Experiencing Winter
As we watched the season of fall come and go, there was a realization that winter was upon us. Snow was falling, temperatures were dropping, and pumpkin spice was disappearing.
I grew a new appreciation for fall this past season as I moved into an established neighbourhood earlier in the year; one that features many wise, old trees that shed their beautifully coloured leaves for all to see. This is not untouched nature per se, but it is natural and quite pristine. That appreciation does not have the opportunity to last long, however, as the trees will drop their last leaf and begin to collect falling snow on their branches.
So, rather than being crestfallen by this change, maybe we should brainstorm some ways to embrace it. Some may be new, some may be old. As humans we create tradition and carry it on. This winter, create and carry on.
Winter can bring forth new adventures and new activities. Fall is our buffer between summer seasonal and winter seasonal outdoor activities. Once fall passes we must accept the climate before us and move on.
There are many fun things to do in the winter. Snowshoeing, for example, has been around for many, many years. It has evolved into a great form of exercise, besides being a much more productive way of wading through snowy turf.
Another great outdoor adventure is tobogganing. Ok, let’s just say anything that involves moving downhill! Snowboarding, skiing, split boarding (see cool video here), tubing, and even crazy carpeting. If you’re feeling really adventurous, pull a Clark Griswold and slick up a metal sled with some not-yet-approved kitchen lubricant. Lastly (but not really lastly), just dust off the blades and head for a skate on the outdoor rink. You would be surprised at how good it feels to chop up the ice while outdoors.
Winter brings with it the need for higher (and warmer) fashion. Maybe it is the media, but winter just feels like a great time to shop! Of course there is some pressure from the Christmas season, but the feeling of shopping may have more to do with the fact that we need new clothes, and we don’t mind being in malls or stores because it’s cold outside anyways. Or, if you are an online shopper, you don't even need to leave your house! And I hear tentree has a few great pieces this season...
Every seasonal change presents new clothes wear. Whether you’re shopping thrift or shopping high end, the stores are still filled with exciting new items for the taking. Fall allows us to transfer from shorts to pants, from tees to long sleeves, but winter presents a whole new level of necessity. Bundle up out there kids!
Something I feel always coincides with winter is food and drink. There are many decadent treats only available during the season. The sugar cookies may change colours of icing, but that’s not where it stops. Peppermint mochas and chestnuts are more frequently found. Chocolates are handed out by the box, left and right, always readily available. The cold winter evenings give us that need to be within a warm environment. A cozy pub or restaurant always seems to fit during the winter months. And who could forget a traditional eggnog? Soups and sandwiches, mid-afternoon coffees and teas, are things that may go by the wayside during the summer, but are all necessities come winter.
Winter tends to drag on a bit, so it is important to try to stay busy. The season certainly passes by more quickly when we fill it with things we enjoy. This is probably why summer seems to fly by; we’re just having so much fun!
Perhaps it is time to make winter you’re fun season (at least try!). Maybe you will get to the point where you’re sad winter went by so fast and be wishing the snow and below zero temperatures would stick around just as much as those kids wanted Frosty the Snowman to stick around. You never know.
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