Down

What a glorious day. I started out the door in my down coat once again – but the front door – not the back. It’s garbage day. I don’t mean to brag. In the household division of chores, I get the recycling and garbage ready, Donny brings it out. Even though I’m up earlier, I’ll often let it sit in the front hall and not take it to the curb. But he was hunting yesterday and I wondered when he’d wake up, so I made a few trips. It’s enchanting. A frost covers the lawn like a glazed donut.

In my down coat, I am not cold for one minute. I highly recommend, if you live in North country, that you have – not a sweater – but a down coat on the nearest hook. If you don’t walk out and get chilled, you don’t rush. This is worth the price of down, but there is surely last year’s down or ten years ago down hanging somewhere. You don’t have to leave it hanging over a chair or one of those decorative hooks. Mine’s on a hook leading down to the basement. A hall closet hook will work. The point is, have it handy. Just grab it. Just go outside. Be so warm you don’t fear to breathe deeply. It’s really been an amazing discovery…this wearing of down to write in a cold cabin…or to take out the recycling in a November that’s breaking records for warmth.