Winter Blues

As much as I love all of the seasons, winter is the one that drains me most. It's too dang long! Yesterday was one of those dark, cloudy days where the sun never seems to light things properly. It's like working under an oil lamp in a dim room. Our winter here in Northern Ontario has been mild with not much snow. When this happens the streets are bordered with grey banks of frozen dirt. It melts enough in the day to create frozen pools overnight.

I've been reluctant to get outside in this gloom but it only makes matters worse. I'm behind in my yard work - that is picking up the "land-mines" that my two springer spaniels leave in the snow. A couple of days ago I could have harvested them like grapes, but now a few centimetres of snowfall have effectively covered up my "unfinished business". Now they'll be waiting for me in a month or so and it will be a bumper crop by then... Talk about a "dirty secret".

Having gotten that off my chest, it is clear that I need to get outside. I'll grab the snowshoes and the dogs and wander off into the "un-sunset". It will be rejuvinating. Despite the aforementioned gloom. There is lots to soak in. Snow hangs on the evergreens and if I'm lucky they'll be some hoer frost on the bare hardwood branches that makes them look like etched glass. Every now and then you can get a spectacular picture if the lighting is right. It's quiet, cool but not cold, and you can really unwrap your inner thoughts.

For the winter blues, getting outdoors is just the ticket.