It's Cold, and Cheaters Never Stall

It's cold, according to news reports.

AccuWeather trumpets its contention that this could be the worst winter in 25 years. I'm going to print it out and burn it for warmth.

It's even cold in India.

Actually, this doesn't seem all that remarkable. The past two winters have been lousy and frigid. And I have yet to get in my car and see -36 on its outdoor thermometer like I did last winter.

I usually  judge winter weather severity based on car-related tribulations. Last  year, my old Honda refused to start for the first time, ever. When it did take me to work, I found, after work, that I had a flat tire. Twice. Bitter cold and aluminum rims are a bad mix, evidently.

Know what else doesn't work in cold weather? Air compressors at convenience stores and gas stations. Found that out the hard way.

Whenever I complain to my dad about this kind of stuff, he points out that it was much tougher to get cars started and keep them running in the old days. His dad, for instance, used to carry a can of kerosene and corncobs in his old truck that he lit on fire and stuck underneath the crankcase in an effort to get it started.

Sometimes, the engine would catch fire. Don't worry, just throw some snow on it. Now that's old school.

When my dad was teaching at Crystal Lake in the late 50s, he and his friends had a running bet in the teachers' lounge over whose car would or wouldn't start in the morning. You freeze. You lose.

One guy never lost, no matter what. Then one morning my dad was driving by his place just as he walked out the door from his nice, warm house -- carrying his car battery. Clever.

Stay warm, my friends.