This list is inspired by the temperature here on the south Texas Coast. As I write this the temperature is thirty-seven degrees. Way too cold for an old fart and his dog.
Ten Things Not to Do When the Weather Turns Cold
10 If the weather turns cold, do not think turning on the heat is for wimps. If you do, at best you may find yourself refusing to get out of bed. At worst, you could see your pipes freeze and split like a bratwurst on a hot fire. A slit bratwurst is no big deal, the pipes a little more problematic.
9 If the weather turns cold, do not avoid getting out the heavy clothes. If you do, at best you will find yourself shivering when you go outside. At worst, you could be found stiff as a board sitting on a bench waiting for the rescue dog with the brandy. (Be sure to pen a goodbye note)
8 If the weather turns cold, do not think that black spot in the road is water. If you do, at best you will only skid a little as you hit it. At worst, you will get a free spinning ride like the one you paid good money for back in July when you visited Disney World. This time though the stop may be a little more sudden.
7 If the weather turns cold, do not think that white stuff falling from the sky will go away on its own. If you do, At best you could have a hard time moving when you go outside. At worst, the buildup will be such that you are no longer able to open the doors and will have to resort to eating leftovers out of the freezer which have been in there for an eon or two. (And nothing’s marked as to content or date)
6 If the weather turns cold, do not think the outdoor plans you made in July do not need to be modified. If you do, at best you might not have much fun playing badminton in twenty-five mile an hour winds and wind-chill of minus twenty. At worst, you will lose several family members to frostbite before you realize the shirts and skins basketball game was not such a good idea.
5 If the weather turns cold, do not think you can enjoy a coffee at your usual outdoor café. If you do, at best you will find yourself hugging the cup instead of drinking it. At worst, you will be the only one outside and will remain there until the street clearing crew uncovers your carcass in the spring.
4 If the weather turns cold, do not think you can continue to commute to work on your bicycle. If you do, at best you will arrive at work unable to release your hands from the grips. At worst, you will not be able to thaw out until after the important meeting with new clients and their comment to your boss is to the effect that you seem stiff and cold.
3 If the weather turns cold, do not take your dog for a walk without some kind of wrap on the dog. If you do at best the dog won’t want to go and will surprise you later at home. At worst, your dog will not want to go and will decide you are the one who needs to be led by the leash or worse needs to be carried back home.
2 If the weather turns cold, do not think you can continue to grill outside like it was August. If you do, At best you will be serving cold meals although not intended. At worst, you will be way too close to the grill to keep warm and chance spontaneous combustion which if happens will possibly ruin the meat as well.
1 If the weather turns cold, do not think this is a good time to finally put away the garden hoses that have been lying around the yard. If you do, at best you will have the equivalent of an octopus to manage given how stiff the hose has become. At worst, you will find that the hose is connected to the faucet and every effort to remove it leads to an expensive visit by a plumber and housing contractor not to mention the new skating rink that you used to call your backyard.
Fiction Favorites 
All great advice. It’s surprising what odd things happen in the early days of winter.
LikeLike
I remember in Chicago chipping ice of the windshield and putting a big crack in it. Was not too smart.
LikeLike
Been there. A year or two ago my door handle was so frozen that it simply broke off in my hand.
LikeLike
Great list, John! Right now my day is starting off at 70 degree and it’s dropping from there. Should get below freezing tomorrow and Wednesday nights. Such a rare occurrence here that I’m more than happy to break out my sweaters and scarves and, yes, even thermal underwear 😉
LikeLike
Thanks for the re-blog. I am needing to catch up on 7A and 8. A little behind 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem. Those posts will be up for awhile 😉
LikeLike
No problem. Those posts will be up for awhile 😉
LikeLike
Ha ha…these are great, John! I loved numbers 4 and 5! Have a great day!
LikeLike
You as well Jill.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on 1WriteWay and commented:
A very special “not to-do” list from John Howell, for all our friends experiencing cold temps and heavy snow. Best enjoyed with a hot drink and several layers of clothing.
LikeLike
Watching the flurries blowing around right now – first of the season.
LikeLike
BRRRRR. Thanks Teri
LikeLike
Great post! It’s never that cold in Greece, and we can almost keep having coffee at the outdoor cafe, even in winter. Still, from time to time, it gets a bit cold, so I will keep all 10 points of yours in mind. Especially the one about the bicycle and me appearing ‘stiff and cold’ to clients. We wouldn’t want that. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for the visit. Yes the bike thing could be hazardous to career growth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We feel some cold around Christmas for about two weeks, then again in February for about two weeks. I’ll keep these in mind, but I don’t think we need to worry about snow and ice 🙂
LikeLike
Lucky us.
LikeLike
Another great list of what not to do These are always entertaining as well as chock full of advice for those who need it. 😀 😀
LikeLike
Gotta watch the advice though. Sometimes is is a little hairy.
LikeLike
We could get single digits Monday and Tuesday night …. so I imagine will go outside to sit in the spa …. thus warming to the core.
LikeLike
I forgot about spas. Here in Texas it is too hot for spas. I remember sitting in one in Indiana watching the beautiful snow fall.(had a brandy with me at the time)
LikeLike
Ahhhh … what a wonderful thought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If the weather turns cold crack the window. It feels amazing. 🙂
LikeLike
I live in New Hampshire — a tad chillier than Texas! My family and I made a deal we wouldn’t turn on the heat until November 1. Even though nights got down to the twenties and days barely reached fifties, we stayed strong.
But, heat went on first thing November 1! 🙂
LikeLike
We call it #noheatnovember and try to make it until December 1. When the house got to fifty degrees I snapped. This was the earliest yet. Thanks for the comment.
LikeLike
Guess I’ll be putting this to use tonight. We’re going from gale force winds/tornado warnings to a freeze warning…….
LikeLike
We thin bloods are not used to this mistreatment.
LikeLike
[…] Top 10 Monday: 10 Things Not To Do When the Weather Turns Cold […]
LikeLike