flemmings | (no subject)

Dry sidewalks allow me to errand into previously ice-bound wastes, so I now have wine (for next door) and salt stain remover (for my boots, since it seems ammonia is no longer sold anywhere. What shall we do for smelling salts, I ask me?) Also is official: I walk into the shoe repair store (only place that sells salt remover) in my foofy rose pink hat and mauve-lavender-rose pink scarf, and am addressed as Sir by the middle-aged white Torontonian male owner. Rose pink is no longer a gender marker in this culture, which I suppose is good; coats *are* gender markers, which is enh; but coats that are not cloth (cloth is useless in winter) and tailored female (buttons, nipped waist, patch pockets if any) are read male by default. No wonder the unisex comfy middle-aged confuse so many people.

How long ago the beginning of this month seems. Winter does stretch things.

Qiu Xiaolong, When Red is Black
Barker, Tea from an Empty Cup
Ford, The Final Reflection
Pratchett, Raising Steam
Tidhar, Camera Obscura
Norton, Bonfires and Broomsticks (a skim, but a skim is all that's needed)
Taniguchi & Sekikawa, The Times of Botchan
Okorafor, The Shadow Speaker

Gave up: Light and Dark (it too long, me too busy)
The Affinity Bridge
Anne of Ingleside

Not sure how far I'm going to get with Who Fears Death. Rape scenes are not my thing.

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In many ways, really, really cold is safer and easier than slop around 0C. I always adored the -10C range. The snow squeaked when you walked on it, the snow was light and fluffy, and you could get the sidewalks clear and they'd stay clear and dry.

Oh, I agree. In January and February, yes, the -10 range is great for snow: lovely fluffy stuff that blows away by itself. But the sun at this time of year will melt it during the daytime, even at -10, and then at night it becomes glare ice waiting for the unwary walker.

Walking in 0C slop is unpleasant, but not as slippery as either glare ice or (god forbid) driving in 0C slop

Ohh yes, all true! It's been too many years since I was in a proper winter!

(envies)