Enjoying Winter

Remember back in the days of our childhood when we would all bundle up to go outside?  We loved walking through the snow, blazing a new trail.  I loved grabbing a sled and taking a run down our hill that we lived on in Eureka.  Going to visit the Butts family, I got to put on a pair of ice-skates and wander all over the top of Glen Lake.  At school, we found whatever ice there was see how far we could slide.  Those were the days!!!

I have heard rumor that Montana is going to have a long, snowy winter.  Already parts of the state has had record breaking snowfall.  One friend talked about depression in December and I know a lot of people struggle during the long months.  I have been know to as well, but I want to enjoy the time, because well, four months of not enjoying life just seems, frankly, stupid.  At Mass yesterday, Father said that on such a cold day, we need to find gratitude to help us through the rough weather days.  Yesterday at -2, he was grateful for no wind.  Oh, I so agree.

An article is floating around Facebook again this year about a scientist that went to Northern Norway to study depression during the dark months of winter and found no depression.  I love this article.  Winter is fun people!  We do have to approach it with a different attitude.  Here are some points to think about.

1.         Celebrate the things one can do only in winter - skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledding.  Now, I do have a hard time with this.  My rheumatoid arthritis flares in the cold and my hip issues cause me to cringe at the thought of falling.  However, I am going to try to get out in the yard this winter.  Yep, the yard.  What am I going to do?  Hang out with Leo, the beagle.  We can walk around and get fresh air.  I might take my garden sheers out and cut some of the mess in my vegetable garden.  I want to take winter pictures.  One of the reasons I bought my new pickup is to get around in the snow better than the little Ford Focus.  I might go on an excursion or two with my camera.

2.         If you are stuck indoors due to illness, hobbies are another thing to look forward to in the winter.  Take time to read more.  Hey, I have seven books in print that you can read.  I plan to read more poetry from the Elizabethan age along with some historical books about that time era.  I also will continue to crochet.  This is something I have always loved about winter.  In the summer, I don't crochet because it is too hot.  My fingers will get sweaty and sticky, so winter is the best time to work on blankets.  And hey, watch some fun movies as a family.  With Disney+, my family has enjoyed watching the movies from the vault.  My husband and I are re-watching the Star Wars movies.  I crochet during this time.  Oh, and I am also going to start baking more after Christmas.  No, I don't need more sweets.  However, I can take them down to God's Love.  This is a place here in town that feeds the homeless.  I will be doing something I love and giving to others.  Win, win, right there.  I love winter!!!

3.         The Norwegians have a word, Koselig, that means coziness. They embrace the winter season with candles, fires, warm beverages, and fuzzy blankets.  Before I read the article again, I had been drinking tea in the evening.  I only drink tea in the cold months of the year.  Also, I add my dad's old flannel shirts to the list of cozy.  I am wearing one right now.  Norway also has winter festivals.  I am thinking I need to plan something in January and February and even March.  Other things to think about are hosting dinners or getting a group of people to go to the movies.  Hey, go support your local school and attend a theater production if they have one or a sporting event like wresting and basketball.

4.         Find the beauty in the winter!!!  Yes, there is beauty in all the fluffy whiteness out there.  I need to take pictures.  I admit, I do get tired of all the white.  I need to embrace it more and see the beauty.  I have been working on that by watching the clouds roll by as I sit at my computer.  This is something I want to work hard on this winter.

5.         I read one article that suggested going on a vacation.  This can be difficult due to finances or kids in school.  I am fortunate this year to be going to Texas during a winter month.  Normally, I don't always get the chance.  Though with the daughter almost an adult, I might do it more often.  However, one thing I do is listen to what I call island music.  This is a vague concept.  I think I will look up some stuff.  Basically, I listen to a ton of uplifting music that make my feet tap.  Music can transport me to a vacation feeling.

5.         Change your attitude about winter.  Stop complaining and find something good to say.  Be grateful.  Today the sky is a vivid blue above the house.  Off in the distance fluffy clouds drift along the northern edge of the valley.  Gorgeous!!!

Over the next few months, I am going to try to incorporate the things I am doing to keep my joy during the dark months of winter here on the blog.  Come join me and start appreciating the fun of winter.

Remember back in the days of our childhood when we would all bundle up to go outside?  We loved walking through the snow, blazing a new trail.  I loved grabbing a sled and taking a run down our hill that we lived on in Eureka.  Going to visit the Butts family, I got to put on a pair of ice-skates and wander all over the top of Glen Lake.  At school, we found whatever ice there was see how far we could slide.  Those were the days!!!

I have heard rumor that Montana is going to have a long, snowy winter.  Already parts of the state has had record breaking snowfall.  One friend talked about depression in December and I know a lot of people struggle during the long months.  I have been know to as well, but I want to enjoy the time, because well, four months of not enjoying life just seems, frankly, stupid.  At Mass yesterday, Father said that on such a cold day, we need to find gratitude to help us through the rough weather days.  Yesterday at -2, he was grateful for no wind.  Oh, I so agree.

An article is floating around Facebook again this year about a scientist that went to Northern Norway to study depression during the dark months of winter and found no depression.  I love this article.  Winter is fun people!  We do have to approach it with a different attitude.  Here are some points to think about.

1.         Celebrate the things one can do only in winter - skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and sledding.  Now, I do have a hard time with this.  My rheumatoid arthritis flares in the cold and my hip issues cause me to cringe at the thought of falling.  However, I am going to try to get out in the yard this winter.  Yep, the yard.  What am I going to do?  Hang out with Leo, the beagle.  We can walk around and get fresh air.  I might take my garden sheers out and cut some of the mess in my vegetable garden.  I want to take winter pictures.  One of the reasons I bought my new pickup is to get around in the snow better than the little Ford Focus.  I might go on an excursion or two with my camera.

2.         If you are stuck indoors due to illness, hobbies are another thing to look forward to in the winter.  Take time to read more.  Hey, I have seven books in print that you can read.  I plan to read more poetry from the Elizabethan age along with some historical books about that time era.  I also will continue to crochet.  This is something I have always loved about winter.  In the summer, I don't crochet because it is too hot.  My fingers will get sweaty and sticky, so winter is the best time to work on blankets.  And hey, watch some fun movies as a family.  With Disney+, my family has enjoyed watching the movies from the vault.  My husband and I are re-watching the Star Wars movies.  I crochet during this time.  Oh, and I am also going to start baking more after Christmas.  No, I don't need more sweets.  However, I can take them down to God's Love.  This is a place here in town that feeds the homeless.  I will be doing something I love and giving to others.  Win, win, right there.  I love winter!!!

3.         The Norwegians have a word, Koselig, that means coziness. They embrace the winter season with candles, fires, warm beverages, and fuzzy blankets.  Before I read the article again, I had been drinking tea in the evening.  I only drink tea in the cold months of the year.  Also, I add my dad's old flannel shirts to the list of cozy.  I am wearing one right now.  Norway also has winter festivals.  I am thinking I need to plan something in January and February and even March.  Other things to think about are hosting dinners or getting a group of people to go to the movies.  Hey, go support your local school and attend a theater production if they have one or a sporting event like wresting and basketball.

4.         Find the beauty in the winter!!!  Yes, there is beauty in all the fluffy whiteness out there.  I need to take pictures.  I admit, I do get tired of all the white.  I need to embrace it more and see the beauty.  I have been working on that by watching the clouds roll by as I sit at my computer.  This is something I want to work hard on this winter.

5.         I read one article that suggested going on a vacation.  This can be difficult due to finances or kids in school.  I am fortunate this year to be going to Texas during a winter month.  Normally, I don't always get the chance.  Though with the daughter almost an adult, I might do it more often.  However, one thing I do is listen to what I call island music.  This is a vague concept.  I think I will look up some stuff.  Basically, I listen to a ton of uplifting music that make my feet tap.  Music can transport me to a vacation feeling.

5.         Change your attitude about winter.  Stop complaining and find something good to say.  Be grateful.  Today the sky is a vivid blue above the house.  Off in the distance fluffy clouds drift along the northern edge of the valley.  Gorgeous!!!

Over the next few months, I am going to try to incorporate the things I am doing to keep my joy during the dark months of winter here on the blog.  Come join me and start appreciating the fun of winter.