1 It's the New Ice Age!

2 Wait...I thought it was all Global Warming's fault?? was I wrong?

3 Whatever it is, I just can't stand it. I've taken to sleeping in PJs and wearing shoes outside.

4 Stop! You're making me cry!

5 Whinner,.... come visit me in MT in a couple of months. You ain't lived till you spit on a railing and hear it shatter. Every car has a little plug in the front so that you can keep it warm to start it. And we carry a jacket in the car in July and August just in case. I lied about that last one, ... we never take the jacket out of the car. Rogers pass (just outside of town) I believe holds the record for the lower 48 of having not only the fastest temperature drop but also the lowest temperature. My memory is a little rusty but I believe it was 50F to -57F in an hour or so. But hey, it's fun cuddling under the electric blanket, sheet, regular blanket and comforter.

6 So are you telling me that you have to be careful about when you work on your tan? * * * Okay, seriously: the cars have electrical cords coming out of them? There is some kind of ancillary heating system? This sounds fascinating--Attila the Hub is from Chicago, and he's never mentioned this technology. Is it relatively new (past 20 years), or is it peculiar to the Rockies? Cool idea.

7 It's old technology--little things like electric engine block heaters. battery warming trays, and oil pan heaters(via the dipstick). You could get them as options on cars(or via the aftermarket) as far back as the 50's, at least. Chicagoans prefer to tough it out. Or rely on the fact that they will see someone in a second or two and get help, rather than being stuck in the middle of nowhere until they freeze like a Popsicle. We also use our lawn furniture year round by employing it as a place holder after we clear a parking space in front of our homes. It saves on shotgun shells or pulling out the water hose to freeze them in, but losing our space until the thaw...

8 Attila the Hub and k had told me about the lawn chairs. And I do know about the people who roam around and pull your car out of snowdrifts, for a small price. I wish I could visualize where these cords come out of the cars; for some reason that fascinates me.

9 They usually dangle out the front grille somewhere, or hang just below the front bumper. Woe be to the one who forgets to plug in the car on a 30 below night: "Bowr..rowr...click click click..."

10 I'm still driving the van I moved out here with ten years ago, and it still has a radiator hose heater. Funny how many mechanics down here have no idea what it is.

11 Did I also mention jumper cables? It's the best way to meet people in the winter. You get them on the oweing end right from the start. Tow rope is a close second.

12 Meet people? I thought that was why one took screenplay-writing workshops. No?