The inhabitants of Chicago all seem to be experiencing the same sort of quiet desperation. The kind of desperation that makes them cling to 42-degree’d days even though it only feels like it’s just barely freezing.
Early this morning, children and their parents gathered at Touhy Park (which is conveniently located about 15 feet from our apartment) to play in the not-quite-warm-enough weather. I took a minute to watch them playing on the swings, on the slide, and in the dirt. I feel for my fellow Chicago parents and for their children. This winter has been hellishly cold (ha!). There has been snow and wind and miserableness around every turn. Going outside requires, at a minimum, four to five layers of clothing, plus snow pants, a coat, mittens, and a hat (and that’s just for the adults!). What would have been considered a short jaunt to the library or the grocery store under normal weather conditions has taken on an epic feel when attempted during these cold winter months.
Still, while I feel for these parents who are obviously suffering from a horrible bout of cabin fever, I have to wonder: Are they freaking nuts? It was only 42 degrees, AT BEST, today. It was also WINDY. And hello, these people were out at 10 AM-certainly not during the warmest part of the day. Jude and I went out to play at around 3:30 or so, and it was freezing then, never mind how cold it must have been at early o’clock this morning.
I’m desperate for Spring at this point, but I just can’t get all that excited over 42 cold degrees. Yes, 42 is better than 22, but only slightly. I’m longing for 65 or 70 degrees. I want to be able to let Jude play at the playground for more than 20 minutes at a clip. I don’t want to have to worry about layers of clothes, and hats, and mittens. I want to be able to turn my thermostat down from its resting place at 70 degrees. I desire natural warmth.
So, uhm, Spring? If you read this, how about hustlin’ your butt over to Chicago? I promise, you’ll receive the greatest, and warmest (ha! again), welcome ever.
Our temperature has been bouncing from the upper 40s to the lower 20s and teens, and it’s driving us nuts! Either stay cold or stay warm (preferably warm), but this back-and-forth is killing me! Oh spring, where art thou?
Oh Jillian, I appreciated this blog. I was watching the Weather Channel this morning and they announced that it would be 45(ish) degrees in Chicago today and my reaction was, “Ugh, even Chicago is warmer than Rhode Island!”
I should share that the rest of the forecast was a wind advisory, which, I think, brings good ol’ Chicago’s temp to equal, or lower, than it is here in the Ocean State.
Oh Jillian, I appreciated this blog. I was watching the Weather Channel this morning and they announced that it would be 45(ish) degrees in Chicago today and my reaction was, “Ugh, even Chicago is warmer than Rhode Island!”
I should share that the rest of the forecast was a wind advisory, which, I think, brings good ol’ Chicago’s temp to equal, or lower, than it is here in the Ocean State. Let my wishes for spring join yours (and those of others) to bring it a little sooner.
I love you, Jill! And I love that you will tell me how crazy I am for siding with those people who cling to the 40-degree days! But, I know you understand my stance on this coming from the land of Mooses. We get excited when we only get a foot of snow out of a storm system
On Saturday there was little wind, not a cloud in the sky, and the temperature was hovering around 35. So, what would one do in Southern Maine with this chance of meteorological events? Why slap on a wetsuit and hop in the ocean, of course! We spent 2 hours in the water surfing (small, but pleasant and clean waves) on Saturday! Hey Jill, lets enjoy the little things 
I love you and miss you!
Louise-I hear you. This back and forth between horrible and nice is frustrating.
Eva-You know, they’re not kidding when they call Chicago “The Windy City.” Half the time the weather would be more than bearable if it weren’t for the super gusty wind.
Laurenian-You’re God-damned crazy. (= Surfing? For realz? In 35-degree weather? You’re nuts! *muah*