Parka

Two days down, one to go, in a row. Record breaking week at work. More to come. Hurts.

Phil reminds me of my parka as a kid. We were in Montgomery Ward, a store even then more or less on the ropes. In the aisle, a rack of OD green parkas, orange lining, for (I seem to remember) $20. Having looked at coats recently, I knew this was cheaper, by a good stretch, anyway. One look, and I was in love.

My friend Anna had a down jacket she kept warm with. My wool coat, or the suede long coat, never did. I'd kept a watch for a really warm jacket.

Brought my mother over, this was the coat I wanted for winter. She was utterly aghast, too expensive, can't afford that, and so ugly. I urged her, the price was much less, see? Oh, well, but, are you sure you'll wear this? Reluctance and doubt and a bargain took over her. I assured her, I would love it. With great hesitation, reason and rare insistence from me working, she agreed. Maybe it was only $15. I was in about 8th or 9th grade at the time, 13 or 14 years old. Shockingly unlike my vain age group, perhaps. Hated being cold. She bragged about wearing skirts all winter, I thought that rather foolish, but never told her that.

And wear it I did. That winter, or perhaps the next, with temps well below zero (-17), the car didn't start, and I had to walk to school. Once I got there, found it had been closed for the storm, walked back home. A mile, perhaps? Twice. Just a bit over, according to oogle.gaps. With the hood zipped up to a periscope, hands in pockets, only my legs and feet were cold, cheeks a bit. A wonder and a miracle.

Kept that ugly, beautiful warm parka, for many, many years. My mother never really said another word about it, one way or another, that I remember. Didn't fit her idea of me, I suspect. But I am practical to the core, I just happen to have a pervasive esthetic sense to run alongside. Beauty follows function. Anything really useful and well made takes on a grace that exceeds it's looks, adds to them.

When we prepared to move to Boston, we both got parkas from land-send, because of cash-backs from our credit card, so they were, in a way, free. Black for me, blue for D, and still our cold weather coats. Essential, really. The coat that lets in no appreciable cold, no matter what. Hoods, deep pockets, insulated well, they are an enduring joy.


When the cold wind really cuts, nothing like a decent parka. Especially if cheap, or free.