We Will Go Outside

It's been oddly cold for December in Oklahoma.  As I just commented to a Canadian blogger, who writes about - 74 temperatures plus wind chill, I realize that 34 degrees is not exactly Siberia.  But when the sun dips behind the housing and the wind chill says we're at a brisk 15 degrees, we all just groan a bit.

And the thing is - it's December.  Only the beginning of winter.  In fact, just 3 weeks ago, I had brand new marigold plants popping out of the ground, 3 daisies had bloomed and my tropical hibiscus was budding.  In November.  When we put up the outside Christmas lights, I just couldn't bring myself to put a lighted spiral tree next to a blooming tropical flower.   This is not Hawaii or Florida, people and plants.  It's Oklahoma, where we may not have a solid weather pattern, but by golly, winter is marked with the passing of tropical plants.

So as I was lining the northern windows with plastic, Andy comes rushing in to ask if we can play outside.  "No," I responded with the "duh" implied.  "I am not going outside, it is too cold."

"Can't Paul and I go on the trampoline then?" 

I shrugged and said okay, because it's no skin off my nose if they want to freeze their little hineys off.  And I also knew that a) jumping on the trampoline while bundled up probably would create a decent body temperature and b) Andy's sense of self-preservation would kick in (he's opposed to discomfort of any kind). 

And I was right.  Seven minutes and 43 seconds later, they came dashing back in.

Thirty-four degrees isn't too bad when the sun is shining and there is no breeze or wind.  But take away the sun and add a frigid northern blast and boom, even the kids say it's cold.

Hello winter.