Winter in Chicagoland is magical, friends. Just magical.
Well…to be fair, it’s a little chilly. In a magical kind of way.
With an abundance of snow that magically blocks my driveway and impedes my finely honed carpooling abilities.
Gwen the Rescued Foxhound-Beagle Mix refuses to venture out into the frozen yard to do her business, magically transforming my back deck into a Winter Wonderland Poopdeck.
I scuttled out to the mailbox yesterday and regretted it the instant I touched the little red metal flag on its side. By the forces of what can only be described as magic, my right thumb and forefinger are still attached to that flag. Now I wave to them with my other three fingers, or sometimes just offer a one-fingered salute, through the front window.
Sigh. Chicagoland gets punched right in the privates by winter each and every freaking year. Is that what you wanted to hear?
Because it is the gospel truth. As you may very well know, Chicago has earned the moniker of Chiberia in light of the fact that this winter has been particularly, throat-seizingly, breath-snatchingly cold.
Yeah. Good times. I can hear you folks in Florida and Hawaii and Arizona and Taiwan and Anywhere But Here laughing at me. You can all just stop it right now.
No, really. Quit it.
But. Chiberia is occasionally granted a temporary reprieve from the bitterness, as was the case this past weekend. Temperatures soared to 37 degrees, and we in the City of Wind donned our swimsuits and enjoyed impromptu pool parties.
That was a lie. But this is not: The Cherubs and I took full advantage of the balmy weather.
Yessirree. We punched Old Man Winter back. Right in the privates. And it was magical.
Inspired by a prompt from Mama Kat.
My little brother just moved to Chicago & we trade temps every morning. When it was 3 degrees where I am & my mother was calling me to complain about 27 degrees my brother would show us all up with his -15 degree highs. Needless to say, Chiberia has beat us every time!
Stay warm & enjoy that 37 degrees!
The thing of it is, Kate? It NEVER LASTS. I just sent The Small One out to the bus stop in a temp of -1. Punched again.
I am not a fan of the cold. I grew up in Pittsburgh and spent one very cold miserable winter in Rochester, NY, but other than that, I’ve been in NC for most of my adult life. We are wimps here and delay school for 20 degree weather. I’ll take it.
I can hear you giggling, Shell. Knockitoff.
that was a magical post! kelley at the road goes ever ever on
Well. Thank you, Kelley! *tips black top hat; swirls cape around shoulders*
Yeeeeaaaah. Sitting on my couch over here in Cali. Screen door is wide open. I was hot yesterday. I’m sorry.
But your backyard really does look magical to me!
Shut up, man. {xoxoxo}
Love this! I live in Connecticut. It’s pretty freaking cold. Last week it got into the 40′s and I literally almost went out on the back deck to sunbathe. Funny how that works, isn’t? I perused your site. You are awesome! Looking forward to reading more!
Well. Thank you for the kind words! Funny how a little dose of perspective alters our perceptions, huh, Mo?
I forgot to mention that I love your backyard. Very inviting!
Thanks again. I love it even better in the summer.
Well, on the upside, Chicago has a wealth of things to do and see when weather is nicer, so it has it’s advantages.
Very true. Love your positive outlook…I needed that!
Ooo s’mores. I so love s’mores!
There’s something about enjoying them in the depths of winter that makes them all the more special, Amber. Truly.
Sue I grew up in DC so I’m used to the cold and snow and other nonsense. But after living in Nashville for the last 20 years I kinda got spoiled by mild winters. Well we got kicked in the privates, teeth and head so far this Winter! I mean school was even cancelled one day because kids would be at the bus stop in single digits. That of course made for the longest Christmas/Winter break.ever! -_-
I hear you, Alisha. We had an “extended” winter break as well due to Mother Nature’s Project Chiberia. le sigh.
You are a master at making magic.
Oh. And YUM!
Takes Magic to know Magic.
Punching him in the privates?
He’s lucky if he has any.
I lost my nipples a week ago and right now, a squirrel is looking sexy.
Says the Canuck. I know…I know…It could be worse, o nipple-less one.
The lights on your poop deck with the snow, just really does make Chiberia look magical!
Because…really…who doesn’t love a magical Chiberian poopdeck?
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That does look magical! And I was laughing about your pup…I watched one of our cats do her business on the back deck the other day rather than venture out into the snow. Thanks Oreo.
Seriously, Michelle. I believe they know ex-ACT-ly what they’re doing when they pull that crap. So to speak.
Oh I am sure they do! I guess I should be happy she didn’t use the litter box because I hate cleaning that thing.
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