Are You Not Running Today?

After an unusually pleasant Saturday morning run, with temperatures in the 50s, a cold front has moved into Highlands.  It is 26 degrees, the wind chill is 16 degrees, and there was a light dusting of snow overnight.  You cannot really call it a storm.  But it is definitely a storm in the northern half of the nation, where it has tangled Thanksgiving travel and has been dubbed Winter Storm Ezekiel by The Weather Channel.  When did we begin naming these winter storms?  

As noted in previous posts, I have become a wimp in cold weather like this.  Gone are the days when I would bundle up with two pairs of gloves and many layers of clothing and flinch in pain when I would turn a corner into the wind.  Still, I have been sighted often enough in horrific conditions, hat white with snow.  Crazy runner!  So everywhere I went today, people were asking in one way or another and with varying degrees of smug sarcasm, "Are you not running today?"  No, I'm not running today, and I did not see any other runners on the streets of Highlands running today as I drove to the Post Office this morning, seat warmer on and heat on high.

It was a good day to catch up on some baking, though.  With the help of my trusty turnover press, I have perfected the making of delicious but humble-looking apple turnovers, much to the delight of Martha and of her mother Jane who have frequently shared the results this winter.  

Is there anything more satisfying to see than the face of one's mother-in-law (who has been under the weather the past few days) accepting a container of apple turnovers still warm from the oven?  It is worth it every time.

I haven't run since Saturday, but the forecast looks a little better tomorrow afternoon.  And an apple turnover looks like the perfect post-run food for tomorrow night.