This morning as I drove to work, the car themometer said, "10 degrees f."
As I entered Salt Lake valley the trees were covered with fresh, white snow and it was a beautiful sight from within my cozy warm car (which I have set to maintain an internal temperature of 82 degrees f.).
The quality of my life is highly influenced by the temperature. I wear two pairs of socks, sweat shirt and pants, and often a blanket in my house. Yes, the house is heated. In my office, I have taped half of the air duct in the ceiling. Cool air comes whishing in, year round. I don't get the mechanics of that. I have a portable heater which was manufactured sometime in the 70's that was donated to my heating cause my a kind co-worker. It is turned on daily. Men come up to my doorway and bellow as they react to the heat!! No women complain.
Now there is a serious problem about shopping. There has been a decision in the state of Utah to design and build outdoor malls. This is a crazy idea - if you ask me. I was riding in a van pool the other day and another woman brought it up to me. This was gratifying as I realized I wasn't alone in my notions about the connection between "enjoyment, shopping, and physical comfort". She said that since Cottonwood Mall was now going to be like the Gateway Mall she didn't know what she was going to do about her shopping pleasure. I agreed with her - we're losing pleasure fast around here!! Who can stand to loiter around, have fun, spend money, and freeze?
I know plenty of people complain constantly about the heat. You have no idea how many people complain. I make no snide comments back. I try to understand their discomfort, their pain, their feelings of persecution due to the heat - and I say nothing.
