October 10, 2005

The question of heat

A universal annual competition for all of us North of the Mason Dixon line begins this month. It is the "Have you put your heat on yet?" contest. The point of this competition is to be the last person you know to bow to Ole Man Winter and kick on the furnace. Otherwise rational, intelligent people will put two down quilts on their beds, layer their clothing indoors, wear LL Bean wool socks, shearling slippers and fleece scarves (inside), even tolerate seeing their breath upon stepping out of the shower, just so that they can be the last one to put the heat on. Many normally bright adults will proudly proclaim that the indoor temperature of their house must drop to some ridiculous, arbitrary 40-some degree mark before they will even consider lighting the pilot. In fact, if you cave in and put the heat on before the end of October, there is something inherently wrong with you.
It was 52 in my house this morning. I have not yet even thought about lighting the furnace. This year, I will win.

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