too long

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It's been 40 below for far too long. Too much cold. Too much dark. Too much time breathing frozen exhaust every time I go outside.

Today I made my students read an article about a 16 year old who got frostbite at temps in the single digits - above. Then we read Jack London's story "To Build a Fire." Today, I can't imagine walking 20 miles at -75. I can't even imagine -75. I'm in my house and I'm freezing.

I wonder how many of my students will wear gloves and a hat to school tomorrow, if the concept that what happened to the young man, and the cheechako in London's story, could happen to them. In an instant.

It's been too cold for far too long.

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