Happy February! I’m joining Coco and Deborah once again for our monthly coffee date. I’m drinking my usual earl grey tea out of my Baylor mom mug, because I’ve been missing my Bear lately. Speaking of which…
If we were having coffee together, I would tell you that it snowed in Texas! This was an event for my son, who, at the age of 19, had never seen snow before. I know… how is that even possible???
Well, he was born and raised here in South Florida. Of course we tried many times to see snow, but it seemed that we were somehow cursed. Every time we went up north in the winter, we were preceded by an unexplained warm front, which would melt all the snow shortly before our arrival. One year we went up to Chicago for Christmas. The snow they had all melted the day before we arrived, and then the next time it snowed was… when we were on the airplane, waiting to take off to fly back to Florida. We sat on the runway, looking through the window at fluffy white snowflakes falling.
Eventually we stopped trying to “see snow” because it just led to disappointment. When my son went to Baylor this year, he was hopeful about the possibility of snow in the winter. Yesterday they had a storm warning, predicting a “wintry mix” of freezing rain, turning to sleet, and finally turning to…
It wasn’t a lot, but still pretty exciting for a Florida kid.
On the other end of the spectrum, summer has returned to South Florida. It was 80 degrees here today, and we’re back to tank top running weather.
We have our AC on at night again, which leads me to my “sleep epiphany.” During our recent cold spell, we slept with the windows open, and I slept soundly every night. I need it COLD for sleeping! When it’s warm out, we put our AC on 68 at night and it’s still not cool enough for me. I don’t think we can put it much lower without the AC unit- and our electric bill- exploding.
So, I continue to struggle with sleep and I’m really not sure what to do about it. Possibly a fan trained only on me? (My husband doesn’t want it as cold as I do.) Anyone have any ideas for me?
Moving on, I read an interesting and varied quartet of books in January:
The House in the Cerulean Sea was recommended by Stephany, and was a bit of a stretch for me because I don’t normally read fantasy. But I liked it! Now I’m back to my first love- mysteries. I’m reading Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke. It was described as a “fair-play” mystery, i.e. the reader is given all the information they need to solve the crime themselves as the book goes on. I love this type of book.
However, one thing about this particular book is shocking to me- the racism in the small Texas town where the story takes place. If I didn’t know better, I would place the story in the 1960s- but right at the beginning the author specifies the year is 2016, probably for people like me who are unaware of what’s still going on in the rural south. The author is a Black woman who grew up in Texas, so although the story is fictional, I assume the situation she describes is accurate.
One last thing- is anyone else still struggling to comprehend that the Olympics has begun? Opening ceremony is tonight but several events have already started. Maybe I’ve just been distracted, but this seems like the most low-key buildup to any Olympics, ever.
So that’s it for this coffee date!
What are you reading now?
Do you sleep better in the cold? Does temperature make a big difference for you?
Do you like snow?
42 Responses
I need a cool room, not cold! I think in the summer we put it down to about 74 or 3. And our bedroom is on the second floor, so it get pretty toasty there!
That’s one of the big differences in the south — when it gets really cold, it doesn’t last long. But it can still do a lot of damage. 🙁
Yes, my son said the snow is already melted. But last year (before he was there) they had the “snow-pocalypse” where it snowed, everyone lost power, pipes froze… it was quite an event.
I grew up in southern Florida until I was 12. I remember it snowed once for like 5 minutes and it was the most exciting thing! My parents did take us up north to ski a few times and that was also very exciting. The grass is always greener!
I’m wondering if that was the “big snow” of 1977? (Not sure if you’re old enough!) My husband was in high school in Boca at the time and he said it was the most exciting thing ever. That was the last time it snowed here!
Whenever I hear about snow in Texas it always throws me for a loop! I was born in NY so I was introduced to cold weather and snow very early in life, lol.
Like you, I like my room to be cool when I go to sleep. When it’s too warm it feels so stuffy and uncomfortable!
I grew up near Chicago so snow was our norm too. I have to say… I don’t miss it.
I’m very excited to watch the Olympics! There is a lot of Minnesota representation there this year. Apparently we are decent at winter sports! Even though we don’t have mountains, we have ski ‘hills’ where people like Lindsey Vonn learned to ski! And it clearly worked!
I love how excited your son was to see snow! It really is quite pretty. When we were in Louisiana, our uber driver said he’d lived there for 40 years and saw snow ONCE.
Yes, I can see how you Minnesota folks would be into winter sports! I wasn’t excited leading up to it, but now I’m getting into it. I loved the skating last night!
I enjoyed Living with Seal. Couldn’t do it, but it ws a fun read
Currently reading “Growing Up Biden” and Bill Hayes’ Sweat, nice returns to non fiction after a January of palate cleansers.
Glad your son got to see snow.
I don’t find sleeping in AC comfortable, but it’s a necessary evil a few times a year here. I wonder if the breeze from the open windows is part of what helps you
I’m sure the fresh air is beneficial, after sleeping with AC for so long.
Living With a Seal definitely motivated me- no way can I do what they did (remember the day Jesse did 1000 pushups???) but I realized I could do a little more than I’m doing.
Yes I need it COLD to sleep well. Thankfully the Caveman does as well. We turn it down to 64 and I’m still plenty warm. Hooray for your son to finally get to enjoy some snow. My daughter said Atlanta got a couple of “snow event” over the last few weeks and the campus just goes nuts! The Olympics is totally low-key. Not sure if it’s because much of the media is not allowed in, politics or what. But GO NATHAN CHEN!! I’m so glad he rocked the team event last night. It was so heart breaking to watch him struggle at the last Olympics. And a side note: Shoma Uno skated at our rink when I was a skating coach (5-10 years ago) and he is the nicest guy ever. I’m so happy for him as well!
Funny thing- you saw what a “dusting” of snow they got in Waco. But classes were canceled, ha ha. I think it wasn’t just the snow but the icy rain they got before that. Still… kind of funny.
Yes, I saw Nathan skate last night. He was amazing. Definitely excited about the skating!
Although I prefer the heat, I do like it comfortable cold for sleeping (becasue I like snuggling under a warm blanket). I think the warmth of a blanket is comforting (?). Even in the heat of summer, I have to have at least a sheet over me (even if the ceiling fan is about to launch off its mounting). I was really surprised I didn’t see any snow last week! We did have plenty of frost, though.
Yes, that’s my ideal sleep situation- a cold room so I can be under a quilt. I agree it feels comforting.
We never, ever get snow down where we are. The last time it snowed here was the 1970s, and they (the “experts”) say it won’t happen again. I’m not sure about the Orlando area though- they might be too far south as well.
We bought a cooling mattress pad when we upgraded mattresses. It worked really well. So well, in fact, that I disposed of it and got a new down one because it was too cold for me – I like to be toasty when I sleep. If you haven’t already considered a cooling mattress pad and/or a cool pillow, those might be good places to start.
I find it impossible to imagine not having seen snow. It’s coming down right now as we speak!
I’ll definitely look into a cooling mattress pad- the only problem is my husband probably won’t like it. A cool pillow might be the place for me to start.
I know- I grew up in the midwest so we had PLENTY of snow! Sometimes it’s hard for me to fathom that my kids have had such a different childhood than I did.
Ugh. Not a fan of snow and yet…I live in Canada. If your son wants to see snow, tell him to come here. It has been nonstop this winter. Oh well, I love living here 9 months of the year. It can’t be perfect or everyone would uproot and come to live in Wolfville. Haha.
I’m actually really bummed about the Olympics. I’m usually SO into watching them and we spent a lot of time doing it this summer as a family which was really fun. Having them this close together, with the tough time zone…I’m just not into them this year at all and I’m disappointed because I know it’s another 4 years.
Maybe tomorrow I’ll start getting into a groove of watching some with the kids? They did LOVE it in the summer. I think one of the things is we don’t have any regular TV access; we only have streaming services. It’s easy to access from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation via the internet, but it just feels very different from turning on the TV and watching it that way.
I agree- the time difference really takes away some of the fun. I’m looking forward to summer of 2028- they’ll be in LA! You should definitely check it out though, especially since you guys are into winter sports!
I definitely need to sleep in cool temperatures. Often in the summer, we will have the windows open during the day but put the AC on at night. A girl’s gotta sleep!
You could always come here to visit! We’ve got lots of snow to share!
You say that, but I promise you if we came, all your snow would melt! Ha ha…
I definitely sleep better when it is cooler. I wish I would read more. I like the idea but when it comes down to it I feel like I should be doing something more productive…haha
I know that feeling! If I make it a goal to read four books a month, then I do feel like reading is more “productive” (as opposed to being a luxury) because I need to be able to check it off my list. It’s all about how you frame these things!
I sleep better with cold temperatures, it’s a pleasure to stay under warm blankets!
Here we saw the snow 4 years ago (February 2018).
I am not a fan of Winter Olympics, I think I will not follow the event.
Even though I’m not really interested in any of the winter events, I’ve still been watching a little and enjoying it!
I want it cold enough to need a big comforter, because I like have big covers on me. I think we keep our house at 68F.
I think there’s a shadow over the Olympics with it being in China, and all the covid restrictions. We saw some ice skating on TV Thursday and didn’t realize it was the Olympics at first because the stands were empty.
Yes, empty stands definitely don’t encourage excitement. But I have been watching some and enjoying it.
I have got to get myself a plane ticket and go somewhere warm! Enough of this madness. I fall asleep more easily when I’m warm. If it’s cold then I feel tense and that keeps me awake.
I just finished The Four Winds by Kristen Hannah. I liked the book but hated the ending, so I can’t recommend it. Next up I’ll be reading The Maid, which I’ve heard raves about.
That’s funny- I have a hold on The Maid at the library. You’ll have to let me know how it is!
I had heard it snowed in Texas! I remember meeting Australians who had never seen snow before and were enthralled. It’s so interesting to me, as I grew up here.
I am just about to start Standard Deviation, and I’m excited about it as I love the author.
I haven’t read that, but it sounds good- I hope you’re enjoying it!
I also need it cold to sleep well.
I grew up on the East coast and don’t miss the snow at all. I do enjoy visiting it and skiing, then going home to warm sunshine. 😉
I don’t don’t miss it! I wouldn’t mind it once a year maybe- on Christmas Eve- but i can definitely do without it.
I definitely need it to be cool to sleep well. It’s why I struggle so much in the summer, despite having the AC on.
How fun that your son got to see snow! After getting so much here last weekend and more yesterday, the thought of warmer climates sounds so nice right about now 😉
Yes, I’m not complaining about our warmer temps (well, other than the sleep issue…) I’m not missing the snow at all!
I just finished The Maid. Enjoyed it.
I hate air conditioning. Luckily it doesn’t get that hot up here.
Snow is pretty. It’s ice that gets in the way of driving and running. That’s what we have now.
Keep those temps warm for me.
The Maid is one of the holds I’m waiting for from the library right now.
I think you’re going to get pretty good weather. You don’t want it TOO hot for your race!
I hate the snow. I’ve lived in Chicago for over 40 years now but now lately dislike it a lot. Glad your son experienced his first snow in Texas. Wow, 80 degrees is Florida. 🙂 I’ve read Living with a Seal and liked it. Funny but know I would not survive. Heck, I don’t even want to run outside right now in this weather.
David Goggins would not only be running outside in your weather, but would be wearing shorts and a t-shirt. i wouldn’t survive it either!
I like it colder at night too… although my husband likes it much cooler than me and actually does sleep with a fan blasting at him. I don’t know how he stands it (it would make me crazy), but he’s too hot otherwise.
I grew up with snow, so I am very exciting that your son got to experience it in Texas LOL
I wish my husband liked it extra cold! I would like to sleep in a cold room under a nice quilt.
I love sleeping in a super cold room, too, so that would be really hard for me not to turn down the AC just a little more when it’s cold! I’ve looooved the weather we’re having now (or earlier this month) where I wake up and it’s SO COLD in my apartment. It feels great! Maybe try a fan aimed on you? I was dating someone this summer who kept her AC set at 83/84 and I really had no idea how we would have ever made our relationship work, hahaha. She would turn down her AC to 78 when I came over and that is what I set my AC out when I’m going to be out for the day – it’s always set at 71 when I’m home!
That is definitely grounds for divorce! We set ours at 75 during the day (but sometimes I sneak it down another couple of notches.) I would be suffocating at 83/84!