Yes, that so-called cold front that was supposed to land in North Texas today was pretty lame. Needless to say, there was no need to pull out that yummy Brunello Cucinelli opera cashmere floral crochet embroidered knit sweater, pinon wood, Veronica Beard’s Bria puffer vests or that Burberry men’s wool giant check hooded scarf. Still, most folks were pleased as a frog at a princess convention to have highs in the 70s as they took their pooches out for walks around the block and started supervising the installation of holiday decorations at their homes.
Next week another front is due that is to result with the highs in the 60s and 5os. Hmm, looks like the drumbeat to the colder days of winter. So, while the good times and temperatures abound, why not hustle to take advantage of the good times and start preparing for the chilly days ahead with a seasonal checklist the includes:
- having the HVAC checked. Sure, that air conditioning system has been just fine and dandy over the past months, but furnace needs a little love and attention if it’s going to warm your heart and the rest of your household.
- replacing the smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries that were supposed to be checked when Daylight Saving Times ended. It’s not too late to do it now.
- calf-roping a chimney sweep to clean the fireplace chimney that will be filled with smoke and ashes. While you’re at it, ask the chimney sweep if they can clean out the lint build-up in the clothes dryer and exhaust duct. Experts claim it should cleaned out thoroughly at least twice a year. Goodness!
- inspecting windows and doors for those dang leaks that result in ca-ching in bills and add a chill to the household.
- walking “the estate” to review those covers for the outdoor faucets. Word to the wise: better hightail it to the local hardware store because they become a hot item once the freezing temperatures come. And while you’re at it, think about stowing those garden hoses.
- bidding a fond farewell to those cute shorts and sundresses and send them packing into the back of the closet or better yet into storage. Welcome back your winter fashions and check them over in case they need some alterations after your Ozempic love fest … or a visit to the cleaners.
- feeling healthy except for a seasonal allergy, remember that colds, the flu and COVID seem to thrive during the winter months. Why not stock up now on tissues, cold remedies, etc.? And that put-away vaporizer might need to be resurrected, cleaned out and/or replaced by a new one.
- asking your book club and/or mahjong cohorts for a recipe exchange. You just might be surprised at what these pals have in their collections.
- having your trees trimmed pronto. You seriously don’t want your mighty oak’s loss of a limb due to ice to result in taking down your neighborhood’s electricity and internet.
- creating a game plan for family and friends to visit such showplaces as the Dallas Arboretum, Turtle Creek Park, NorthPark, Highland Park Village, the Galleria, Dallas Zoo and Klyde Warren Park.
Let’s just take on the winter with calm, comfort and cocoa.
* Photo credit: Skeeter Hagler