A Winter for the Record Books

 As winter blankets the ground in its stark, icy white beauty, this season has taken an unexpected turn - one marked by unusual winds and temperatures diving far below our norm. Many of us find ourselves adjusting our routines, wardrobes, and even our perspectives to deal with this unusually bitter winter weather. My elderly father and others are in shock having gotten snow in Florida. This is a winter that will make the record books in many places.

I’ve lived here over a decade and this is the first year it’s been so cold so long. The ice fishing shacks on the nearby river went up earlier this season. The fact they are out there at all is iffy. This inland waterway runs from the ocean and is a combination of salt and freshwater that moves up and down with the tide daily, and can make the ice unstable.

Leaving for work the last few mornings in the dark has presented new challenges. Car doors and windows are frozen in place, including the locks to get inside. Driving where the streets have been treated with the salt mix that melts ice, the frigid temps cause it to refreeze (if it melts at all) and create dreaded black ice. Stopping for gas in below zero weather and a frostbite warning in place was a tricky task. I had to giggle at the takers while there as they stood pumping fuel jumping and dancing in place to generate body heat. 

Working in a large warehouse close to the truck bay doors I found myself removing my work gloves and blowing into my hands to warm them up. In my years working in packing it’s a first. As I navigate this unusually cold winter, I’m adapting and embracing the challenges. Every season has its beauty,  it’s just a matter of perspective and preparation. Winter won’t last forever. The February thaw will still come, and with it winter will lose its icy grip.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following this blog.