Could use some heat

I thought I had evolved.

After nearly half a century living in a northern clime, I finally reached the point where I looked forward to winter.

At least that’s what I told people.

Summer’s heat was just too intolerable. I longed for cooler air, a chilly breeze, a bit of frost. The heat just wore me out. It was my excuse for most anything I didn’t want to do.

The air-conditioner became my new best friend, much to the chagrin of the wood stove.

During the first month of bird season I only hunted early when the sun was low and the rattlesnakes were lower. By mid-morning it was already too hot, and it stayed balmy much of the fall. Rarely did I need to even wear a vest. I hunted in shirtsleeves nearly all season.

Christmas, New Year’s, and most of January had passed before it even began to look like winter. Ice fishermen were complaining, but few others were. Mild weather is generally well received everywhere in Montana.

Then it started to snow and the temperature dropped. It’s been well below zero for a few days now and tomorrow’s forecast calls for minus 30.

All of a sudden those sweltering summer days don’t sound so bad.

It could be worse. The coldest temperature ever recorded in the lower 48 was a bitter -70 on January 20, 1954 at Rogers Pass on Highway 200 near Lincoln.

I’ve experienced plenty of sub-zero weather since arriving in Montana 49 years ago, but nothing like that.

A low of -30, however, isn’t a big deal. I’ve been there, done that.

It will freeze my nose hairs, frost my glasses, and make my fingers ache. On the other hand, splitting wood for the stove is much easier when the mercury falls far below zero. Those blocks of cottonwood will practically split themselves.

If I can muster the ambition to step outside.

Over the years I’ve found it’s easier to weather such weather in the house. I stay home when it’s bitterly cold, using the excuse “I have to keep an eye on things so nothing freezes.”

Often though, the only things I’m keeping an eye on are the inside of my eyelids.

At about this point every winter my thoughts and dreams turn to warmer climes, palm trees and mild breezes. It helps pass the time until things warm up again and I can start complaining about the heat.

Parker Heinlein is at [email protected].