It's been quite cold here this week. Even though it's supposed to warm up again soon, we have been having a cold snap worthy of a Lake Wobegon mention. All year, we've had strange and unpredictable weather. Minnesota just doesn't know what month it is.
We have radiator heat in our apartment. Even though it dries out the air, I like the radiator better than the forced air I grew up with; the heat is warmer and less drafty. Lucy, our cat, spends most of her days lolling on top of the radiator covers. She didn't have this luxury in our last apartment, as our radiators were uncovered and thus uncomfortably warm. This apartment had families before we moved in, so all our radiators are covered.
For some of my students, this is the first time they've seen snow. We have had a few dustings. Several are complaining of the cold already. Seasoned veterans keep reminding them: it's going to get a lot colder.
For my part, I'm ready. I have put away my summer clothes, and I pulled the hats and gloves out of storage. My ski jacket is hanging up in the hall. All I need to bring on winter is some measurable snow so I have a reason to pull out snow boots for some wonderful winter walks. In the meantime, I'm hunkering down with warm blankets and some hot chocolate.