Reflections on the first day of 2011

It was very hard to get out bed yesterday. Nothing really profound or troubling, my apartment was just chilly. It might sound strange, but I usually have my thermostat set at 60. My apartment has a southern exposure and the low winter sun shines in most of the day. On occasion the temperature would climb to 80 during the day. I really don't like hot so I usually open the deck door to cool things off. When I get up during the winter, it is usually no cooler than 69 degrees. Yesterday, New Year’s Day 2011, the temperature was 62. Taking that fact into consideration, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what the temperature was outside. And I would need to go outside.

I did log in to the Weather Channel. I don’t remember exactly, think it was 3 degrees. Once it goes below 10 degrees, it doesn’t really matter, you dress the same for outdoors. It is important to dress in layers. Each layer supposedly will trap warm air to insulate you from the cold. A warm hat is also essential gear. In the winter if you are hatless; your body heat escapes much like smoke from a chimney.

It is also important to protect your face in some way. A scarf will do, but I prefer a coat with that protection built in that zips up and covers your lower face. If it is really cold I have a sweater under that which does the same thing. My coat is also down filled, which sucked big time in the rain Thursday. It soaked it in like a sponge. But, it is great when it is just cold. This year I have also included ice spikes to my winter essentials. A co-worker had recommended them. They were the same used by ice fishermen. After I turned 50, I suddenly began to fear falling in the winter. A little voice kept whispering, "You could fall down on the ice and break a hip!"

It was late afternoon when I finally ventured out. I would have rather stayed inside, but the freezing rain from Friday night left me concerned again about the locks on my Honda CRV.

Now don't get me wrong, I love this vehicle. It is the best winter vehicle I have ever owned. The only problem I have had is that the locks freeze when we have rain followed by freezing temperatures.

But hey! It is not supposed to rain in December! It's just not right! It rained on Thursday and when I went out on Friday the locks were frozen. It almost made me late for work. It was rather comical actually. The first door I was able to open was the back door on the driver’s side. I have a remote starter so I let it warm up as I cleared the ice off. Even after spraying de-icer in the locks, they still would not open. So, I had to crawl over the seat to get into the front, not an easy task at the age of 55. I am not as limber or spry as I once was. By the time I got to work the locks unfroze.

But I digress, back to January 1st. The puddles of slush from two days before were frozen solid. However, my ice spikes worked great; no slipping and sliding for me! But, the locks were once again frozen. This time the first door to open was the front passenger side door. It was much easier than Friday, I only had to slide across. Once in the vehicle, I decided to drive around until it opened. It only took about an additional ten minutes.

By this time it was near sunset and it looked like it might be a nice one. I found an open spot and took the shot below. What a beautiful end to the first day in 2011!



I suppose at this point I should think of something profound to write. But, I am not sure I can do that. New Year's Day was like any other day for me. I don't make resolutions, I never have. Every day takes resolve to get through it. Everyday I do the best I can under whatever circumstances I am faced with. Some days are better than others and I do well. Some days I suck. There are always problems to deal with such as frozen locks and bitter cold.

But, there can be rewards too. If I had not gone outside and braved the cold, I would have missed a great sunset. I guess there is something mildly profound in that. At least there is to me.