In the Bleak Midwinter . . .

So the traditional folk song goes . . .midwinter, I guess, is a time when folks start to get a bit depressed and hopeful towards the arrival of spring. Not me.

Nothing bleak about this winter . . .Amanda and I are having a great time. We have gone on more snowshoe trips this winter than we can remember, and the snow keeps falling. We had a small storm yesterday, a bigger storm today, then a four hour lull in the action, then more snow tonight into tomorrow, then snow showers on Friday, then a bigger storm on Saturday night. The only downside is that I have been sick for over a week (with what is probably Bronchitis, but I wont go to the doctor until tomorrow . . .long story) and I havent been able to play (or work!) outside like I like to--or need to.

Do you get the "midwinter blues?" I'm funny I guess; I am happiest and most content in the winter, and I think its because its "the quiet season." I like to be "still" and "homebound," and winter is the season to do this. I can stay in and sit by the fire or read a book and I dont have to feel guilty about it. Plus, if I DO go outside to enjoy the crisp, cold weather (like I often do on my winter runs and snowshoes), I virtually have the world to myself, because everyone else is, well, sitting inside by the fire reading a book. The summer is both too crowded and guilt-ridden a season for me. Everyone is outside, and I find my experiences are less "meditative." I know this sounds wicked hippy-ish but part of why I love being outside is to get fresh air and renew myself. Also, during the nicer weather, I feel bad if I sit inside and watch TV or something . . .I feel society's pressure to "get out" and enjoy the beautiful day. And I dont like that.

I know I joke about "restless leg syndrome" (even though I think I have it), and one might think I would poke fun at this "seasonal affective disorder" thing too . . .but I really think it exists. For me anyway.

I admit it: I have lots of trouble with the seasons changing, I become depressed (especially when spring comes), and I sleep like crap. Its weird. As I have written before in a previous post, when the snow melts, its like ending a relationship with someone. The same is true of the seasons; I'll miss winter when she goes for I feel she brings out the best in me . . .

What do you do during the winter? Winter activities are way different than summer activites--in both the work and recreationsl sense. How do you spend your time? This is what I (and Amanda too) have done to pass the time . . .

• Watched season 1 and 2 of NCIS on DVD
• Watched season 5 and 6 of "All Creatures Great and Small" on DVD
• Pursued therapy because I spend good, God-given time watching "All Creatures."
• Cried about the writer's strike, since I havent been able to see my "Unit." (keep minds out of the gutter, perverts!)
• Read books about Chocolate Chip cookie murders, voodoo priests, Delta Force, the Irish potato famine, and Maine's logging industry
• snowshoed, ran, and swam laps at the Holiday Inn
• conversed with several naked geriatrics at the same place
• flirted with several half naked coed geriatrics in the hot tub
• moved 2.5 cord (so far . . .but we're still going) one piece at a time from the yard to the shed to the garage to the mudroom to the house
• hopelessly tried to empty the ashes from the firebox without making ashes from the firebox airborne to stain ceilings and walls
• thought about stripping wallpaper and painting walls
• endlessly poured water in the cast iron steamer atop our stove, only to STILL wake up with a bloody nose each morning (almost . . .or lately, it seems anyway)
• felt my baby son kick around in his mother's belly
• talked to my son about Chinese food we'll eat together in 2 or 3 years
• held Amanda's hair back as she's thrown up
• dreamt about June 6 . . . .

What do YOU do??