Good morning! We invite
everyone to come to our produce market tomorrow, here at the Village Commons,
for the very freshest tastes around! Pathfinder Produce offers some great
deals, a great variety of fruits and veggies, and we’re convenient … we’re open
from 1 to 5 p.m. each Thursday.
In 2018, I want to adopt a
“gratitude attitude” and thank those who make our community a better place to
live and work. A hearty round of thanks goes out to all our loyal patrons
who stop by the market each week. We are so grateful for those who
support our “little market that could.”
***
Last night as I was perusing online, I learned
that this week the East Coast will be hit with a nor’easter
… there may even be snow in northern Florida! Maine is to get about a
foot of snow, experience strong winds, and the temperature is supposed to
plummet. Locally, we’ll have some gusts and maybe a few inches of snow,
but it shouldn’t be all that challenging here – thank goodness!
Of course, many of us don’t like the current
cold snap we’re having: I tend to hang out near our faithful woodstove at home,
and our aging dog, Della, is not eager to go outside too often (she’s content,
snoring by the stove). Our pond, which is very muddy and silting in, is
frozen solid … something that doesn’t occur unless it is very cold for an
extended period.
So, during cold weather, it is very important to
plan for the frigid temperatures (and possible power outages), dress
appropriately, and know how to deal with medical emergencies that can happen
with the cold. It doesn’t take long for either frostbite
or hypothermia
to set in. Dress warmly and in layers, and if you have health issues,
don’t push yourself shoveling out. PAY ATTENTION if you start feeling
numb or tingly in your fingers, face, or toes if you’ve been out a while.
Even
though it’s great to have kids play outside, make sure you monitor the wind
chill, and track how long they’ve been playing. This
article indicates that for wind chills above 32-F, it’s safe for playing
for extended periods; between 13- and 31-F you should limit time outdoors to no
more than 20 minutes (have them come in for a warm-up break). Below 13-F,
keep the kids indoors. Also, make sure the little ones don’t lose their
mittens and hats, and check their cheeks and ear lobes – any skin
that is really red or whitish in color, or hard or waxy-looking, means
frostbite maybe setting in.
I found this CNN
article recently, which includes lots of cold weather health maintenance
advice. It talks about why we are at risk for hazards during cold
weather, and focuses on lung and heart issues, circulation, and other
factors. If you care for older people, children, teens (“I don’t need a
hat, Mom”), or people who live with disabilities, make sure they are aware of
the dangers of the cold, and help them stay healthy.
Until next time, stay warm!
Lori
