I hate snow and cold. My frustration with the the elements came to mind yesterday as I zipped up my coat and tightened the strap on my gloves for a third time. The temperature had dipped overnight to the low teens. It hurt to even breathe. I couldn’t help but think: “Really. Really. Do we really need to give Alaska or Minnesota or the freaking Arctic a run for their money?”
As I’ve mentioned many times in the past, I love the first snow of the year. I love its majesty and beauty. I have many happy memories of playing in the snow and loving life. But, snow eventually turns into slush and mud and that’s where my love ends. When that happens, I usually start making jokes about moving to warmer climates.
Yes, I dream of walking out my front door in shorts and flip-flops and sitting on the beach. I dream of drinking frozen daiquiris and dipping my feet in the warm water. I dream of the crash of the waves and the call of the seagulls. Oh, to get away.
I was dreaming wistfully of the beach when the frigid temps pulled me out of my dreamlike trance and into the here and now. My cheeks felt like they were in a cold freezer. I couldn’t get them warm. My lungs felt like a 200 pound linebacker was lying on top of me. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t breathe.
It was a weird sensation.
As I struggled, I was reminded ironically-enough about something I love about winter. I love winter’s silence. With the low sky, there was a stillness. I couldn’t tell if we were going to get another ten inches of snow or if the temperature was going to drop another five degrees. It felt like anything could happen next.
I heard the wind rustle against the trees. I heard a small bird leave the safety of a branch to fly away to another tree. I doubt I would’ve heard the same sound in the middle of the summer. I came out to get out of the house, but I entered into a winter wormhole taking me to another time and another place. I swear I heard my heart beat against my chest.
Everything was so quiet. So peaceful and calm.
I let the silence sweep over me. I let the silence be.
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Writing from the Heart with Brian 
With the cold temps at least it’s not brown and slushy yet!
I also hate cold. I say winter should be either snow and then melt away or cold with no snow. Not both. Well, I’d take a warm winter with no snow….
Anyway, the early morning is the most beautiful part of a cold, cold day!
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That’s actually a big plus Nancy. Thank you for remind me of that. It’s been cold for the past several weeks, but it’s actually been pretty sunny. Too many gray days and I go crazy. We haven’t had that problem this year. Sunny and cold. It’s all perspective I guess. Ha, ha, thanks for the reminder.
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I’m not a winter person, and I’m especially looking forward to the weather warming after three weeks of Arctic polar freeze. But like you, there is something comforting about the quiet and calm and the peace of that carpet of white. But I also am counting down till the warmer days of Spring! 😆
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Yes, a dual approach. Thankful, but marking the days too. Summer will be here before we know it.
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Hello darkness, my old friend. I’ve come to talk with you again . . . and so say Simon & Garfunkel. This is why things get crazy in Minnesota. The sounds of silence last too long. So we don our fleece lined flip flops and pray for spring.
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Fleece-lined flip flops! I love it. And yes, pray for spring and summer. They’re coming. Soon enough. Ha, ha.
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💕
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Might take a while for the snow to melt from all the street corners, but summer will be here before we know it!!!!
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One can hope
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yes, it is very quiet in a special way that is unique. that being said, I’m ready for spring!
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Yes, I’m trying to make the best of the situation. Meanwhile, I can’t wait for spring and summer. Ha, ha.
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there’s something so peaceful about being in the cold (even though it can be BRUTAL)
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Brutal is a good word for it. I went outside the wind was picking up . . . I swear if I closed my eyes I would’ve been in the Arctic. No, no, I hadn’t flown anywhere . . but still very cold. Ha, ha.
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Not everyone loves winter like I do, so I’m glad you were able to find some positives, Brian. There’s a lot to be said for the unique silence a snow-covered landscape provides, the way sounds seem to penetrate through the fresh drifts, snuffed out by the frost-cloaked trees. There is nothing more peaceful.
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I really don’t hate it. I just get to a point where I;m like “really, again.” Ha, ha. Fortunately, the sun has been out a lot lately. I’m better when the sun is out and everything’s not so gray and cloudy. I have a real dilemma. You keep writing all these posts about Wisconsin drinks and supper clubs and places to visit. If I move to the midwest, how will I ever deal with the snow and cold? Ha, ha. I definitely gotta toughen up!!!!
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I’m tempted to say “you get used to it,” but maybe that’s not true of everyone? It’s not like I don’t shiver in the cold or slip on the ice…but I guess I consider those the cost of doing business living here, if you will! The cheese curds alone make it worthwhile, ha.
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Incredible, Brian. Your descriptiveness and transformation of mood are palpable in this piece. I can feel the silence so much that I should stop talking. Nicely done!
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You can’t beat the silence. Love this Brian, although I wouldn’t be loving those cold temperatures. I can’t even imagine it being difficult to breathe. Hang in there, I’m sure warmer times are coming.
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I sat outside for a few minutes today to read. It was 78 degrees and too hot!
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You know how to rub it in Elizabeth. Ha, ha, but yes there are times when 78 is too hot. Talk to me in a few months. I’ll be complaining about 70 degree weather again too. Ha,ha. I’m very much like the Goldilocks and the three bears. Tough to make me happy. Ha. ha.
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