Hold on! Spring is coming!

With winter snows, howling winds, wind chill, icy walkways, car windows to scrape, frozen car doors, dangerous driving conditions, and high home heating bills, spring seems a long way away for those who do not like to do winter sports.

Winter sports are a delight for many! In Michigan, they help the economy boom! Michigan businesses that cater to the hearty outdoors lovers: Snowboarding, downhill, cross-country skiing, making snowmen, snowball fights, snowmobiling, artic ice baths, making snow angels in the snow, sledding, ice skating, ice fishing. Fighting the cold with hot soup, hot cocoa, hot coffee, anything hot!!! Some use an adult beverage like brandy that seems to warm them as their arteries dilate, but actually, it can cause the body temperature to fall lower in the long run. Wearing layers and layers of clothing, hats, gloves, and every kind of heated apparel. But many people do not like winter sports and, in fact, do not like winter!

Waiting for spring! Spring is coming, but it is quite a few days away. Some people try to cope with the wait for spring! Those who suffer from Seasonal Affective disorder turn to light therapy or other modalities to get through the winter. Snowbirds go south to stay warm until spring warmth returns to the north country. Some people hunker down in their homes and leave only to purchase needed supplies.
For some, it is cocooning! Turn up the heat (If you can afford to do that, put on the fireplace, bake something in the oven, put on the heated blanket, snuggle up to the dog, or have 3 dogs as the song goes. 

I enjoy sitting in my “Comfy Chair, ” looking at the snow falling and coating everything with a white shimmering coat. The evergreen trees, holding heavy snow with branches bending down toward the earth, look like the one-trip people who bring all their groceries into the house in one trip, no matter how heavy. I enjoy sipping on cabernet and dreaming about spring. I am not into winter activities. My dogs are! Every day around 3:00 pm, “Canine Hypno-Control” turns on full force! I feel pressure on my forehead around my pituitary gland. They don’t even blink! I begin to sweat as they continue to drive my thoughts….Walk…Walk….Walk! We generally go for our walk!

I do have some winter walking rules: If it is below 15 degrees or the wind chill is below 0, I have the option of not going for a walk. I usually decide no, and my dogs then lay on the guilt trip as the Canine Hypno-control is immense. It may last 24 hours until I walk them the next day or give them if I give them an extra treat.

Some people just decide to hibernate until spring. It is too long to just hold your breath until spring blooms. Whatever season you might not like, find things you can do during that time that you enjoy. I enjoy walking the dogs, shoveling light, fluffy snow, drinking a cup of anything hot after changing out of cold, wet clothes into my lounging sweats, and taking a well-deserved nap!


“Remember, every day is a gift! Some are just a little more fun to open than others. – © Joel M. Vernier 1/23/2024 Author of: “The Guinea Pig In The Freezer.” joelmvernier@aol.com