Holy bejezus, it is cold outside. This morning was the first real test for a pair of gloves I bought in the fall when I realized that my last pair of winter commuting gloves (well, mittens over gloves) were no longer up to the task of the cold days.

Unfortunately, I knew pretty quickly that they failed in the extreme cold this morning. I really had expected them to make it. My commute is just long enough that frozen painful fingers are likely tear-inducing, but not life-or-limb threatening. I was lamenting this tragic situation and how not-enjoyable the rest of my morning commute would be and the impending awful evening commute when the solution appeared in the road.

There were two unopened packs of air-activated handwarmers laying in the street. The stoplight behind me had just flipped to a 4-way walk signal, and I easily stopped in the street to grab them. They were both covered with road salt, but otherwise in top shape.

So, if you lost some handwarmers on Lake St. recently, thanks. I owe you, one. I’ll try to find a way to pay it forward.