OK, so it’s January, and it’s cold and there’s snow on the ground. Rhode Islanders just can’t seem to stop complaining about this, as if somehow it’s something that shouldn’t be happening.
Many of my readers know that I spent most of my life in Canada, where you had to get on with your life even if it was wintery. We walked to school, we drove our cars, and we didn’t all escape to Florida. How did we ever survive?
First, we dressed for the weather. If you’re wearing your Nikes on a 10 degree day, your feet are going to be cold. Wear gloves, and a hat if you’re going to be outside for a while. And while you’re at it, ditch the flimsy Patriots hoodie and put on something that’s actually lined and cozy. Don’t you feel better now?
Here’s another tip: your instinct tells you to hunker down indoors, when in fact, you should be doing just the opposite. Get outside for at least half an hour every day. Breathe fresh air and turn your face to the sun. Go for a walk. It works.
I went for a wonderful hike in the woods yesterday. The sky was intensely blue and the snow was dry and light. We were out for about two hours, and we had a terrific time. Learn to skate. Ski. Hike. Walk the dog. Dress appropriately for the activity. Make sure you have windshield washer fluid in your car that’s good to at least -25, or you’ll be sorry. And please stop whining.
Digging RI 
How about a little Southern whine? I’d gladly trade some of your cold for our way too warm January. Deal?
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No thanks, CJ. I am definitely not a warm weather person!
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Yes, we do get on with our lives up in Canada. We don’t have much of a choice. We also complain about the winter, but that’s mostly because it’s so darn long here. Dressing warm is an absolute must if you are to endure those cold days. It shows that you spent most of your life in Canada because your advice is bang on.
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And how about the windshield washer? The morons who service my car must have filled my reservoir with water or something, because as soon as I got on the highway, the entire system froze solid, including the tubing, and I couldn’t see a thing through my dirty windshield. A safety hazard, no?????
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I was born and raised in RI, and I love the wintry, snowy weather especially since we managed to miss out on it last year! Just think of the snow as extra moisture for that summer garden and a cover for the (ugly) yard at this time of year.
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You are the exception rather than the rule, HD. All I’ve been hearing this week in complaints about the COLD…and it isn’t even below zero!
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Having done hard cold time in Cleveland in the 1970s, I’m with you: Dress right, stop whining. But why did you have to go and remind me of how the Patriots ended their season? Now that’s something to whine about..
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Sorry, Lee. I guess I should show some sensitivity to mourning Pats fans.
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