This is a phrase that matters only to some people depending on location, age, and occupation. On the surface, it sounds like a seasonal happening, like when to sow seed or harvest the crop. Yet, in Houston, my place of most knowledge, closet adjusting is almost a non-event. Closet changes are even a non-gender non-occurence Let me speak for men I have know and observed. Boys I have raised and those I have taught wear short parts all year in most areas south of 40 degree north latitude. It depends on whether the line is in California or maybe in mountains of Tennessee. A favorite jacket they consider heavy might come out, especially if the lapel is cool in the vernacular meaning of the word: an attention drawing plaid or a fuzzy under collar resembling the fur of some animal. In pre-Covid days and suits were worn to work, a wool suit lurked in the back corner with its vest and hopefully a cover to provide a protection from moths. When the temperature dropped to near freezing, that usually counts as winter, that coat hanger was moved to a more accessible spot for the two days it was needed.
In spite of my realizing that for the most part, a heavy cotton cable knit sweater or a lightweight but lined jacket would be sufficient for most cold snaps, I have amassed a variety of sweaters. Double knit black pants or polyester ski pants with accompanying long underwear take care of my bottom half. The cloudy nippy days seem to call for sparkling colors and extra warmth. Single garments usually have a history that I remember fondly as each makes its appearance: annually, bi-annually, or once a decade. The most revered and cherished is a Ralph Lauren vest with a reindeer in cross stitch on the front. In high school, our daughter eyed it through Neiman Marcus sales until price matched budget. It lives in the box of once in a whiles and came out for me with its reds for Christmas this year. In the same box is a forty year old Norwegian Dale Classic sweater I ordered from the factory. It has wonderful silver buttons with snowflakes. Age comes to play when I want warmth and various turtle necks fill the bill. I love pulling them off at the end of the day to realize that a slight chill was kept at bay.
We live with the illusion that after Christmas warmth is on the way. So, the term organizing is limited to the moment something else is needed until that day in spring when we realize nothing is required any more except a long sleeve cotton shirt and maybe a light shawl for air-condition moments. I don’t do sleeveless, so Target tee shirts and Land’s End denim shorts do about 86% of the time. And yet, we are required to live prepared. I drained pipes before THE BIG FREEZE and cut down a tree before a hurricane. One son needs a new snow blower and California is putting sandbags in place. As our needs are, so may be those of someone else. I’m giving three verses this week. Organize as meaningful to you.
“While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat,
And summer and winter, And day and night
Shall not cease. Genesis 8:22
She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet. Proveers 32:21
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? Matthew 25:40
Let Me Tell Ya 