On the way to town last week, I caught myself complaining that the seat heater in the vehicle wasn’t warming up very fast. And then I remembered going to town in winter as a kid. Everyone I knew drove old rattletrap vehicles that didn’t have very good heaters, and some didn’t work at all. We all had blankets over our knees, and the driver often had to remove his glove and rub a clear spot on the windshield to see where he was going. The INSIDE of the windshield. Defrosters weren’t heard of yet. Anyone else that wanted to assess progress on the route used a coat sleeve to scrape frost off the window they sat next to, or breathed a peek hole. Neither method was successful for more than a couple of minutes. And I’m complaining because my backside is not toasty?
There’s something wrong with this picture, and the problem is me. Funny, I don’t recall whining about the cold on those long-ago trips. Maybe we were just glad to be going somewhere. And knowing everyone else was enduring the same discomfort meant nobody was going to make it better, so silence was the best solution.
Summer trips were more pleasant because there was lots of ventilation to cool us. A few old pickups had floorboards missing and you could watch the road disappearing beneath you. The nicer vehicles had a little wing window next to the larger one in front, so you could adjust the breeze coming in and still keep the big window rolled up and have your hair stay nice. And there were vents that could be opened to let the air cool your feet. I miss those wing windows because I prefer not to use the air conditioning until the temp hits ninety.
Ranchers still have to be out in the cold to feed stock in winter, but most tractors have heated cabs. When we fed with horses, I used to burrow down in the hay when riding along, but Dad had to stand on the front of the hay sled in the wind, to drive the team. I kept pretty warm while helping to pitch hay off, but the ride back was bumpy and cold whether you sat down or tried to keep your balance standing up.
Our first feed tractor it didn’t have a cab, so we bought a comfort cover, which was a kind of tarp that fit over the motor and helped funnel some heat back to the driver. Insulated coveralls and the like hadn’t been thought of back then. We made do with long handles, two shirts, several pairs of socks, and chopper mittens. I have some good memories of the old days but they really weren’t the “good” old days, especially in winter.
Well, it’s time to head to town for groceries. I think I’ll wear the long down filled coat. It will give some protection for my tender side until the seat heater warms up.