By K.J. Schricker
Reporter, Carbon County Comet
Polar Vortex was the buzzword all over the media in the winter of 2013/14. Winter records for cold and snowfall were being broken all across the Northern Hemisphere. My wife and I were curled up under a blanket watching a man’s friends drop him off in the Lapland of Finland with a woolen Santa Claus costume and an enormously long, matching hat. It was at this time that my wife decided to ask me if I could give her any ideas for a Christmas present.
I looked at the man post-holing through knee-deep snow and said, “That hat looks perfect. I like that hat.” I said, gesturing to the guy on TV as she got up to pour cocktails. She asked me a few questions about it and I replied “Wool would be nice but I know you are allergic.” And we went back to watching TV.
Christmas was upon us and our family gathered around. We were opening presents and my wife loved her jewelry. The kids were playing with their new toys and then my last gift came out. My wife handed it to me with a chuckle and then turned to laugh.
I started opening the wrapping. I opened the box and pulled out the tissue paper. I finally got to my gift. I started pulling it out... and pulling ... and pulling... and ... pulling. I found four feet of sewn poly fleece. My face lit up and I exclaimed, “It’s perfect,” as I pulled another four feet out of the box for a total of eight feet I exclaimed “And I was worried it wouldn’t be long enough.”
“I made it this long as a joke,” my wife replied as she came up and hugged me.
I wrapped it around myself to more thoroughly inspect it. I put the open end on my head and wrapped the tail around my head and shoulders a full four times. A little adjusting and I could feel my temperature rising immediately.
This hat was so warm that walks with my Corgi, Leela Bunny Von Wigglesworth, and nephew, Alex, became a joy. So much so that the dog began telling me to go inside by charging me and headbutting me in the lower midsection, usually knocking me into the snow. She would give me her corgi grin while my nephew would laugh uncontrollably.
It is amazing how a little bit of material, stitching and a loving joke can bring so much joy to the holiday season.
Have a Merry Christmas and may you find some fun this holiday.
