Clothes for Cold Days

Now that our weather has turned decidedly cold - I have all my winter clothes out. I have lots of options but I find myself thinking more about what helps the most to keep me comfortable in the cold:

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Shoes. My hiking boots are the warmest shoes I have. The thick soles - insulating my feet from the cold ground are the most important part of the shoe. I have some clogs which are my second warmest shoes; they are open in the back but their soles are thick and I wear them with thick socks if it isn’t wet or snowy.

Gloves. If it is cold when I go shopping - I have discovered that I am more comfortable putting my coat in the trunk of the car before I leave my garage….putting on gloves with my indoor winter wear (typically sweatshirt and jeans)…and walking fast between the car and the store. If I wear my coat into the store, I get too hot. Wearing the gloves keeps me comfortable for the minute it takes for the short walk. Somehow my hands are the first part of me to get cold. I also have mega-gloves for when I need to work outside (shoveling snow, for example).

Scarves. It is amazing how much extra comfort a scarf can provide when it is very cold. It seals off air leaks around the neck…or can be pulled up to partially cover the face if it is really cold.

Hoodie. I like to wear a hoodie under my coat. It is a good layer too…if it isn’t quite as cold as I thought. In really cold weather I wear a knit hat and pull the hoodie up over the hat!

Gleanings of the Week Ending May 03, 2014

The items below were ‘the cream’ of the articles and websites I found this past week. Click on the light green text to look at the article.

A Ranking of the Deadliest Animals in the World - The mosquito is the only one more deadly than humans!

Rainbow Slime Recipe for Play - I couldn’t resist…it’s pretty and fun looking…a great activity for the child in us all!

Two items about bees: 5 Facts about Bumblebees—and how to help them (the bumblebees were very active on a redbud blooming in our area) and The Waggle Dance of the Honeybee (this is not a new video…but timely as the bees become more active this year).

10 Spring Cleaning To Dos for Your Digital Abode: Part I - This is a list written for teachers but it makes sense for others as well! Part I is the first 5 of the 10.

Some of the Strangest and Most Artistic Rooftops in the World - The ones that are green with vegetation are my favorites.

Exquisite Macro Photos Reveal the Miniature World of Insects - My favorite is the dragonfly catching a ride on the seed puff.

Mount Baldy at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore to Remain Off-Limits Indefinitely - Sand behaving in unexplained way….the world is not always easily understood.

Ethereal Silk Scarves Feature NASA's Photographs of Space - I want one of these for Christmas!

Elegant Animal Illustrations Created Using a Morié Pattern - The owl captured my attention…..and then the bats.

Optimizing sweet potato production - Sweet potatoes are one of my favorite foods. I’m glad they are becoming more appreciated. I’ve always had good luck growing them too.