Monday, September 15, 2008

The Beauty of Fall... The Harbinger of Winter...


I broke down today and bought my new electric blanket on eBay. It couldn't be helped, really. Reality has a way of making sure of that...

I loathe winter. Of course, even in the middle of summer, my hands and feet are prone to being freezing cold, and once winter hits? There's no hope. It's permanent cold from November until late March, early April.

I need to move to Hawaii, that's all there is to it.

But you can't help but appreciate the beauty in Mother Nature. She certainly goes out with a bang... Most years. As I watch the silver maples turn gold and the Japanese cherry transform its leaves to the color of its spring fruit, I can't help but smile. It's beautiful, breathtaking, gorgeous...

But it means I should be living in Hawaii.

Sigh. It's almost time to start up the coal stove, make the most of Thanksgiving and Christmas, followed by New Years and my birthday, and then the long, lonely, dark days of winter. It's depressing.

Of course, I'm gardening right up until I can't anymore. I just planted a yellow butterfly bush, two apple trees, three Lombard poplars, some red milkweed (unsure of actual variety), and some blue thingy I can't remember the name of at the moment--but it's a show-stopper! (or it will be next spring anyway...)

So, dear reader--what do you do during winter to keep the doldrums away?

7 comments:

elj377 said...

We listen to Beach Music and dance around the kitchen and dining room enjoying being together! Also Hot chocolate makes everything better especially when topped with a nice big dollop of Redi Whip! YUMMY!

Anonymous said...

Wearing lots of layers, that's what I'll be doing this winter. I hope I can find some nice electric heaters or it's gonna be a cold one this winter! Electric blankets are a live-saver! I got one a few years ago as a Christmas present and it was one of the best gifts eva!

Anonymous said...

hello jason! this is when i start working on a crochet afgan or 2 and by the time the real awful part of winter comes in feb. and march is when the afgan is long enough to cover you and keep you warm and you keep your hands busy while you are finishing the project in front of the wood burning fireplace while watching some of your favorite tv shows. slow roasting turkeys overnight in the oven or doing that during the day while you are getting a good old fashion snow storm. lighting your favorite candles. putting a bird feeder either near or on your window to watch all the birds feeding. about march you are getting sick of this since you really want spring to come so you start to drink lots of coffee with some kick. :) just kidding but thats an idea for this winter. :) light some good incense. make some recipes that you always wanted to make once a week. my favorite part of the whole cold winter is getting in the hot tub! that warms me up and feels so great on my bones! :) now i am at the great age that those hot flashes just warm you up so much that those sub zero temps don't even cool you off that fast. now that is really amazing to me when that happens. :) well, thats my way of getting to spring. :) almost forgot you can clean out your closets and dust and rearrange things during this time while listening to some great country music since when that spring weather comes you want to be outside! see alot of stuff to do while being numb with cold! :) love and prayers

Jason Hughes said...

Okay, elj, I can get on board with the hot chocolate, but dancing around the kitchen? LOL! I'd pay to see you doing that on America's Funniest! LOL!

Ann: Remind me to call you and tell you about an ad I saw in one of my magazines about some space heater thingy that works in minutes and doesn't get too hot to touch...

Mom: You're just plain nuts. :D How about you come dust my house in the middle of winter--I may even let you play country music... :D

Anonymous said...

Ja, I love the winter months. I always have. Well, I should be more specific. I love the snow that come in the winter months. Sittig down with a piping hot mug of coffee and cuddling up on the couch with John to watch a movie... ahh...the winter months.
I love summer too. Which is why I'll miss you when you move to Hawaii. I love Pennsylvania too much to ever leave.
Love ya lots Ja!
Red

Jason Hughes said...

Oh, you'll visit me in Hawaii AND YOU'LL LIKE IT!!!

There, now that that's settled...

:D

Not to mention I'll be holding Mom there for ransom after Dad gets found in a cardboard box surrounded by cats with Cheshire-like smiles...

mom said...

hello jason! this is when i start working on a crochet afgan or 2 and by the time the real awful part of winter comes in feb. and march is when the afgan is long enough to cover you and keep you warm and you keep your hands busy while you are finishing the project in front of the wood burning fireplace while watching some of your favorite tv shows. slow roasting turkeys overnight in the oven or doing that during the day while you are getting a good old fashion snow storm. lighting your favorite candles. putting a bird feeder either near or on your window to watch all the birds feeding. about march you are getting sick of this since you really want spring to come so you start to drink lots of coffee with some kick. :) just kidding but thats an idea for this winter. :) light some good incense. make some recipes that you always wanted to make once a week. my favorite part of the whole cold winter is getting in the hot tub! that warms me up and feels so great on my bones! :) now i am at the great age that those hot flashes just warm you up so much that those sub zero temps don't even cool you off that fast. now that is really amazing to me when that happens. :) well, thats my way of getting to spring. :) almost forgot you can clean out your closets and dust and rearrange things during this time while listening to some great country music since when that spring weather comes you want to be outside! see alot of stuff to do while being numb with cold! :) love and prayers