Winter Solstice

I didn't even notice this event pass me by--I guess it's a gradual incremental slip down of the sun, earlier and earlier until this SOLSTICE, the darkest doomday of the calendar. However, there was plenty on my mind. Mainly the eye-watering, snotting cold.

My temperature diary, courtesy of iGoogle, for 12.21.08.

-6 oF : I wake up and check the temperature. Approx. 9 a.m. central time.

-3 oF : I walk out for the first time in the day, experimentally, as I have never felt sub-zero temps just to buy an avocado from down the street. Doesn't really feel any different from walking home late in 9 degree weather. Approx. lunchtime.

-3 oF (or colder) : Attempt to buy a large stuffed frog. (Xmas for nephew) Fail. Miss the bus. Freeze. Decide to cut my losses and eat a decadent choco cupcake with a knock my teeth out strong espresso. Two flamboyant dudes ask me to share their cupcakes. I politely offer up a bite of mine and get a large lime/rasp. custard bite in exchange. Good company and karma.

-something : Wait at the bus stop near the park on Damen, there is a Starbucks coffee cup with a powdering of snow sitting on the bench. I step in a snowdrift getting in the bus shelter.

60-70 oF : Bus. Approx. 5:30 p.m., according to the bus clock.

68 oF : Stand in liquor store talking on phone. I refuse to go outside.

-something, colder : store windows on Division are completely frosted over. Clear glass becomes semi-transparent glass. Store windows look like large street lamps. Approx. 6 p.m.

-4 o F : The people who live next to the road on my street have given up shoveling their sidewalks. I jump from left to right in my galoshes, trying to stay up from sinking into the 4 inches of snow. Brain flashes to images of polar bears on ice floats and stories about Inuit elders sent out to die on pieces of melting glacier. Approx. way dark, 7 p.m.

60ish oF : Decide that I am not leaving the house. Even if it means missing the Metal band Soltice fest downtown. Phew.

**

Today, approx. 10:16 a.m. : ready myself for the trip to O'Hare and 70 degree S. Florida weather. Feeling a bit limp and unwilling to leave and getting ready to pick through my boxed up summer clothes for something to wear.