The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Freezy Weather, A Good Time For Soup, Hot Cocoa and a Fire

by Dessa Rodeffer, Publisher/Owner

19 February 2003

Stuck at home are you? Well, that's not so bad. It's a good excuse for a little family togetherness.

Damp, cold weather is just the time to stay inside and try to stay dry. Of course farmers with livestock do not have the luxury of staying out of the cold.

In fact, I think I heard something from my husband about a long day with frozen gates, and cleaning out drives after our big snow storm this past weekend.

This makes it all the better to have some chicken noodle, chili, or potato and vegetable soup brewing.

Or maybe after a hot meal, have cocoa by the fire as you snuggle in the pillows and warm throws on the sofa.

I read once where getting out in the cool air is actually good for a person, and being confined in a building can breed germs. It said that sailors seldom get colds though often out in the worst storms and winds.

I guess rather than staying inside, it is more important to keep our hands washed with hot water and a disinfectant and to keep away from sneezy individuals if you don't want to catch what they have.

Extra Vitamin C is suppose to be helpful, too, but, I think drinking your juices and water, and getting extra sleep so your resistance isn't low may also be a key.

If you want to have a little family fun at home, turn off the TV and try a challenging puzzle, or a game together.

I hear Twister is a good exercise game that brings laughs.

Since it is Washington's birthday, you could ask trivia questions about our first president, or about Lincoln and any of our other presidents.

I have some card games that have questions about the United States as well as our presidents which I purchased below the St. Louis Arch in their museum/gift shop.

Besides the treadmill or exercise machines, there are darts, ping pong, and pool, to keep your mind off of - the mid-winter blues.

Telling stories is another thing of the past that I thought sounded fun as I watched "Out Of Africa." Maybe you could take turns making them up or you could tell stories from your past.

Whatever you do, it must always bring you to the same conclusion- it's great to have a home in America.