by Gail Kerry

Created on: November 19, 2008

Warm clothes are more than a fashion statement to those of us who are using common sense and dressing appropriately for the cold weather. They were invented for a reason, which seems to have escaped an entire generation or two. There are temperature resistant individuals who keep their homes so toasty warm in the winter that it is actually unhealthy. (Yes, the extreme heat differential when it's really cold outside can cause mold to form). If an amnesiac woke up in one of their bedrooms on the coldest day in February, they would swear it was summer.

Who knows how much energy could be conserved if this group of people would finally admit that winter is cold and summer is hot? It seems that they keep trying to create one big season of non-varying temperature within their homes, offices, cars and other public places as well. Perhaps if they realize that with the money they save on lowering the thermostat, they'll be able to take a trip to the Carribbean - where it's supposed to be warm in the winter. If we're going to get them to dress for the season, we really have to stop babying them.

Perhaps if we started with public places, these neophytes wouldn't have such a difficult transition when they return home. If the temperature in their office wasn't kept at a perfect 72 degrees on a cold winter day, they may dress a bit warmer when they leave their home and they might begin shopping for things like turtleneck shirts, wool sweaters and socks. Layers would mean more than slices of a cake, if you get my drift.

When they arrive home again, they might be prepared for a chilly 62 degrees, which is where the temperature inside should be on a cold day. They would look forward to a hot cup of tea or warm winter soup for dinner to warm them up a bit. Hot chocolate wouldn't just be a moment's deviation at Starbuck's.

They might appreciate a little "sofa blanket" while watching television and they would definitely opt for a white goose down comforter while sleeping, since no one can possibly catch a chill in one of those. They might finally realize why storm windows and doors were invented and why sealing up all those little cracks and wind drafts going to the outside is important.

When we finally toughen up these "Californians", they may even grow to love flannel nightgowns, warm fleecy robes and fuzzy slippers too. If we can keep them from turning up the thermostat, they might even enjoy cuddling up to a warm furry mutt in the cold winter months that lie ahead. Oh, by the way, they may not win too many fashion accolades, but they will definitely save money on their heating bills.

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