6 Easy Ways to Stay Warm (Without Whacking the Heater)
You felt for your (older) brother, who didn't like your neighbor's stare. He had been living in your home for nearly a year, the reasons were beyond his control. The pandemic upended everything, and the omicron variant would mean that next year could be uncertain as this year. He didn't like being seen as irresponsible, but no one in the household don't mind. In fact, you were a bit annoyed at your brother lately. You trained your (pet) Labrador to stay by your side, which should have kept you warm during the colder months. She was staying with your brother. You were cold as ice (these past days). What to do?
You tried to think less of the cold by trying to get in touch with your buddies. You might need company, but they were thinking of something else. One of them was torn between two essay titles, namely why reality TV owes black women and Herta Muller's "The Passenger". He reluctantly chose the latter, and it turned out that he chose the right one. He recommended it, as Muller, a German who grew up in Romania, described what it felt like to be a second-class citizen. Her description of the place, which she once called home, was composed of short sentences. But they were lyrical. It evoked melancholy and desperation. ("Around the pond only silent mountains. Gray mountain ranges heavy with longing for home.") Muller currently resides in Berlin, he would add. You didn't say a word. You don't like to be called a privileged teenager, yet you were ashamed to admit that you could be called one in this case.
The concept of moving around seems foreign to you. In fact, you could do it (to keep you from getting cold). You rather chat with your friends for hours, if not meander the Internet for almost the entire day. Your mother warned you about wearing eyeglasses (at a young age), so you tried to get away from the computer screen (or your mobile phone) as frequently as possible. But with little success. You promised to make it a New Year's resolution after digesting what your coursemate told you the other day.
He read Rick Riordan's "My Life as a Child Outlaw", which was set in Ireland. Riordan, who was formerly a high school teacher, didn't indicate when his short story was set. But your coursemate guessed it. He imagined the Middle Age when boats traveled from Ireland to Britain (and back). Freely. The English haven't ruled the Irish people. (The Irish could travel to Scotland without getting killed, your mate added.) The title described Finn Max Cumhaill, a ten-year-old lad who was stronger than the other boys his age, also quite exceptional in other skills. He was shunned (due to it). Your mate could relate to Finn's (boyhood) deeds. (You other coursemates didn't like his wide knowledge of mythology. One of your professors was impressed. It kept you from boredom at times.) It made you forget to wear (a pair of) socks until you felt the cold in your feet. Perhaps the carpet wasn't good enough.
You stood up, walked through the door (to your room), and explored your home. It was high time that you study it, which could give you ideas (on how to get warm). DIY? You balked at the thought, but you were lucky that a blizzard didn't blanket the neighborhood with snow. Yet.
Trapped at Home All Day? Be Simple (and Ingenious)
Steal heat. You kept on thinking about that Dutch backpacker, whom your cousin couldn't get over with. They met in Trafalgar Square. He doesn't have a way with words. And you don't want to point it out to him. You were about to change your mind (and message him) when you noticed your window. The sun was up. Curtains must be opened (to warm your room). You reminded yourself, the other day, that you would let your door open, which should allow the heat to come in. You forgot that the kitchen was quite far from your room. What were you thinking (the other day)?
Focus warmth. You were thinking of Thanksgiving, but you were distracted by an (online) argument between your two coursemates. One was pro-turkey while another one was clearly against it. You leaned to the former, as you salivated at the sight of sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top. Your other coursemate insisted that the participants of the first Thanksgiving feasted on venison, oysters, cod, ducks, and eels. You don't have a response, as you find him quite strange for his (young) age. And then you noticed your sweater. You must thank your mother (one more time.) You would think of spring, but you won't yearn for it. Yet. Waking up late has its benefits.
Avoid cold feet. Your cousin sent you a Christmas present a few years ago, and you loved it. That present turned out to be a pair of slippers he bought from Luang Prabang, a small community located in the mountainous terrain of Laos. He forgot to ask the locals about the gray-colored, wooly material, which was thick (to keep your feet warm). A pair of green-colored elephants marked the top, a sign of good luck (in Buddhist culture). You asked your parents about another carpet, but your mother rather saved the money for rainy days.
Eat (and drink) yourself warm. You would attempt to avoid harder-to-digest foods, as there would be nothing much more warming than a cup of tea. Hot chocolate (with marshmallow) later. And then hot soup.
Embrace blanket. You would need a layer between you and the (cold) environment, but you were thinking of adding one more.
Layer up. You weren't wearing enough clothes, so you decided to put on another pair of socks. You wore fingerless gloves (while listening to a recorded lecture). Your brother asked your parents if most of the heat would get lost through your head. You pretended not to hear it, as his question was an old wives' tale. It was your tutor who told you that people with a lot of hair would benefit less. So you noticed the hat he often wore.
Get to Know Your Central Heating System
Your father was quite surprised at your inquiries about your boiler and thermostat. On the other hand, he didn't seem to be pleased with your question on draught-proofing windows and doors. This was one step to becoming responsible, but you wanted to ask him about a Labrador puppy. Perhaps your three-year-old pet would need a little brother (or sister).
