Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The Dedication With Which One Plies Their Trade

At the time that I am writing this it is -11 degrees Fahrenheit. For those of you who do not live in a climate that regularly reaches this temperature, it is damn cold. I could take a cup of water outside and throw it straight in the air and not get wet. It will freeze before it hits me.

This is frost bite weather. You don't want to risk injury in this cold.

Even without the risk to skin the air is another matter. When I shoveled my driveway this morning it took me about 20 minutes to fully catch my breath. To put this in perspective, I regularly run on an elliptical machine between 20 and 60 minutes. I'd like to think that I'm in fairly good cardiovascular shape. However the cold dry air causes my lungs to reel as though I'm suffering an asthma attack.

I admire the determination of those who head outside in this weather. My proximity to the door allows me an opportunity to admire a group of determined folks who are not going to let a little bit of subzero weather stop them.

These folks are the smokers. Wow, I wish I could dedicate myself to a constructive activity the way they are dedicating themselves to theirs.

I don't smoke anymore, but when I did I would have gone out in this type of weather to put down a heater. I can't imagine doing that now that I do not smoke anymore. It's odd how a little time between being afflicted with an addiction and being free can change one's perspective.

1 comment:

Brian Vaughn said...

Butch up Sally it's not that cold out.