It's The Winter Doldrums Poll!

[Plaid Adder]

In case it might cheer anybody up after yesterday's grimness, I bring you

THE WINTER DOLDRUMS UP-CHEERING POLL

I. WHEN IT ISN'T WINTER

1. What's your favorite thing to do outdoors when it's sunny and warm?

2. If you garden, what are you planning to plant this spring?

3. How hot does it usually get in the summer where you live? (Specify celsius or fahrenheit)

4. Does it get hotter in the summer than it used to get, where you live?

5. Is that because of global warming, you think?

6. No! Wait! Don't answer that! That's depressing! All right, move along, nothing to see here, next section.

II. EVEN WHEN IT IS WINTER

1. Name one book that can always make you feel better.

2. Name one film or TV show that you watch to get that warm fuzzy feeling.

3. What's your favorite hot beverage? Give recipe if appropriate.

4. What do you make when you really need comfort food? Give recipe if appropriate.

5. Wow, how many calories from fat and sugar do you figure that recipe has?

6. Shit! Dammit! OK, forget I asked. Just keep going...

III. WINTER DOESN'T HAVE TO SUCK, REALLY

1. Describe one fun thing that you used to do with snow when you were a kid.

2. Describe one fun thing that you still sometimes do with snow.

3. If it doesn't snow where you live, do you wish it would snow, or are you real glad it doesn't?

4. When was the last time you had a 'snow day' (i.e., got to stay home from work or school with no repercussions because the roads were impassable)? Describe.

5. Why is it that when they plow the roads they always dump a huge pile of rocklike detritus into the mouth of your driveway so you then have to throw your back out re-shoveling it?

6. Aw, crap. Sorry. Never mind, on we go.

IV. HEARTWARMING

1. What's your favorite thing to do when you're stuck indoors because it's friggin' cold out?

2. Which of your friends or family does the best job of cheering you up when you're down and blue because the sun hasn't been seen in your neighborhood since October? How do they do it?

3. Describe something nice that someone recently did for you that make you feel warm and cozy despite the murderous knifelike winds whistling down upon you direct from whatever pole you're closest to.

4. Say something that you think will cheer up at least one other member of DU, despite the icy grip of frost in which s/he is wrapt.

5. God DAMN, it's cold! Why does it have to be this cold? Why? Why? Don't give me that bullshit about the earth being tilted on its axis! Why does it have to be tilted like that? Why?

6. I beg your pardon. Please excuse my momentary weakness. Now you know why there's never a rule six.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[tigereye]

1. summer/winter

WHEN IT ISN'T WINTER

1.swimmming
2. Plant more vines
3.85 F
4.depends on the year, last two years were quite cool and not as humid
5. maybe

II. EVEN WHEN IT IS WINTER

1. Tony Hillerman mysteries
2. Gilmore Girls/ Harold and Maude
3. mulled wine or cider/hot chocolate
4. cous cous or pasta with basil pesto
5. 1-2 tsp of olive oil for each? No sugar

III. WINTER DOESN'T HAVE TO SUCK, REALLY

1. Sledding, snow forts
2. snow- shoeing
3. I live in the Northeast, it always snows some.
4. Last year. But there hasn't been a big pile-up of snow for quite a while. Mostly lots of 2 hour school delays for my kid.
5. That's what they do.

IV. HEARTWARMING

1. blanket, good book and hot soup.
2. My son always cheers me up with his unique perspective on things.
3. My son enjoying sledding on MLK Day despite the wind and cold.
4. Don't curse the weather. Get out there and make so snow angels... or have a snowball fight. GEt your blood moving and you will fell better!
5. God made it that way. Or Copernicus. ;)

that was fun. Thanks PA.