They used to call it winter, a farmer told me this morning at the Cambridge Food Co-Op. Now, he said, they call it a Polar Vortex. And sell a bunch of ads. A sure sign of old fartism is looking back at what they used to do, but he was right, frightening people about the weather is a big business. The corporate companies that own the weather outlets pretend they are concerned about the environment and global warming, but Mother Earth does not require the naming of storms and weather systems so that marketers can sell ad space to truck companies.

Whatever you call it, it is upon us, Red and I felt it this afternoon as we walked down Main Street to sign some books at Battenkill Books. Wednesday and Thursday are supposed to be sub-zero days up here, and that is not all that unusual for January. Next Tuesday, Maria and I will get on a plane for Orlando and a week in Disney World – a gift to me from the Creative Group At Bedlam Farm after my heart surgery.

I can’t imagine a better turn of events than going to Disney World after a Polar Vortex, how very cool. My weather planner says Orlando will be in the low 80’s next week. Wow. I looked in the mirror this morning for the first time since my surgery in July, I had trouble looking at my scars.

I looked this morning, and it looked like a map of Southeast Asia, I think. I’m not sure I will be taking my shirt off in any Florida pool, not yet. I don’t want to scare any kids. But I need to think differently about my scars, they protect my healthier heart, they are, in some ways, a victory map. It turned out well. I can say that but don’t quite believe it yet.

I am okay with my surgery, but I guess not yet quite comfortable with it. Something that doesn’t come up in recovery or cardiac rehab. And how lucky I am, to be going to Florida this month. We both need it, we will soak up every bit of sun.