Wind Chill Zero

It was not a good day to be out in the wind. We were having furious gusts with the wind chill below zero. Old Man Winter returned with a vengeance after a record warm spell. Alas, no snow for us. I stayed up all night drinking coffee, smoking Marlboro lights, and watching the weather radar in vain. I was so excited! The temperature is hovering around 37 degrees here. Too warm for winter weather.

This morning I walked down to the rail yard in my warmest clothes. Before we got a divorce, Rachel bought some L.L. Bean flannel lined blue jeans for me. They came in handy today, keeping my legs toasty warm. They were a little tight in the waist though reminding me to get back to drinking diet cola.

I have been very interested in all the activity going on in the rail yard. The prosperous reemergence of the railroads intrigues me. Far gone are the days when railroads were struggling in the 70's and 80's. I have even seen a prominent local railroad advertising on TV lately. That is a good sign they are doing well. I want to see them prosper and thrive. I would also love to see a return in rail passenger traffic. You used to could catch a train in downtown West Point and travel all across this country. Now you have to drive to Atlanta to catch Amtrack -- not the most romantic of options compared to the grand passenger trains before my time.

The cold had chased all the shopping center groupies inside. Only this stalwart soul remained as I sat on a bench with my hands thrust in my warm coat pockets. My cigarillos were particularly enjoyable on this cold day as I sat nursing a piping hot cup of coffee from my thermos. I finally had enough of the cold and had grown lonely so I walked home to watch the weather from the comfort of my very warm house. I could get used to this central heating and air.