Let's talk covid winter planning

[flexagon]

Here's a topic that's been coming up among my co-workers, here and in my discussion circles: winter is coming. Seriously though. Here in the Northeast that means months of cold and dark, in which the outdoors will be passable but far less inviting than it has been for the last span of the pandemic. People who count on outdoor exercise will suffer, as will everyone who was doing backyard hangouts, and there won't be the parties and gatherings we often have in the holiday season as a counterpoint. Covid is ticking up again, not down, where I live, and people forced indoors in drier air might not be a good scene in that regard.

So I've been asking people what their plan is... I know of folks buying electric blankets and fire pits and heated seats in an attempt to extend backyard-sitting season. norwoodbridge is one of these, and recently got a startlingly sleek-looking "fire pit" that looks like a coffee table.

For myself: I recently made repeating every-four-weeks plans with two different friends (apfelsingail and coraline) so that I can basically make ONE plan and have a bit of human contact all winter if it keeps working for everyone. I have another friend with whom I take a walk every two weeks, I see Norwood every two weeks (these alternate), and there's a monthly discussion circle that I attend every other time or so. This might shrink my social circle, but the exchange is that it's easy. This might be a good winter for "easy".

What's your plan, so far?

Comments

[jadia]

Gonna get a propane fire pit. And 4 big planters, gravel, and poles to hang string lights from.

[wotw]

I'd failed to think about this. Now I'm shopping for a firepit. Thanks.

[elbren]

snowshoes. hoping to keep up the hiking routine.
i'm really hoping local museums are accessible through the winter - the ones around here were never crowded, and it'd be easy to meter occupancy and require masks, and if we can keep our community rates down, it'd be good to have an inside alternative from time to time.

[apfelsingail]

I don't have a great setup for a fire pit, sadly, but I would totally do a propane one with some LED fairy lights nearby. I'll throw out a plug for the Zippo reusable hand warmers- those things are great to tuck in your pockets. I never go to a fall burn without one. Or hell, the dog park in January.

Having just said I don't have a good firepit setup... I'm trying to find someone in the area with an earthen oven. Because I want to try making bread in one, once. But I might need to make one if I can't find one. It's the logical next step after making a lot of bread and a lot of yogurt this year.

I'm stocking up on plans and projects. Online book club with some burner ladies. Talking to this cool friend up in Boston once a month. :) Ordered yarn to make my first sweater. I picked up a beater bike so I can get outside and get cardio into early winter and as soon as it starts to warm up. (Side note, per yesterday's adventure: 13 miles is a bit of a trek for your first time out in 3 years). I recently started doing a BYO conditioning thing once a week with a couple of friends. It's kind of insane. Also exploring YouTube pilates videos. I think exercise and sunshine will be pretty essential for staying sane.

[triesticity]

I'm not really making plans but I figure whatever winter is, it will (I hope) feel better than mid-March through April of this year, when we did not go outside at all and I was pretty anxious. I did buy bubble bath and candles a while ago, so am ready for evening relaxing. And I started my daily stretching again recently and will probably continue that. We're trying to get in our outdoor socializing while the weather is still nice, and probably will switch back to Zoom socializing at some point, though C has been having Zoom-fatigue in a way that I haven't really.

Now that mask-wearing is more prevalent in NYC I'm far more comfortable going on walks than I was in the spring, though yeah, we have some neighborhoods here (though not in Manhattan at the moment) where numbers are rising alarmingly. I'm happy bundling up for cold weather walks and figure it might be less crowded on the greenway by the river when it's colder. I will miss kayaking though!