hummingbirds..it is out of here! LOL I plan to use the chicken tractor on veggie beds after they finish for the year...put amendments on the bed and let them work it in for me while they fertilize, too. Feedstore called this morning early so DH drove the 40+ miles to pick up the rest of our chicks. At this time we have six 3 1/2 week old Red/Gold Sex Links (lg brown eggs/high production), five 1 week old Buff Orpington (lg light brown eggs/medium production,good brood hens in case I want to expand), and eleven DH brought in today...five 1 day old Silver Lace Wyandottes (lg brown eggs/high production and good brood hens), three 1 day old Barred Rocks (lg light brown eggs/high production) and for fun...green eggs n ham ;) three 1 day old Easter Eggers (one chipmunk and two yellow) (med. size colored eggs/med. production). I think I will have a colorful flock and hopefully eggs to sell to cover feed costs. Saw on Food Network a chef talking about eggs he served...said they came from the farm next door...that they fed them beet greens so the eggs were high in Omega 3...figure I might be able to do that...had beets growing all this past Winter and fed them to my Mini Lop. Peggy
...See More
The Canadian asks: Are we a 'warmer climate?'
Q
Comments (14)
I really dont like it when someone uses a gardening forum to bash people they disagree with politically. I also tire of trying to inform people about the farce global warming but I will never give up (LOL). I put this together for another gardenweb thread when someone crying about how global warming was going to doom our children and how we need to follow the advise of the experts at the UN. Here goes... In order to put public policy actions in place to combat global warming which could have negative effects on economic progress, the following should be true. 1. global warming is occurring (probably true). This is not all that unexpected since we may still be coming out of the little ice age which we know occurred at least from 1600-1850. Also warming is much smaller when measuring from satellite rather than from ground based measuring devices that are affected by urban heat islands. 2. the majority of the warming is due to man-made greenhouse gas emissions and not natural (questionable). Correlation between rising temperatures and CO2 is problematic. Ice core data appears to show that CO2 increases follow or lag higher temperatures and is therefore an effect and not a cause. Additional, the percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere is small (0.03 percent). Mans contribution to CO2 is a small percentage of CO2 (5%). CO2 contribution to global warming is small (4%). Much of the increase in CO2 due to man entered carbon sinks and is not still in the atmosphere (50%). 3. unnatural levels of global warming will occur during the next century (questionable) IPCC predictions have ranged from a 1.5C to 5.8C increase by year 2100 over the last ten years (needless to say the best answer may be they dont know) Computer models so far have done a poor job at predicting recent and past results. There is still a poor understanding of the global carbon cycle which makes any climate change due to CO2 unpredictable 4. The consequences of this warming will be disastrous (unlikely) Typically only negative aspects of warming is noted, positive consequences should be noted as well *Nighttime lows may be higher in temperate regions extending farming regions north *Increased CO2 encourages plant growth *Some desert regions (the Sahara in particular) may see increased rainfall based on historical data In addition, if changes to the climate take place it will be over long periods of time allowing for the adaptation and migration 5. we have enough knowledge to put in place world-wide policy action that can reverse the warming (unlikely) Also, any solution must be effective and be better than alternative actions (or inaction) and not produce unacceptable new problems. The thought of political leaders from around the world sitting around a conference table debating the best policy to put in place (and enforce) in order to keep 2100 global temperatures at a +0C increase instead of +2.5C is laughable. Fossil fuels are the life blood of the human economic engine that has improved the life of nearly every person on the planet. The level of proof for those wishing to change or effect the way we live is very high. The proof so far is quite lacking in my opinion. In addition, the proposed methods to combat this theoretical problem have been either impossible to implement or likely ineffective. Let the flame throwing begin. :) BTW. The 2003 map was very similiar to maps from the 1960's. Zones were lowered during the 70s and 80s when the earth went through 'global cooling'. Kind of blows that GW theory a little...
...See More
susan_on
15 years ago
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.
lynn_d
15 years ago
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!).
Marcia Thornley
15 years ago
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.
Marilyn Sue
15 years ago
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
bigfoot_liz
15 years ago
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
linda_in_iowa
15 years ago
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.
iowagirl2006
15 years ago
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!
joan_mn
15 years ago
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!
mamatoad
15 years ago
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.
User
15 years ago
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.
lynn_d
15 years ago
You need to come to my part of the state, Lily316!! I have a foot of the white stuff!
hgl_gaylemarie
15 years ago
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.
chisue
15 years ago
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!)
Rudebekia
15 years ago
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.
joyfulguy
15 years ago
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
rosemaryt
Original Author
15 years ago
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."

:)

Now I understand why the old people flock to warmer climates...

Comments (18)

Hellion

User

Related Discussions

susan_on

lynn_d

Marcia Thornley

Marilyn Sue

bigfoot_liz

linda_in_iowa

iowagirl2006

joan_mn

mamatoad

User

lynn_d

hgl_gaylemarie

chisue

Rudebekia

joyfulguy

rosemaryt
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Now I understand why the old people flock to warmer climates...

Comments (18)

Related Discussions

rosemarytOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

rosemaryt
Original Author