Today with the wind

It was about -8 today, but with the wind chill, more like -12. After work I walked downtown (20 minutes) to pick up a package at the postal outlet (the only one in town apart from the post office). I passed several people drunk or under the influence of something, wandering around in the cold. One woman didn't have a hat or gloves. I considered handing her my scarf from under my hood. I watch them carefully from the distance, don't engage in conversation unless someone's lying on the ground. I'm trying not to judge their state - I know what it's like to need something to blot out pain or fear - but we're just ships passing in the nite.

It's always interesting, walking in this town, since most people have cars/trucks/vans & especially in winter wouldn't consider walking anywhere. I don't drive (& have never been interested in learning) so unless I take a cab or one of the few buses in town - I'm OK walking. It's part of the pathetic amount of exercise I get!

Anyway, back to the wind. At one point it was coming towards me, then, 2 blocks later, it's coming from my right. Actually it can be blowing like crazy on one side of my apartment building & totally calm in the back. My window faces the parking lot - south.

We have our winter snow already (it fell last Wednesday) & the lake nearby is freezing. Sunday I went shopping with a friend & as we drove by & I saw a man walking on the ice. I didn't think that was a great idea this early in the season.