It had to be the weather
It is yet too early in March to even think spring has come. The solstice is two weeks away and there is always the chance of a late cold front and snow in Mid Missouri. For the past few months we, and many other people in the midwest, north and north east, have put up with sub freezing weather, ice and snow. The day light has been short and the cold long and brutal. Yet Tuesday promised to give a glimpse of relief from the bleakness from the north. We passed the time change with the evenings longer and that alone is an event that warms the soul. Throughout it all I have walked many days to work, come snow, sleet or sub zero temps. Many times I wore my kilts with a nice wool sweater and outer jacket. At the bleakest I had to opt for my wool breeks and Inverness cape. With winds sustained at 15-20mph and gusts of 25+ I felt the better part of valor was to wear breeks.

Through it all I think everyone was feeling the cold and dispair. Rare were the waves or word of "hello" as I walked to work as most people were just trying to get from home to work in the cold and snow. I cant find reason to blame them as there were days when I just wanted to stay inside.
The weather reports had been pretty acurate most of the winter months and Tuesday proved equal in predictions. An unseasonal 80F was predicted by late day with the morning being mild and sunny. This was my day leave for work at 8:30 am rather than my normal 6:30. I wear surgical scrubs all day long so I dress a bit more than a person, including everyone I work with, might do for a simple one mile walk. I feel it lifts my spirit to dress well, though casual, and enjoy a quite walk to work. This morning was an exception to the way people had acted the past 3 months. From the minute I was on the streets walking I had an attractive young lady turn around me at an intersection and give me a big smile and thumbs up. While I walked the couple walking their dog smiled, while looking down at the kilt, and said "Good Morning". The same happened with the young man waiting for the bus. Even the LOL's "Little old ladies" driving from the Dr's offices were smiling when they passed. Everything just felt nicer. Walking into the hospital I work at proved equally enjoyable as people smiled and said hello. I would like to take credit for the actions and attitudes due to the kilt but to be honest I think it was just the weather. As many times as I have worn my kilt to work this day presented the most smiles and hellos I have had in the last 4 months. So putting aside my dashing good looks (big guffaw here), and the kilt I have say it had to be the weather that brought about such a wonderful start to my morning. I must say that if I had worn jeans I would never have gotten such responses so I do credit the kilt to many of the smiles.
This is my casusal way of walking to work. Bear in mind I wear scrubs all day and a lead kilt and vest for xray. Dressing for my walk just helps me feel right...
Last edited by brewerpaul; 12th March 14 at 03:42 PM.
"Greater understanding properly leads to an increasing sense of responsibility, and not to arrogance."