Summer in the South Atlantic

...has already passed. I'll be arriving at the Falkland Islands in time for winter. Many people I know would mourn the loss of a summer, but I can't wait to get out of this heat. Summer in Texas is hot and dry with little relief to be found from the sun's harsh rays. Normally, I deal with the heat by staying inside, but sometimes venturing outside cannot be avoided.

This morning I spent three hours outside in New Mexico. One of my courses this semester is in living history, for which we time travel* to 1912 twice a week. The past few time travels have been pretty comfortable, but I could tell today was going to be miserable as soon as I got into costume. There was almost no breeze and temperatures were in the mid 90s. Can you see why I might want to go way south for the summer?

Mrs. Josephine Foster of the Rio Grande Republican. Oh, I am wearing a corset 
and chemise under everything.

Apart from the attraction of avoiding the Texas summer, it's been a while since I've had a real winter. We definitely don't get them in Texas and Virginia tried occasionally, but it just wasn't the same. Since I was 12 the last time I experienced a real winter, I had some serious shopping to do. One thing that hasn't changed - it's still hard to look good and stay warm at the same time. I used to get teased for dressing like a dork with so many layers, but I was warm. For the past few years I've bought my winter clothes with greater attention to appearance. I have a couple of very nice looking coats that aren't exactly suited to freezing weather with high winds. It looks like I'm going to be a dork again. But, a warm dork.

This is probably the dorkiest part of the outfit. But, hey, it was on sale, it's cozy, and it's windproof. The other color option was pink. That definitely wasn't going to happen.

Gloves! With a fuzzy lining! I know from experience that mittens are warmer, but I like having some degree of dexterity. Besides I can always wear them over a pair of fingerless gloves for extra warmth.

I love boots. I really love boots. These are both pretty and warm!

And last, but not least, a furry hat! I know it's impossible to take me seriously wearing this 
hat, but I absolutely love it. I fully intend to wear it on the airplane. It'll double as a pillow 
and noise reducer! Oh, and that is real rabbit fur. This probably comes from the four years 
I spent in Russia, but I don't have a problem with people wearing fur in climates that 
demand extreme measures. I think winter in the Falklands counts.

Three weeks left in the semester. Can I make it?

*Time Travel is a form of first person living history promoted by the international organization Bridging Ages.