Did you see the Minnesota v Ohio State football game?  Hear the stories about the the snow that needed to be shoveled out of the stadium?

Maybe you're from Cleveland, where you've already got snow dumped on you in buckets and realized that everyone forgot how to drive in this weather.

Maybe you're getting ready for ski season... joining the school's ski club... waxing up your snowboard.

I'm going to spend the day switching out my lawnmower and snowblower in my garage. Winterizing the lawnmower, and making sure the snowblower starts. I'll get all my winter gear together, too.  God forbid if we get a couple inches this week, I'll have to do my driveway and a couple of neighbors' as well.

It's getting cold, folks. It's time to put in the storm windows, reset the thermostats, and get out the winter pajamas. Get the ice melt out, snow shovels on hand, and prepare for snow, ice, cold, snow, ice, cold, and some more snow, ice, and cold.

But here's the thing.... I don't have it that bad and my guess is neither do you. I got a roof over my head, windows I can close, and doors I can shut. Some people don't have that. They may have a tent, an alley way, or a highway bridge.  Their heating source may be a heat exhaust from a downtown building. Some others may have a house to live in, but can't afford the heating bills or even extra blankets for their kids.

Keep these people in your thoughts and prayers as the days grow shorter and colder. I'll be giving some real thanks this year during the last Thursday in November. I have a house, a job, and health insurance. That's a lot more than some other people.

And if you can find it in your heart to help, I recommend donating to a homeless shelter whether in money, blankets, or food.

Wal Ozello is  a science fiction techno-thriller novelist and the author of Assignment 1989: The Time Travel Wars  and Revolution 1990. He's a resident of Upper Arlington, Ohio and a frequent customer at Colin's Coffee.

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