It’s supposed to be record breaking lows this week, here in MN. “Worst in over 20 years!”, they say. I remember that. 1997. I had 3 babies and was home bound recovering from a spiral fracture of my right ankle. -40 with wind chills at -70. We lived in the South Minneapolis hood and it was late in the evening. Kids had been kept home from school as it wasn’t safe for them to be waiting for their school buses. But I watched a group of 3-4 kids playing football down the street through my window, and I worried. They were bundled up and having fun. 10 minutes grew to 20, and then to 30. I called 911. Me: “This isn’t exactly an emergency but can you send an officer over? There are kids playing out in the street and they’ve been out there for half an hour and need to go in. I would tell them myself but I have a broken leg.” 911: “What are they doing wrong?” Me: “Nothing. But it’s too cold for them to be out this long. It’s -70 windchill!” 911: “Oh. Ok”. The officer showed up right away (no doubt a slow night). I was so relieved when they went in. Keep an eye on your neighbors, folks.
i don't like to wear clothing in the house. i have the heat on (not terribly high but to a reasonable temperature. and i am wearing a nightgown at this very moment. yes, i am embarrassed to confess, i am actually NOT naked. it's so unlike me. but i am in the twin cities area myself and it's COLD. cold, i tell you. cold. if the across-the-street neighbors would stop blocking our driveway with their cars, maybe the snow plough could clear our driveway and we wouldn't fall down so much.
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