Hey, y’all! 

In case you hadn’t heard, it’s winter. We mean, we’d HEARD about it here in Austin, but, really, it’s pretty warm and lovely, so we hadn’t really noticed.

60 degrees? BRR.

We digress.

In case you hadn’t heard, and this is serious, today, February 6th, is National Wear Red Day, a day set forth by the American Heart Association to raise awareness about heart disease, which is the #1 killer of women in the United States.

The warmth (and all-around glorious loveliness) in Austin during the winter months and this very important day are inextricably linked. At least, we think so. Let us explain.

The American Heart Association (did we mention that February is National Heart Month?) points out that cold weather—which happens in many parts of the country in winter—poses severe risks to people with heart disease (as well as children and the elderly).

Now, we’re not saying that Austin is any better than those cold places. Wait. Yes, we are. Austin rocks. And it’s not cold. It’s around 60 degrees here today. It’ll be near 75 tomorrow.

We digress. Again.

Cold weather is cold. Often, that cold brings snow—wet, heavy, slippery, inconvenient snow—along with it. Or so we’ve heard. We don’t get that here in Austin. Because Austin is cool … but it’s almost never cold.

The American Heart Association tells us that winter’s cold frostiness can be dangerous for lots of folks—children, the elderly, people with heart disease—because they have a harder time maintaining body temperatures and can be stripped more easily of their internal warmth. These people are more susceptible to hypothermia.

Also? Let’s talk about snow.

Let’s talk about heavy, wet, drifting, cold, icy snow.

Just walking through that stuff taxes your heart. Trudging through the tundra is something people in northern climes (we’re looking at you, New England and Chicago and … everywhere else that gets winter) have to think about because heart attack—myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, angina, and all of that—is a very real risk.

Don’t even get us started on shoveling.

But, like we said, these are things we don’t have to think about in Austin … because it doesn’t snow here. In the rare instance it did, it’d be so insignificant that no shovels would be required; we’d all just stare in amazement and, in the blink of an eye, it’d be gone. Then we’d go get tacos.

We’re not saying that our delicious warmth is a cure for heart disease. No. We would never say that. But it can’t hurt.

We love New England. Their lobsters are lovely and we enjoy them when we visit. We can get a tasty morsel at Portillo’s when we visit Chicago. The key word here is VISIT. These places are great, but when it comes to where we want to LIVE, Austin gets our thumbs up each and every time.

We don’t ever want to be anywhere else.

If you’re looking for a break from the cold—and for your heart—come pay us a visit. We’re betting we can convince you to stay.

Heart disease is a very real, very serious disease. It’s the number one killer of women in this country. Know the risks, know the signs. Knowing them could save your life. Find out more about this silent killer from the American Heart Association.

And wear red today. The women in your life will love you for it. And thank you.