You win! I moved to Germany from Kentucky over 30 years ago, bringing a good Sunday coat and not much else, and I now have a similar to yours collection of coats, also walking the dogwear. I think the Wisconsin winter requires more heavy duty gear than I need here “on the west coast “, outside of Cologne. Wishing you a couple more fire days.
Sounds about right for here in the Hudson Valley as well...I thought I was brave to put away the corduroy pants...haven't touched the coats on the coat rack yet. We are getting snow overnight tonight so I get the old thoroughbred rescue gets her blanket back on but the hafliger/quarter horse lovingly referred to as "Pudgy Pony" will be alright.
Robyn - I used to have a pair of black wide-whale corduroy pants that looked like VELVET and wore like iron. They were the WARMEST pants EVER! After years of wear I gave them to a charity shop. I could kick myself for doing that because you can’t find well-tailored (tall) soft corduroy pants anywhere. I wish I had them back.
Living in this climate - please rethink items like this that keep you warm and look good before chucking them. You’ll be sorry.
Didn't chuck them packed them away till next year. Lands End has great corduroy pants, I even have some unopened ones because I am afraid they will discontinue them...they are safe till FAll!
It sounds like you need to build a small closet addition to your house. One that would hold enough closets to accommodate all your jackets and coats and sweaters and hats and gloves, etc. And, of course, a separate closet for the lad’s bespoke attire. That would free up the other two closets for all your guest’s accoutrements when they visit and any sweepers and brooms, mops, etc. that might be needed. Problem solved!! You’re welcome. ☺️
You do win, but even down here in Chicago I have a similar array. I remember snow on someone's First Communion, so it was early May. Nothing gets put away until after then.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Absolutely no putting-away of winter clothes until May (and I'm only in northern Ohio:)
I have a photograph that I keep handy (I wish I could upload here). It's dated April 24, 2005 and it is a picture of my three young children making snowmen and igloos in the 4-6 inch snowstorm. Note, again, the date.
Then, I have a picture of the next day, April 25, 2005, of my husband in shorts and a t-shirt, sweating in the sun, mowing around the remains of the snowman - a ballcap-sized, pathetic little mound of snow.
Four or five years ago, we were camping (northeast Ohio) on the last weekend in April, and we left the campground in a snowstorm. On the way out, we stopped at the park's lodge for brunch and sat there by the picture window, watching the huge snowflakes drift down into the lake.
Yes, NE Ohio is notorious for those extremes of weather drama. Especially on the east end of Lake Erie, where within a mile you can encounter eye-opening shifts. Some of that should be blamed on the "Buffalo Effect." Thank goodness I'm not up there, but in more "boring" central Ohio.
When it comes to the Snow Belt, quite literally, within a few hundred yards of a county line, it can go from a ground covered in snow to completely bare. In the wine country around Grand River, you can drive from a heavy snowstorm into blue skies in ten minutes' time. It's almost uncanny.
I can relate to this! My husband and I live in the Wausau WI area and have a whole room devoted to coats! Each one is specific to a somewhat narrow range of temperature, precipitation, and wind conditions. Every once in a while I attempt to weed out this seemingly ridiculous collection but find an excuse to keep every single one.
I have a coat closet with too many coats in it and I live in Arkansas. We all adapt to our weather. I have a question. Maybe you can help me. I wanted to get a paid subscription to your Substack, but when I click on manage subscription, it says I can’t do it on the app. No further instructions. Thanks.
I also have 2 dogs. One charges to the door when any food-related word is mentioned. The other will sit in the middle of the yard, staring into the distance until she decides we’ve admired her drama adequately and then she will quickly come in. Such characters!
Those staring dramas are not restricted to dogs. My black cat used to do that and it was infuriating when I needed her to come quickly. Trance? Or mere obstinance? Just like a 3 year old child...
For a minute there I thought you were describing Pennsylvania. I have a friend originally from PA who moved to Hawaii twenty-five+ years ago. Whenever she comes back for a visit she always remarks on how much stuff we all have in our homes (seasonal necessities). She has breathing room around each hanger in her closet. Breathing room for the clothes hanging in my closets is a pipedream. Even in summer I often start the day with a t-shirt-weight hoodie and socks, then by the end the day I'm in a loose fitting tank tap and flip flops. The other seasons require more robust layering tactics. Three to four layers of clothes in winter is about the norm. All this to say, I feel your pain.
All I will say is April 19, 2018, we received eight inches of snow in Washington County WI. ❄️
We created a shelf in the garage for our snow blowing boots so they never even have to come in the house. There are 3 of us here and we fill a pretty good sized coat closet with our various coat, hat and glove selections. And all of it gets used!
I have told newcomers to Wisconsin that they should pick out a 4th of July hooded sweatshirt for watching fireworks at the Lake and they think I am joking. Nope!
Eli and Auggie, you two are the motivation I needed this morning. What fun for you, Mom and Dad. J. F., I’m smiling reading about the range of apparel required for Wisconsin weather. Your family is prepared for it all!
Ha, a great reflection on what it's like living in a place where the weather varies from -20s to the +100s *and* one has to spend time outside walking. I'm not quite as well-equipped as y'all, but I do have a selection of coats!
May 10, 1990. The infamous Wisconsin Mother’s Day Snow Storm. We got 12”. I will forever use that as an excuse to be lazy about outerwear, footwear, hats, and gloves. One must always be prepared in this state🙂
I run the snowblowers out of gas on Memorial Day.
That’s probably safe.
You win! I moved to Germany from Kentucky over 30 years ago, bringing a good Sunday coat and not much else, and I now have a similar to yours collection of coats, also walking the dogwear. I think the Wisconsin winter requires more heavy duty gear than I need here “on the west coast “, outside of Cologne. Wishing you a couple more fire days.
It’s the walking in all weather that’s the kicker, I guess.
Sounds about right for here in the Hudson Valley as well...I thought I was brave to put away the corduroy pants...haven't touched the coats on the coat rack yet. We are getting snow overnight tonight so I get the old thoroughbred rescue gets her blanket back on but the hafliger/quarter horse lovingly referred to as "Pudgy Pony" will be alright.
Kisses to your equine friends.
Robyn - I used to have a pair of black wide-whale corduroy pants that looked like VELVET and wore like iron. They were the WARMEST pants EVER! After years of wear I gave them to a charity shop. I could kick myself for doing that because you can’t find well-tailored (tall) soft corduroy pants anywhere. I wish I had them back.
Living in this climate - please rethink items like this that keep you warm and look good before chucking them. You’ll be sorry.
You’re so right. Corduroy is almost impossible to find.
Didn't chuck them packed them away till next year. Lands End has great corduroy pants, I even have some unopened ones because I am afraid they will discontinue them...they are safe till FAll!
T
It sounds like you need to build a small closet addition to your house. One that would hold enough closets to accommodate all your jackets and coats and sweaters and hats and gloves, etc. And, of course, a separate closet for the lad’s bespoke attire. That would free up the other two closets for all your guest’s accoutrements when they visit and any sweepers and brooms, mops, etc. that might be needed. Problem solved!! You’re welcome. ☺️
I’ll get right on it.
🤣🤣🤣 If you need any help…….
You do win, but even down here in Chicago I have a similar array. I remember snow on someone's First Communion, so it was early May. Nothing gets put away until after then.
Yes! My birthday is May 11th, and there's been snow on the ground here in Cleveland/NEO on my birthday.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Absolutely no putting-away of winter clothes until May (and I'm only in northern Ohio:)
I have a photograph that I keep handy (I wish I could upload here). It's dated April 24, 2005 and it is a picture of my three young children making snowmen and igloos in the 4-6 inch snowstorm. Note, again, the date.
Then, I have a picture of the next day, April 25, 2005, of my husband in shorts and a t-shirt, sweating in the sun, mowing around the remains of the snowman - a ballcap-sized, pathetic little mound of snow.
Then you know whereof I speak.
Four or five years ago, we were camping (northeast Ohio) on the last weekend in April, and we left the campground in a snowstorm. On the way out, we stopped at the park's lodge for brunch and sat there by the picture window, watching the huge snowflakes drift down into the lake.
Yes, NE Ohio is notorious for those extremes of weather drama. Especially on the east end of Lake Erie, where within a mile you can encounter eye-opening shifts. Some of that should be blamed on the "Buffalo Effect." Thank goodness I'm not up there, but in more "boring" central Ohio.
When it comes to the Snow Belt, quite literally, within a few hundred yards of a county line, it can go from a ground covered in snow to completely bare. In the wine country around Grand River, you can drive from a heavy snowstorm into blue skies in ten minutes' time. It's almost uncanny.
That's what my friends tell me!
I can relate to this! My husband and I live in the Wausau WI area and have a whole room devoted to coats! Each one is specific to a somewhat narrow range of temperature, precipitation, and wind conditions. Every once in a while I attempt to weed out this seemingly ridiculous collection but find an excuse to keep every single one.
When you need it, you need it.
I have a coat closet with too many coats in it and I live in Arkansas. We all adapt to our weather. I have a question. Maybe you can help me. I wanted to get a paid subscription to your Substack, but when I click on manage subscription, it says I can’t do it on the app. No further instructions. Thanks.
Maybe use your computer and try the website?
I was able to get it done. Thanks! Have a great Sunday.
Thank you! Pick any one of my novels and I will send you an autographed copy.
Share the same coat conundrum!
I also have 2 dogs. One charges to the door when any food-related word is mentioned. The other will sit in the middle of the yard, staring into the distance until she decides we’ve admired her drama adequately and then she will quickly come in. Such characters!
“…until she decides we’ve admired her drama adequately..”
I am laughing out loud. Please give both of the furs an extra treat, from us. They’re perfect! 😍
Our elderly beagle has always done the same staring thing, always facing northwest. We call it his "beagling" sessions.
Those staring dramas are not restricted to dogs. My black cat used to do that and it was infuriating when I needed her to come quickly. Trance? Or mere obstinance? Just like a 3 year old child...
For a minute there I thought you were describing Pennsylvania. I have a friend originally from PA who moved to Hawaii twenty-five+ years ago. Whenever she comes back for a visit she always remarks on how much stuff we all have in our homes (seasonal necessities). She has breathing room around each hanger in her closet. Breathing room for the clothes hanging in my closets is a pipedream. Even in summer I often start the day with a t-shirt-weight hoodie and socks, then by the end the day I'm in a loose fitting tank tap and flip flops. The other seasons require more robust layering tactics. Three to four layers of clothes in winter is about the norm. All this to say, I feel your pain.
All I will say is April 19, 2018, we received eight inches of snow in Washington County WI. ❄️
We created a shelf in the garage for our snow blowing boots so they never even have to come in the house. There are 3 of us here and we fill a pretty good sized coat closet with our various coat, hat and glove selections. And all of it gets used!
Our garage is so far away from the house (see today’s video. That’s the garage in the background) that I can’t use it for practical things as you do.
I have told newcomers to Wisconsin that they should pick out a 4th of July hooded sweatshirt for watching fireworks at the Lake and they think I am joking. Nope!
Nope!
Eli and Auggie, you two are the motivation I needed this morning. What fun for you, Mom and Dad. J. F., I’m smiling reading about the range of apparel required for Wisconsin weather. Your family is prepared for it all!
Ha, a great reflection on what it's like living in a place where the weather varies from -20s to the +100s *and* one has to spend time outside walking. I'm not quite as well-equipped as y'all, but I do have a selection of coats!
May 10, 1990. The infamous Wisconsin Mother’s Day Snow Storm. We got 12”. I will forever use that as an excuse to be lazy about outerwear, footwear, hats, and gloves. One must always be prepared in this state🙂
I remember!
I lost a big tree in that storm. It grieved me.
We lost the whole top of our huge white pine. It reminds me every time I look up.
I empathize completely.