Day 366
Well, I knew it had to arrive at some point … even though I was secretly hoping it would pretty much pass us by. But it didn’t.
“Now is the winter of our discontent … ”
At least my discontent.
Winter has arrived.
I am grateful that Old Man Winter was off on vacation for the past two months as December and January in the midwest could have been brutal. The last winter I spent here (1979) it snowed 79 inches … nearly 7 FEET. 79″ in ’79 … it wasn’t as cool as it sounds.
People used to ask me why I moved away … um, HELLO?! I am not an Eskimo. And though I really love Eskimo pies … I’d rather be sitting on a beach eating one that feeling like one for four months of the year.
Anyway, I’m back and so is winter. It started snowing here on February 1st. A few inches that night … and then a few more. Despite Groundhog Phil’s prediction of an early spring, it snowed a bit more and then overnight it snowed again … and so it has continued. On and off the flakes keep coming. On and off they keep piling up. I shoveled a good 7 or so inches today … mostly an accumulation of the last few days. I keep thinking the snow will melt here. Fat chance. This snow is going nowhere.
I don’t even think a blow torch could do the job! This stuff is here for the long haul.
But, being that it is February … I can’t complain (too much) … as March will be here before we know it and the seasons will be changing, once again.
On one hand I know I shouldn’t complain as it’s been so mild. But on the other hand, I will complain because I’m done with winter. I put in my order for spring before the end of last year … I’m still waiting. If there was a complaint department for Mother Nature I’d be first in line. But, then again, on the other hand (which now makes me three-handed) … it’s been so mild that I should be ashamed of myself for wanting something other than the niceness we’ve gotten.
But still … I want green. I want water. I want freshness! I want flowers!
I saw a commercial today with a couple on a cruise ship. I found myself resenting their existence! I saw another commercial with an orca whale flipping out of the water. I found myself resenting its existence! And then I figured the only one who is really flipping out is me! I’ve got spring fever badly. I’m not a winter person anyway and the last few years the urge to have spring’s arrival coincide with the new year has been exceptionally strong.
Alas … it is not to be.
But that doesn’t make me stop wanting it … or I think almost need it. I am feeling a need for greenery and flowers, balmy air and fragrant breezes. I am needing the smell of the ocean, the sound of sea lions in the distance, the crashing of the waves nearby.
It gets to be this time of year and I need a break … if only mentally. So, I’ll grab a travel guide and snuggle into bed and let the snowflakes swirl around outside of my windows while I peruse the pages filled with information and pictures of tropical destinations near and far.
My soul yearns for warmth … and I’ll get it soon. Now may be the winter of our discontent … but spring is just around the corner.