Powered by Blogger.

One Hundred Days of Winter

As I was shivering while waiting for the bus this afternoon I did a quick calculation of how many days were left in the winter. I know purists will say it's not winter yet, there are leaves on the trees and winter officially doesn't start until next month.

This was the view from the bus stop. There was still a lot of leaves and a lot of bright color at Seventy-second street.
 
If I hadn't been wearing my winter coat, scarf and gloves and still feeling the chill I might have gone along with the calendar purists. The temperature on my phone was thirty-two degrees and the wind made it feel still colder.
 
 

 Just seventeen blocks uptown...
 
...the scene was vastly different. There were just a few leaves left on the trees and it looked and felt like winter. I resumed thinking about the calculation I made at the bus stop. There are approximately 100 days of winter to come. My plans now are to be in a warmer climate for ten of those days, but that still leaves many days of cold and yes, my most dreaded parts of winter, sleet and freezing rain.
 
 
As I have written about many times I am not a fan of winter. All the hot cocoa and mini-marshmallows in the world don't make up for short days and long cold nights. Cozy flannel doesn't come close to making me feel good about slippery sidewalks. But there are still 100 days of cold weather ahead and I don't want to spend the next three months moaning about the weather. I'm not sure how I am going to do this -- as I've spent many years disliking cold and snow -- but I am going to find ways to enjoy the season. It may be new winter gear...
 
...in bright colors.
 
 
It might even be some outdoor activity I've never tried before, or will try again. I can't promise that this will be a terrific success, but since I can't change the weather, it's time to change me. 
 
Here's a toast to winter. Bring on the hot cider and bright mittens. Winter and I are going to be friends, or at least friendlier acquaintances.
 
Are there activities that you have found that  make the winter more fun? I'd love some suggestions.  
 
 
It really is winter today, but I got my round of errands done this morning. I got to the grocery --bought my cranberries for next week -- and to the Apple store. My iPad met a tile floor over the weekend and the tile won. I go back tomorrow for a replacement.
 
I appreciate the many prayers for Anthony. Thankfully, he came through the surgery well.
 
As always, thanks for visiting and take good care.

16 comments

TARYTERRE said...

I've grown up confronting winter my whole life. Too cold. I don't have the luxury of going away. So this year I will deal with it by putting a beach screensaver on my computer and watching the water splash to shore gently calming me.

Nellie said...

Oh, dear! That is not good news about the iPad and the tile floor.:-( I would be totally "undone" were that to happen to this one.

I guess I came with a hibernating nature.:-) I love to curl up in something warm and have a good cup of something hot. Winter seems to be the perfect time to read, too. I love the soups and stews that seem prefect for winter.

I send you warm hugs and wishes!

Mevely317 said...

This first photo was amazing!

Seriously, I'm so glad to hear you're extending the olive branch to Old Man Winter. (... and may he reciprocate in kind fashion!) Can't wait to see what snazzy mittens you've in store!

BLOGZOOM said...



Hi,

although for thousands of people the winter representing cold and the darkest days with less light, there is a beauty in it for who lives in the tropics unknown it.

cheers

Barbara F. said...

I feel the same way, Carol. Just have to deal with it.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

It will be interesting to see how you make friends with winter. I'm not a fan of winter either, but trying to be thankful for every day.

Denise said...

Eleven degrees here yesterday morning. Thankfully, no snow. I hate winter, too. Feel sorry for all the folks in Buffalo. Not sure how I would cope with that much snow.

Donna said...

Wow .. winter has always been my favourite season. Growing up in northern Alberta, Canada .. spring was the scramble to get things in the ground so they could have a long enough to grow .. summer was filled dawn to dusk with weeding, haying, repairing .. autumn was the time to make sure all the food for the animals and family was put up for winter. BUT .. winter was the time when we could close the curtains .. get cozy by the fire and take time to read, quilt, visit over the kitchen table.

Theresa said...

Well, it is 19 here this morning... but warming up a little each day after this! I tend to stay in a lot in the Winter/COLD Fall because I don't like to be COLD:) Enjoy your day dear friend, happy to hear the surgery went well! HUGS!

Susie said...

Buttercup, I just gave myself the dickens for whining about winter weather. LOL I want to like winter. I do think coats in colors other than black might help. I like scarfs in colors too. Bless you, stay warm. I like to think it's only 100 days....but that would have been way off the mark last winter. LOL. xoxo,Susie

Anonymous said...

I can't think of a single thing that makes winter more fun :) I don't like these frigid temps at all! I'm sitting here with three layers of clothes on, the fireplace is going, the furnace is on, and still I am freezing :(

I hope you'll share whatever you find to make it more fun up there.

Ida said...

Well it's good to know I'm not alone in my (dislike) of the winter season. I too am trying to be a bit more positive about it all but it's not easy.

Kerin said...

Seems like most everyone is dreading winter.
In years past, I've been right there along with all the haters of winter.
Not this year. I intend on making some sort of truce with the season of freezing***smile**.

Books, crafts, organizing, trying new recipes, and having a better attitude I hope will help.
You are correct... there is nothing we can do to change it.... winter will prevail.

Happy to read that your friend came out of surgery and is on the mend.

K.

Sola Scriptura said...

If you figure out what makes winter more fun, please let me know :)

My New Happy said...

I'm not a big fan of winter either. Here in Seattle it means months of gray, rainy days. I love your attitude towards it though!

Paula said...

What a beautiful view at the bus stop!