Being from Pennsylvania and knowing what it actually means to be cold, I find Houston winters quite comical. First of all, when the temperatures drop to the low 40's, the local news channels make that there number one story. There could be terrorist attacks and global warming threats around the world, but those stories don't stand up against the temperature being in the low 40's. When the temperatures reach the low 30's or it snows ever so slightly, Houston is declared a disaster area, schools are shut down, and the news channels suggest that no one should leave their home, hoping that the government will fly in the national guard to rescue us and make their news stories better.
When I was walking through Walmart on a cold Saturday morning, I realized something else that makes Houston winters unique. People, especially the ladies, are wearing these at least $200.00 winter coats. Seriously, why do they spend that much money on a winter coat? They will only wear it about 5 times during the winter months. I still have my coat from college, and I refuse to buy a new one. Oh, and what's even more hilarious is the girls who wear those Eskimo boots. What's up with that? There's no snow. There's no mud either. Houston is all cement. Plus they wear them with skirts, which also makes no rational sense. I figure that winter here just gives ladies the opportunity to change their wardrobe.
How I miss Pennsylvania. Where the people understand winter. Where school doesn't get canceled unless the buses don't start because the temperature is 10 below zero. Where the ladies wear their bright orange hunting coats to school because that is the warmest coat they have. Where true beauty is the soft white snow covering the ground, not the expensive clothes that are bought for the winter months.
