Marketing for Romance Writers
Monthly Blog Challenge: January
What inventive ways have you found to keep warm?
Well, other than summoning a hot flash on demand, I can’t call my ways of keeping warm inventive. I’m not an outside-in-the-winter-for-fun person, so I’ll write about keeping warm indoors.
Wearing fingerless gloves while writing in any season is nothing new or inventive (nowadays), but they keep our hands toasty.
In my last apartment with no basement, drafts made the floors nippy. The heating system never kept the place comfortable when the temperatures plummeted. I used to use a heated throw until it quit heating. On some evenings when the temps dropped to the teens or below zero-degrees, I’d bundle up with a heavy blanket, extra thick socks, and an electric heater to supplement. My old doggie, Kasha, curled up on the blanket at my feet.
However, to keep my dog warm, especially at bedtime, I’d roll out two throw rugs, then fold and drop a thick quilt on the floor to keep her warm. I’d toss a light blanket over her, but before daybreak, she’d be on top of them. Her age and illness kept her from jumping on the bed or sofa, and with a back injury at the time, I couldn’t lift my sixty-five pound fur-baby. In the mornings, after taking her for a quick trip outside, we’d come back in, and while she ate, I’d take my coffee back to bed to cuddle up under blankets. Before long, she’d mosey in for a pat to her head. Satisfied with a little lovin’ from Mama, she’d curl up on her blankets. I’ll forever remember the last winter with her.
A year or two ago, my new apartment, with a basement and warmer floors, had an issue with the boiler, so we had no heat for over twenty-four hours. Once again, I dragged out an extra blanket to cuddle up for the night. Since I had power, I plugged in my electric heater and stayed warm and cozy until a repairman fixed the boiler.
What about you? Do you have any inventive suggestions for keeping warm?
Drop by the Marketing for Romance Writers Blog Hop to see how PARTICIPATING AUTHORS have used inventive ways to stay warm.
Thanks for reading.
Socks and dog Featured Image Courtesy: Pixabay 3025332. Kasha image poorly edited and manipulated by yours truly.
Mary J. McCoy-Dressel 
14 thoughts on “#MFRWauthor Warm and Cozy #WritersLife”
Birdie Song
Kasha looks like she was a real darling, Mary. I’m so sorry she’s not around anymore. Cuddling is a wonderful way to keep warm.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Thank you, Birdie. She sure was sweet. I still miss her. Thank you for your visit.
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Black Rabbit Tea Lady
A up of tea, warm socks and your loving dog will keep you warm. Don’t underestimate their power 😀
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Hi, I found your comment in my Spam folder. Thank you for responding. And yes to not underestimating the power of love in many forms. Including coffee, tea, warm socks, or a loving dog.
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Black Rabbit Tea Lady
That’s right…any form 🤍
Hope you feel warmer now 😊
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
☕ I do.
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Teagan Riordain Geneviene
Mary, I agree about electric blankets — they’re fabulous. I’ve started keeping my electric throw blanket out for Crystal all year. LOL. She’s that spoiled. The one I had for the past couple of years wasn’t heating all that well. Then about a week ago I smelled an odor like melting plastic. Sure enough, it was coming from where the control plugs into the blanket. Happily I had another one waiting.
I like leg warmers for a little extra warmth. Sometimes, if I’m sitting on the bed with the laptop, I just put them on my feet! LOL. I bought a cheap pair a couple of years ago, and I’ve been surprised that they help and are comfortable — of course, I mostly wear them when I’m working at the computer, so keeping them up is not a problem.
Stay warm and cozy. I know it’s awfully cold up there. Hugs on the wing!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Leg warmers. Now that’s a good idea. I still have my old electric throw. It no longer works, but it’s double thick and warm. I still use it when it’s extra cold. This morning was 16 degrees. I bet Crystal likes yours. Kasha would lie near the electric heater for a short time before she panted so hard from being hot. Then she’d move. She had her own fur coat!
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fionamcgier
The dog I had the longest was named Tasha, short for Natasha, from the Bullwinkle cartoons, since she was half Russian Keeshound. Your Kasha looks adorable! Now that we’re empty-nesters, I think the husband is contemplating adding a dog to our lives again. I sure hope so! Like you said, they’re very good at adding heat to your feet, lap, etc. And love is warming too!
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
My youngest son named our dog when he rescued her. She belonged to him before I took her over when he married my daughter-in-law with cats. Her cats didn’t like dogs, and Kasha didn’t like cats. Win-win for me. 🙂 Tasha is a cute name. I hope you get another dog, Fiona. They’re a lot of company. Thanks for visiting!
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Shari Elder
Kasha is such a dear. I love my pets, and furry hugs is definitely a part of my keep warm strategy.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
I sure could use some furry hugs these days, Shari. Enjoy your hugs and stay warm. Thank you for stopping by.
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Kate Hill
There’s truly nothing like a pet to keep you warm emotionally as well as physically. Your pic of Kasha is lovely. She was adorable.
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Mary J. McCoy-Dressel
Hi, Kate. Thanks. Yes, I agree about the emotional and physical warmth with a cuddly fur-baby at our side. Kasha gave a lot of both. ❤
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