Post by kds on Jan 27, 2023 19:55:45 GMT
For me, Winter used to be a season to just get through. It's cold, it's dark. There's really not a lot going on. But, in recent years, I've come to realize that, while we get four seasons a year, we do not have a finite amount of years on this Earth, so best not to rush any of them.
While I still prefer the warmer months, I've learned to actually embrace winter in the last two or three years. Here's some of the reasons in no particular order.
1. Down Time - Once the weather begins to warm, we wind up getting pretty busy. And, things really get busy once we get to the last half of the calendar year. So, after the busy last six months of the year, and the busy Christmas cycle, the coming of the new year typically offers a chance to regroup and catch my breath a bit.
2. It's Quiet - While I enjoy the ambient sounds of summer, the winter months have a certain stillness and quiet to them that tends to be very calming to me.
3. Fluffy Pants - It's cold outside, and I have an older house that can get a bit drafty. In an effort to keep the energy bill at a respectable level, I keep the heat on 68. So, it can get a little chilly at night. Flannel PJ pants, and a flannel robe is a nice way to combat the chill. Add in a pair of slippers, and you have some simple pleasures.
4. Crock Pot Meals - Nothing like having something stewing in the crock pot on a cold day. Added bonus, it keeps the house warm, and smelling great.
5. Whiskey - I'm a little OCD about seasonal drinking. I've always associated whiskey with the cooler months. I prefer it neat (in a glass, no ice), and summertime isn't the best time to enjoy it that way. Especially since I like to have drinks out on the deck (yes, even in winter). Not only does the whiskey get very warm in the summer months on the deck, but drinking it in a glass poses a problem with the bugs. Which brings me to my next point.
6. No Bugs - I really like spending some time outside to decompress. Either having a glass of whiskey or wine. Or lighting up the old Weber grill. But, this time of year, I don't have to worry about the mosquitoes, flies, or bees. Sure, I have to wear layers of clothes instead of a coat of Off or Cutter, but it's a fair trade.
7. Winter Music - This could be a subject for another thread, but I've put together a nice playlist for Winter that I really like, including The Rolling Stones (Winter), Genesis (Snowbound), The Doors (Wintertime Love), Steve Miller (Winter Time), along with several selections from Pink Floyd, Black Label Society, The Moody Blues, and George Harrison among others that put me in a Winter mood.
While I still prefer the warmer months, I've learned to actually embrace winter in the last two or three years. Here's some of the reasons in no particular order.
1. Down Time - Once the weather begins to warm, we wind up getting pretty busy. And, things really get busy once we get to the last half of the calendar year. So, after the busy last six months of the year, and the busy Christmas cycle, the coming of the new year typically offers a chance to regroup and catch my breath a bit.
2. It's Quiet - While I enjoy the ambient sounds of summer, the winter months have a certain stillness and quiet to them that tends to be very calming to me.
3. Fluffy Pants - It's cold outside, and I have an older house that can get a bit drafty. In an effort to keep the energy bill at a respectable level, I keep the heat on 68. So, it can get a little chilly at night. Flannel PJ pants, and a flannel robe is a nice way to combat the chill. Add in a pair of slippers, and you have some simple pleasures.
4. Crock Pot Meals - Nothing like having something stewing in the crock pot on a cold day. Added bonus, it keeps the house warm, and smelling great.
5. Whiskey - I'm a little OCD about seasonal drinking. I've always associated whiskey with the cooler months. I prefer it neat (in a glass, no ice), and summertime isn't the best time to enjoy it that way. Especially since I like to have drinks out on the deck (yes, even in winter). Not only does the whiskey get very warm in the summer months on the deck, but drinking it in a glass poses a problem with the bugs. Which brings me to my next point.
6. No Bugs - I really like spending some time outside to decompress. Either having a glass of whiskey or wine. Or lighting up the old Weber grill. But, this time of year, I don't have to worry about the mosquitoes, flies, or bees. Sure, I have to wear layers of clothes instead of a coat of Off or Cutter, but it's a fair trade.
7. Winter Music - This could be a subject for another thread, but I've put together a nice playlist for Winter that I really like, including The Rolling Stones (Winter), Genesis (Snowbound), The Doors (Wintertime Love), Steve Miller (Winter Time), along with several selections from Pink Floyd, Black Label Society, The Moody Blues, and George Harrison among others that put me in a Winter mood.