What in the hell …

In Dante’s account the ninth and final circle of hell is reserved for traitors. The ninth circle of hell is really, really, really fucking cold. I feel I must have betrayed someone today. Or someone in Minneapolis betrayed someone, because it so cold today. This morning it was -6 degrees F, which is -21 degrees C. With the wind, weather.com lists that it feels like -32 degree F, which is about -36 degrees C.

I left home dressed for winter this morning. I was not, however, dressed for the ninth circle of hell. This appropriate punishment for my being a traitor: betrayal is a surprise, as was the wind and cold that tried to scour the skin from my face. It is so cold that when the wind blows I gasp and have trouble catching my breath. I worry that if my eyes tear up the tears will freeze to my face. I came inside from the cold and my cheeks were bright sunburn pink. Bad sunburn, like falling asleep on the beach pink. And they stung like hell.

When the wind blows it’s like something with a certain type of zen practice, wish I could remember the name. They strike you, not aggressively but still firmly, with a stick. It knocks the thoughts from the head. This is the wind and cold today. It is hard to think, even to think how cold it is. It more just “ahh… *gasp*.” In that respect if there’s a salutory (sp?) function to clearing the mind (perhaps equivalent to the effect on the complexion - stripping the first layer of skin from the face makes for a nice healthy glow free of blemishes, though it sure hurts) then perhaps there’s some mental benefit to living in this climate. I have my doubts, though. I think it’s more likely a punishment. Whoever you are, I’m sorry for whatever I did.