If I had to choose my favorite season, the one I love the most, it would have to be winter. I’m not very quick to admit to this though because winter lovers seem to be a very small minority amongst the vast majority of summer lovers. At least in my little corner of the world. We can be heard whispering about it in checkout lines, and other crowded places, trying to keep our little secret so we don’t have to endure the ‘if looks could kill’ glares from those who consider us the enemy.
Sometimes I feel like I need to stand up in a support group and say, “Hi. I’m Kristy, and I love winter.”
I don’t know who this couple is, but I’d love to be walking with them!
Seriously, though, what’s not to like about the weeks between November first and March thirty-first? We experience an immediate relief from the negatives of the other seasons. Snakes, mosquitoes, ragweed, and heat indexes so high it’s hard to breathe most days. Sure we also have to say goodbye (temporarily) to fresh air flowing into our homes through wide open windows, flowers, swimming and picnics, but we get to trade them for other wonderful things.
Yes, wonderful things.
Even the most hardened cynic can’t deny the beauty of snow. I can’t think of anything I enjoy more than sitting near the window in my office, wearing my favorite sweater and fuzzy socks, sipping a cup of hot cocoa while snowflakes cover the evergreen tree, and watching as the occasional cardinal stops by to have a snack at the bird feeder.
But that’s not all.
Only in winter can we enjoy sleigh rides, followed by a roaring bonfire, huddling close to stay warm and roasting marshmallows. For those who are more graceful than I am, there’s skating and skiing, both downhill and cross-country. For kids, young and old, snowball fights, snow forts and snow angels. Let’s not forget snowmen, women, bears, and dogs either. Anything your imagination can conjure up can be constructed from snow with enough patience and help.
It’s the time of year when our ovens, crock pots and bread machines get used the most, filling our homes with the mouth watering aroma of breads, cookies, roasts and casseroles. When we can light candles to our hearts content, make use of our fireplaces and wood stoves, and just snuggle in like bears, hibernating until spring.
Yes, my name is Kristy and…I love winter! I’m not apologizing for it anymore.
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