The things I ponder while trapped indoors

 

One thinks about a lot of stuff while isolated indoors while a period of sub-zero temperatures grips the region, restricts our movements and alters our routines.

The weather dominates local and national news this weekend, and for good reason. Not only are daytime highs well below zero in many areas, but gusting winds make the air feel as though it's 30-degrees below zero or colder. And significant snowfall is predicted in many parts of the country. 

I understand why the weather is a big part of the news coverage, but I frequently cringe at how TV news presents its coverage and question the need to dramatize how weather conditions might work to kill us, harm us, or damage our homes and property. 

It's nothing new and it's a standard of TV new since at least the 1970s. I'm just surprised and disappointed that it still presented this way. It always goes something this: Somber and intense looking TV-news anchors sitting in comfortable studios urge us not to step outdoors, because frigid temperatures combined with terrifying wind chills can contribute to frostbite on exposed skin within minutes. Then they take us live to one of their coworkers who is reporting from the outdoors, with her face exposed to the bitter cold and wind, telling us it's terribly cold and we should stay indoors to avoid the risk of frostbite and maybe death. 

It's the same delivery year after year and it happens during warmer months in my region, when thunderstorms are common - some poor reporter is sent out to stand in the rain to us how strong winds knocked down a tree somewhere. It's not groundbreaking reporting or necessary. 

Back to the present situation. We know it's cold and dangerous outside.  We don't need to see some poor soul standing outside in front of a camera to have it confirmed for us, but there it is, and for some reason those who produce TV news have determined such things must be reported today exactly has they have been for nearly 60 years.

I think the safety tips about indoor heating units are valuable and worthwhile, as are the suggestions for keeping furnaces operating efficiently during these days. 

I encourage adults to limit their consumption of alcohol. Isolation for any period of time can be mentally challenging. Best not to add to the challenges with alcohol or other drugs. 

Read books or find a creative outlet. Limit your screen time, whether it's with the TV or other devices. 

We'll get through the cold and the snowstorms. We have in the past; we will again.

--Thank you for reading. Your comments and questions are always welcome. Post your comments here, or send an email to kbotterman@gmail.com.

Time Moves Fast Fast Enough - Let's Not Push It

 

It's no secret that the calendar moves faster as we age, or at least it seems like it to many of us. You're welcoming the New Year one day and then it seems you're bidding it farewell soon thereafter.

I've noticed a few objective points of reference recently that make me think the accelerated movement of the calendar isn't all in the mind of this old man. I submit them here for your consideration.

I visited a local outlet of a national retailer about two weeks before Christmas Day and was surprised to see a display of St. Valentine's Day merchandise, a commercial event celebrated on Feb. 14.  I appreciate that many like to plan ahead and prepare for annual celebrations, but this seemed hurried and unnecessary, even for those individuals. 

A couple of days after celebrating Christmas, I visited the local outlet a second national retailer and observed a display of St. Patrick's Day merchandise, which will be celebrated March 17, three months away.  Time flies when you have merchandise to move, apparently, not just when you age.

I attributed both observations to aggressive marketing, but I was surprised and disappointed by a third observation, one that I haven't noticed before in my neighborhood. Many of my friends and neighbors took down their Christmas decorations, indoor and outdoor, immediately after the holiday. My neighborhood went from resembling a traditional Christmas village to just a regular streetscape in less than 48-hours. 

Most disappointing to me was a decision by the operators of a nearby pre-school to take down their holiday decorations immediately after Christmas. The school is locally known for its seasonal outdoor decorations, particularly at Halloween and Christmas. Oh, you should see them.  I always enjoy viewing their displays.  The school's operators kept their Christmas display up through early January years past, but not this year, and their abrupt departure from their practice, stunned and disappointed me.

My parents observed the 12 days of Christmas during my childhood, and we kept our holiday decorations, including our natural Christmas tree up and decorated through Jan. 5, leading up the Epiphany on Jan. 6.  Some years this meant are decorations, particularly the outdoor lights, were not down and packed away until nearly the middle of January, depending on schedules and weather conditions. 

We never put away the decorations with the excitement and enthusiasm we showed while putting them up in early December, but Dad always reminded us that storing them neatly would make it easier to unpack them for the next holiday season.  One way or another the lights, the ornaments, the accessories and even the family naivety set, which I still own today, got packed away in the front attic of our house. 

So, while our neighbors have tucked away their decorations and local businesses look ahead to February and March, my wife and I will wait until Sunday, Jan. 4 to take down our lights, our ornaments, and our tree. Then and only then, will we say farewell to Christmas 2005. We will then move ahead with 2026 at our own pace.

-- Happy New Year, and thank you for reading. Please offer comments or questions here, or send an email to kbotterman@gmail.com.