Surviving a Minnesota January Morning

Flash-Frozen Fiction

Photo by Vadim Fomenok on Unsplash

Janie put on her fleece Cuddle Duds — top and bottom. Then heavy jeans in a size larger than she’d usually wear to accommodate the fleece, wool socks, a long-sleeved shirt, and a flannel shirt over that.

Looking feminine was not a priority today.

She sipped her coffee while watching the weather forecast. On the evening news last night, Ian Leonard had said today was supposed to be cold. -23 before wind chills certainly lived up to that description.

She dreaded this commute. She knew as soon as she started breathing her windows would start icing up on the inside. If she sang to the radio, the process would be even faster. She would have to choose between her feet freezing while running the windshield defroster or being able to walk when she arrived an hour later.

But Janie stood, stretched, pulled her big girl panties up, rinsed her cup, and decided she could put it off no longer.

She donned her heavy boots, scarf, parka, hat, and gloves. She turned to grab her purse, thought better of it, and turned back around to put on one more scarf.

She stepped out into the bright morning and thought, “This isn’t that too bad. I’m bundled up enough.”

Janie smiled to herself. She took in a nice breath of fresh air.

Suddenly, her eyes widened as she realized her nostrils had frozen shut.