Family Tree by Signe Wilkinson for February 02, 2025

Who’ll be the the first to glue it in place?

Why not call a truce and tune the thermostat to 65? Or would that make too much sense?

Do a half hour of aerobics and you’ll be warm for hours. (One indoor form is bouncing on a rebounder. I swing light weights while I do that… and I’ll be 80 in march.) You’ll also increase your muscle tone, which will put you in a good mood. You’ll find out that feeling good is not a passive experience. Because you feel so good you’ll be happier and more fun to be around, which means more popular, and you’ll get better grades with less effort. Yes, I speak from experience. Back in high school I was running 5 miles a day.

Put on a pair of sweatpants and a sweater. And if you need them, longjohns, wool socks and a long sleeve t-shirt.

When my sister was little she knew how to operate the thermostat but didn’t understand how it worked. She’d set it to max thinking it would warm the house faster.

Yes, that pattern does seem to hold true. My comfort range is about 75 to 100, though I’m ok down to 65 and up to 110. I’ve become better at lower temps here as long as I’m wearing at least two full layers. Actually walked from one building to another, about 100 yards, without a coat the other day in 45 degree weather, but it was sunny and I was wearing thermals, wool socks, a flannel shirt and heavy cotton pants, a heavy vest and a wool flat cap. I’m becoming a native….