Friday, February 8, 2013

Winter Doldrums

As I sit by the bay window in the living room,  the fog rolls in once again and turns the view to a black and white photo. Nothing moving, just enshrouded stillness.  At first, it was beautiful. Now, tiresome. In fact, I'm sick of it.  Where is the sun? I need color and light, I need the days to lengthen and become warmer. I miss mornings in my garden and evenings around the fire pit.  I miss shorts and swimsuits and sweating.
This has become a very long winter. It certainly isn't the worst one we've seen, but it is grey and foggy, there has been snow and ice up here on the hill making it impossible to get outside to work or play.  We need to drive to the barn because of the layer of ice that makes walking hazardous.
Perhaps it is because I am home now, having retired in September. No more forty- plus hour weeks under a fluorescent sky, with no time to even think about outdoor fun.  So, here I am, ready to do all the things I put off for this time,  and the winter weather laughs at me.   It's been darn depressing.
The groundhog did not see his shadow, so I am hoping for Spring to come early....maybe tomorrow. Meanwhile, I am trying to be productive by cleaning places in the house that rarely see mop or broom, emptying closets of items that I had hoped would fit someday, and planning the garden and greenhouse chores that will have me spending delightful hours outside in the dirt.