Posted tagged ‘wet mittens’

“He had mittens, Minjekahwun, Magic mittens made of deer-skin; When upon his hands he wore them, He could smite the rocks asunder, He could grind them into powder”

November 30, 2015

Today is cloudy and in the 40’s which I still consider warm for this time of year. A sweatshirt is enough for me. I suppose if I were outside for a long time, I’d probably have to wear my winter jacket which sees little action most years. I do keep gloves in the car just in case, but I prefer mittens. They keep my fingers warmer. My pink ones are my favorites. They brighten even the darkest winter’s day.

When I was a kid and outside for a long stretch, the snow would stick to my wool mittens which would get so heavy with balls of snow the front would sag under the weight. It was time to go and trade. My mother kept pairs of mittens handy in case we wanted dry ones. She’d take our wet mittens, remove as much snow as she could and then put them on the radiators to dry. She also kept mittens without a mate just in case the mate appeared. If worse came to worse, we’d wear unmatched mittens. Fashion was never an issue.

Sometimes we got mittens in our stockings. My mother would buy them at church fairs where there was always a table of handmade goods. The women, always my grandmother’s age, sat behind the tables chit chatting. Every now and then one would get up to sell something or to rearrange the table. When I started buying stocking stuffers for my niece and nephews, that table was always my first stop. I swear the same old ladies were sitting behind it chatting.

Today is a day to get things done. I have a wash sitting in the hall, another load in the dryer where it’s been for a week and I have some errands to do. My larder is bare. Last night it was eggs and toast, a favorite dinner of mine, but not for two or three nights in a row. I am definitely thinking mashed potatoes and some kind of meat. Maybe I’ll go comfort food and cook meatloaf. Add peas, and that’s perfect dinner for me.

“I put my school uniform on the radiator for like 10 minutes before I get changed, it makes me warm, it’s like rocket science.”

October 14, 2013

Today is a click your heels in the air day for local sports. The Patriots won their game in the last few seconds, and the Sox came from a five run deficit to win 6-5 at the bottom of the ninth. It was late, around 11:30, when the winning run crossed the plate, and I wanted to celebrate so I called my friend. He had stopped watching when the Sox were losing 5-0 and had gone bed. I woke him up with my call. I think he was sorry for giving up on the Sox. I then called Colorado, and they celebrated with me. It was David Ortiz who had hit a grand slam in dramatic fashion to tie the game. I jumped up from the couch, clapped my hands and cheered. Fenway went wild and David had to take a curtain call. Saltalamacchia’s single was the walk-off winning hit. I love October baseball when anything can happen.

The Sox left this morning for Detroit. The next game is tomorrow afternoon. Go Sox!!

My sister was born on the real Columbus Day, not the excuse of a long weekend Monday. When she was young, she thought we got the day off from school because it was her birthday. Everybody celebrated Sheila’s birthday!

Gracie has been outside all morning. The day is cool with lots of sun so she’s enjoying the yard. My house was only 61˚ when I woke up so I delayed my shower and turned on the heat. I see no reason to be cold.

I loved the sounds of the radiators in the house where I grew up. One was on the wall opposite the foot of my bed. I could hear the hiss of the steam when the heat was radiating, and I could hear the water moving through the pipes. On a really cold day, I’d get home from school and sit with my back to the radiator for as long as I could stand the heat. Some days I’d put my hands on the top of it so I could feel my fingers again. The radiator served as a dryer. We’d put our mittens on the top, and they’d steam as they dried. My wet shoes went underneath and they usually curled from the heat. It was fun walking in them the first time after the radiator treatment. It was always sort of comforting to fall asleep to the familiar sounds of the radiator.