Celebrate Winter

There’s something I’ve wondered about for many years now…why do so many people hate winter?

Growing up in the South, my winters consisted of suffering through 70 degree weather and spending Christmas afternoons at the beach.  I didn’t see snow until I was a teenager.  One might think that growing up in warmth all year round would cultivate a strong dislike for colder temperatures, but that’s just not the case at all with me.

Living in the Midwest for the biggest part of my years on the planet at this point, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t give up my four seasons for anything.   I love all four of them!

Something I’ve noticed about people is that regardless of what season it is, they long for another.  Why is that?  What a waste of time.  It’s as if the season that we’re in is worthless and has no value, we can only wait for the next one.  I just can’t live that way.  I want to enjoy the season today, right now, and find the beauty in it.

Winter brings a beautiful selection of birds that you might not otherwise notice.  It’s an opportunity for us to draw them close to our homes, feed them, learn their names and watch them interact.

Winter is unique in the sporting opportunities it provides.  You can ice skate, ski, sled and hunt, but only when the snow flies.

The winter scenery is just breathtaking!  Rather than focus on the road conditions, why not look at all the gorgeous landscape that surrounds you?

Nature needs a time of dormancy for our plants and wildlife, a season of rest.  The sun shines fewer hours which might indicate that humans have permission to be a bit more dormant as well.  Perhaps this slower season of the year is designed to promote our sense of observation, as we are moving less.

Winter isn’t a big, black 12-week hole that we must survive in order to experience Spring!  I hope you’ll join me in celebrating Winter.

For the next 10 weeks, I am going to feature “Winter Wednesday” and chat about it on The Morristribe on Facebook.

Wednesdays I will write about a winter topic. Then, I would like for YOU to upload your pictures and comments about that topic on The Morristribe / Facebook.

Topics for each week are as follows, so that you can plan:

(You might want to make a copy of this and put it on your frig/bulletin board!)

1/5 – Winter Decor:  How are you filling those empty corners once the Christmas decorations came down?  We want to see!

1/12 – Favorite sweater:  Take a snapshot and tell us about your favorite sweater.  This one will be difficult for me, I love all my sweaters!

1/19 – Hot Beverages:  Tell us about your favorite hot beverage whether it’s a fav tea, coffee, hot chocolate or lattes.  It can be homemade or something you purchased.  Take a pic of yourself enjoying it and tell us about it!

1/26 – Winter Sports:  Whether it be the kids sledding in the backyard, ice skaing or building a snowman, we want to see it!

2/2  - Birds:  I love winter birds!  Tell us about your favorite bird, show us your bird feeder or share a funny story about their antics.

2/9 – Read a good book:  Tell us what you’re reading and why.

2/16 - Scenery:  Here’s a chance to show off your photography skills and show us what you consider to be a beautiful winter scene.  If you’re not into your camera, you can still upload a favorite picture from the internet.

2/23 – Hiking / Walking:  Unless it’s icy, I encourage my kids to get out and play every day, even if just for a few minutes.  Taking a quick walk around the block can be just the trick to get the wiggles out.  Tell us what works for you in this area.  Maybe you like to hike, whatever gets you moving, tell us about it.

3/2 – Pets:  Take pictures of Fido in the snow and upload them!  This should be a hoot!

3/9 – Reorganize a drawer or cabinet:  Show us before and after shots of that place you’ve been avoiding!

Doesn’t this sound like fun?  It’s a great way for us to connect and share what’s happening in our little corners of the world!

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