In a short time in the grip of Winter Storm Fern you quickly remember things about cold weather that you discount in Southeast Texas.
Like dressing in layers, although it doesn’t take long to remember that rule.
That’s partly because my heavy winter jacket has almost been through as many winters as I have.
But over the years the zipper stopped working – something about me and zippers – while the snap buttons down the front – that once filled in for the busted zipper – also disappeared, leaving three buttons to do the job that seven once did.
Anyway, didn’t seem to matter in most years.
Except this wasn’t most years and when I took the dogs out at the start of the weekend – before things started to get interesting – I realize those gaps in the coat would be a problem.
Thus the layering.
My Aggie hoody under the jacket – also serving as another layer on my head – was starting to take shape as a real strategy.
No big deal. I took the dogs – three of them – out three maybe four times.
Once the temperatures really started to drop below 30, the dogs were well protected.
MaLinda had made sure all three had hoodies of their own, all matched to their disparate sizes.
MaLinda always has looked after her dogs’ winter wear.
I’m not sure I thought that was a big deal, because I haven’t wanted to stay out in the bitter cold, except as a kid living where it snowed a few inches every year.
But the dogs really took to their winter garments and were plenty happy to stay out in the cold, were it not for their old man.
Now, Harlee paid a price Monday.
While I wasn’t watching the Miniature Australian Shepherd, she took the opportunity to roll in some dung.
I got an earful for not watching her close enough – not sure what I was watching, but the middle canine turned her hoody into a mess.
The other two dogs had no such inclinations.
So Harlee spent all Monday without her dog sweater. She’s so thickly furred, I’m not sure she was really afflicted.
I kind of like the cold weather – it’s not like a common thing in this part of the world.
In the times of my life living in the desert – Odessa, Socorro, New Mexico – cold weather was an everyday factor in winter.
In the sixth grade in Socorro, we walked to school often in freezing temperatures.
I don’t remember it being a big deal however.
Well, Tuesday is tomorrow. Some cold left – and possibly more this weekend – but Harlee definitely will be wearing her winter ensemble.
