Surviving winter, the most misunderstood season of them all, requires wisdom, fortitude, and a tenacious sense of humor. Otherwise, spring is going to be a long, long time in coming.
Case in point…
Bomb Cyclone – Arctic blast – Flights Cancelled – What else ya got?
“Well, Hello Winter! So glad to see you again!” Who-ever-says-that?
This morning’s headline read, “A ‘once-in-a-generation’ winter storm will impact nearly every state and cripple Christmas travel.” I’m now thinking Robert Frost got it wrong when he wrote, “You can’t get too much winter in the winter.”
Yeah, I don’t think so, Mr. Frost!
With a forecast like that, most of us are feeling more like Carl Reiner… “A lot of people like snow. I find it to be unnecessary freezing of water.”
And like Dave Barry when he said, “The problem with winter sports is that—follow me closely here—they generally take place in winter.”
Henry Rollins almost inspired me with this approach, “In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move.” Well, Henry, that’s because your joints finally thaw out enough to move.
The Winter Solstice was only yesterday and we’re just getting started!
Changes in seasons can feel like they sneak in overnight. Thanks for that rude and rather abrupt entry. You do know we were just getting used to that early cold snap you sent us back in November, right?
Some believe a good, long winter makes us better humans. Maybe you’ll find keeping Tim Allen’s insight in mind would be useful, “Winter forms our character and brings out our best.” Keep that in mind while you’re stuck in an airport or digging your car out of a drift. You’ll feel better—eventually.
Okay, okay… maybe I’m being unfair.
Truth be told, I like winter a lot more than I’ve let on. Here’s the thing, how can I lay on the I love winter praise with this big-assed storm wreaking havoc?
Surviving winter is a matter of perspective.
I’m going to take a stab at this wisdom thing. With the Winter Solstice behind us and three or so months of winter still ahead of us, love it or despise it, we would do best to embrace old man Winter and his antics.
As I was poking around the internet, I also found some amazing, heartwarming quotes. I was reminded of my most favorite wintertime-only experience by Carol Rifka Brunt, in “Tell the Wolves I’m Home,”
“There’s just something beautiful about walking on snow that nobody else has walked on. It makes you believe you’re special.”
And the winter version of simply, “hanging out.”
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” —Edith Sitwell
Now, find comfort in knowing, “No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” — Hal Borland
This is my favorite, “In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” —Albert Camus
I found it interesting to see the many ways people around the world celebrate or otherwise embrace the Winter Solstice. For me, I always celebrate one thing about the shortest day of the year—the days are finally going to get longer once again. And that’s worthy of some winter cheer in my book.
Big snow? Be safe. Stay home. Build a fire. Curl up. Enjoy!
Be untucked.
p.s. Thank you for reading LifeUntucked in 2022. It really means a lot considering you have over 31 million other choices. I strive to make it one of the most helpful and entertaining blogs in cyberspace. Your thoughts and comments are always welcome!
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