Slowly as the harsh winter weather took a turn for the better last week, I was able to peel off layers of clothing and feel some warm sun on this aging body as I spent some time out of doors.

For this transplanted Southerner, living in the mid-west has presented several challenges to living. The first would be the increased utility bill. When I hear people complaining because their utility bill in that area is high, I think it sounds small since my heating bill was double theirs. Of course, when the wind howls from the north, the temperatures are in the low teens to zero for days, you expect to pay the piper for heat. I did, so I still have heat which may be needed this weekend as we expect snow showers Saturday and Sunday.

Another challenge is staying upright on icy sidewalks when the wind is trying to blow me to Texas. I say Texas, because the wind almost always blows out of the north in the winter.

Still another challenge is layering my clothing. As a kid, I hated to wear a coat and usually opted not to wear one even when it was very cold. Up here, I have to layer or freeze. As I was peeling off the layers the other day, I thought: I am no longer an apple. Apples have a thin layer of peel. No, I am now more like an onion with layers and layers added to my already stocky build. When I put on three or four layers then add my down coat with the big hood, I look like the abominable snowman. In fact, I probably look more like a snowman than the ape-like man of lore. However, I probably waddle like an ape when I add boots and gloves to the mix.

The green bean types here just walk around looking like tall fire hydrants. Life isn’t fair, but then no one ever said it was. Actually, they are probably as uncomfortable as I am, but if they are from this area, they won’t admit it.

I asked one of our pastors’s recently how people lived in Minnesota up near the Canadian border where he grew up? He said, we thought nothing about all the snow. In fact, most of sporting activities are in the winter months. We snowboard, ride snowmobiles, cross-country ski and ice fish! They actually loved having big snowfalls even though they got no snow days! Yes, I said no snow days. Imagine having to negotiate your way to school in 6 or 8 feet of snow.

Hmmm…it’s all a matter of perspective, I guess. Had I been given a choice of my birthplace and my current abode, it would be in Hawaii. Yes, I know there are volcanoes, but at least the heat from them is warm, and no snakes.

What is it with the media and Anna Nicole Smith? The poor woman is dead. They need to bury her and let her rest in peace.

I think much of the media in this country has gone stark raving mad… except the Shopper, of course. Thank heavens there are still some outlets that print news rather than feed at the trough of a dead person’s life.

Quotable Quote: “Don’t sing songs to a heavy heart.” Dr. Kenneth Haugk.