Well, look at that, it’s gettin’ cold out, colder than a well-digger’s butt in January! So, whatcha gonna do when the wind’s howlin’ and the snow’s pilin’ up? Lemme tell ya, I’ve seen a winter or two, and I know a thing or two about stayin’ warm and keepin’ busy.
First thing’s first, gotta keep yourself warm, right? Don’t wanna end up stiff as a board, now do ya? You gotta bundle up, like a little burrito. I’m talkin’ wool sweaters, the kind that itch a little but keep you toasty. Or that fuzzy stuff, what they call it… fleece? Yeah, that works too. And them long johns, thermal underwear, they call ’em. Wear them under your clothes, keeps the cold from bitin’ at your skin. Don’t be wearin’ just cotton, ’cause if it gets wet, you’re gonna be colder than a witch’s teat. At night, pile on them blankets, them duvets, whatever you got. Make your bed look like a big ol’ marshmallow. And don’t forget a coat, hat, and scarf when you go outside, gotta cover up every inch of skin you can.
- Wool sweaters keep you warm
- Fleece is a good choice too
- Wear thermal underwear under your clothes
- Pile on blankets and duvets at night
- Always wear a coat, hat, and scarf outside
Now, just ’cause it’s cold don’t mean you gotta sit around like a bump on a log. You gotta keep busy, or you’ll go stir-crazy. If it ain’t too cold, and the snow ain’t too deep, go on outside and get some fresh air. You can build a snowman, or make one of them snow angels, you know, where you lay down and flap your arms and legs. Kids love that, and heck, even us old folks can have a little fun with it.
If it’s too darn cold or you just want to stay inside, well, there’s plenty to do indoors too. You can read a book, a good one, mind you, not that fancy stuff that don’t make no sense. Or you can knit or crochet, make yourself a scarf or a hat. Keeps your hands busy and makes somethin’ useful too. If you got kids, or grandkids even, you can play some games. Board games, card games, anythin’ to pass the time and keep them little rascals entertained. Or, if you’re like me, you can do some puzzles. Jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, keeps the mind sharp, you know?
Don’t forget about eatin’ good when it’s cold. You need somethin’ warm in your belly to keep you goin’. Soup is good, chili is even better. A nice big pot of stew, that’ll stick to your ribs. And don’t forget the hot drinks! Hot chocolate for the young’uns, and a nice cup of tea or coffee for us old folks. If you really want to warm up, a little nip of somethin’ stronger might do the trick, but don’t go overboard now. And remember to eat your fruits and vegetables. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you can stop eating healthy. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, or so they say.
Staying warm in cold weather is about more than just clothes, though. It’s about keeping your house warm too. Make sure your windows are closed tight, and if you got any cracks, stuff ’em with rags or somethin’. And if you got a fireplace, use it! Nothin’ like a warm fire on a cold night. Just be careful, don’t want to burn the house down. And don’t forget to check on your neighbors, especially the old ones. Make sure they got enough food and heat. We gotta look out for each other, you know. It’s what good folks do. And that’s all there is to it, really. Just gotta use your common sense and keep yourself busy, and you’ll make it through the winter just fine.
And one more thing: if the power goes out, don’t panic. Just get out extra blankets, light some candles and maybe get some canned goods from the pantry. We old timers are used to it, no need for all this fancy electricity all the time. We survived just fine before, and we’ll survive just fine now. Just keep your wits about ya and stay calm and everything will be alright.
So, there you have it. That’s what I do when it’s cold out. Stay warm, stay busy, and stay safe. And before you know it, spring will be here, and we can all go back to complainin’ about the heat!
