Mabry Mill – January 2008
This morning when I got up, it was a brisk 25 degrees. Sure, this is not Michigan cold, or perhaps upstate New York cold, but cold nonetheless. I needed to make a quick run to the grocery store because I was out of oatmeal and the day is just not right without a quick bowl of oats. 
I went to the garage, let the door up, started the car and headed to the store. As I drove, I noticed many of my neighbors getting ready to go to work, scraping frost off of their car windows. Instantly, I was appreciative of having a garage. Why? Well, as I think of it, I’ve never been able to park in the garage, even when we had a 2 car. You see, the ex always parked her van in the garage and the other side was reserved for Tony’s and Pedro’s stuff. You know, all kinds of sports equipment as well as lawnmower and yard care items. My car was always relegated to the driveway. When I moved, I went to an apartment and a parking lot. If it was raining or cold enough to have frost, like today, I was out in the wet and cold.
Now, I finally have my own garage. No more getting wet carrying in the groceries or spending extra time waiting for the car to warm up and the defroster to kick in. It’s nice! 
As for this photo, it was a bit colder that day than today. I can’t believe that it has been 5 years since I’ve been there! Geez!
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Paul, I lived in the Twin Cities in Minneapolis for almost one year. I swear it was winter every day.
I opted for an outside parking space at work because it was $20 cheaper per month. Yikes. I saw guys take off a hub cap, light charcoal in it and slide it under the oil pan. That was to defrost the oil enough to jump start the car.
I moved back south during my 12th month there. Brrr.
chuck boyd recently posted..700 degrees is HOT!
Oh! Now, that’s absolutely too cold! Brrr! There were days when I lived in Akron, Ohio when I remember it hitting -25 on occasion. I remember that our cars sat in the driveway and the locks would freeze. if you could get the door open, then the latch was frozen you couldn’t close it. I don’t miss those days. LOL
I’m jealous! I’ve not had a garage for the past 20 years and really wish I had one. Now that I have the newer car I definitely wish for a garage with the hope it can help sustain the life of the vehicle. And, nothing like a hot bowl of oats to start a cold morning.
Monte Stevens recently posted..Nature Teaches Patience
Monte. This is really the first time that I’ve ever had a garage. Didn’t have one growing up. Never had use of one while married. I’m in high cotton now, baby!
And, yes! That bowl of oats is a great way to start the day.
So, you’re saying I have to get divorced to get my own garage? My wife parks the Outback in the garage – my poor little Versa’s had to deal with the elements for four years now – and has never complained. Great little car!
Love the image!
John – Visual Notebook recently posted..Ghosts of the Prairie
Let me make this clear: Dear Mrs. Strong: I did not say, nor imply that John should get a divorce so that he can have is own space in the garage!
I’m sure the Versa will survive!
Nice recovery!
Monte Stevens recently posted..Nature Teaches Patience
An oats man huh? Nothing like being regular right? LOL
I lived in Connecticut back in the winter of 1989 I think it was. It got down to -13F (-25C) and the wind-chill factor on some days was -31F (-35C). We didn’t have a garage but I wasn’t keen on driving in those conditions anyway. Since then I’ve never complained about being too hot
Oh, and we ate a lot of porridge back then too
Cedric Canard recently posted..The acutely astute, perspicacious journalist
Oh yeah. At my age, I like being regular!
That’s about the temp we have had here in the mornings Paul.
. The 20s are when I start to add an extra layer when walking my dog in the morning. As a malamute, of course she loves it.
I can fully relate to your joy in having a garage to park in. Until I had a house, I always had to park outside also. Always hated the warm up / scraping routine to start the day.
Mark recently posted..Woodland Thanks
Yeah. I certainly thought of you Mark as I was writing this. I think that you’re the winner as far as people who visit here and post – you live in the coldest place, though Ken and Paul are probably not too far behind.
When i moved to Minnesota I was determined to have a garage attached to the house. I was very familiar with their winters and I certainly didn’t want to park outside. I loved that garage more than the rest of the house, especially in winter.
ken bello recently posted..…on this day…(11/29)
Ken. I’ve never been to MN, especially in the winter. I do think if I were to visit, I’d probably plan for summer. LOL
I definitely see garage as a necessity, but understand that it is a luxury for a lot of people. It’s great that you finally got one of your own. I don’t miss having to scrape ice or brush (or shovel) snow in the mornings.
The winter we had in Ohio just before we moved south had a stretch where the high was 0 and the lows were in the minus 20-somethings. I don’t miss those temperatures a bit.
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