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“Winter has the first kiss and the last laugh.”
The Future of Ice, A Journey into
Cold by Gretel Ehrlich
Such truth this line holds! I have some affection for winter
and always look for January to be a personal hibernation time. This year death
complicated my retreat month for the second year in a row. Okay, I just went
with it. While others trumpeted the joys of warm, spring-like days at the end
of January, I tried not to be sour about the unseasonal days. I got as much sun
as possible, but I knew it was a trick and a will-be-harmful trick to my body.
January cold and snow I can do and the darkness I can deal
with for a while. But by late February or March, I begin to crumble. This year
will probably be worse as my whole body seems like it is developing a form of
jet lag due to the odd weather patterns. It is hard to believe what S.A.D. does
to people. It is called Seasonal Affect Disorder, but I think it should be
labeled a Disease because the lack of good sun rays and too many truly dark
days makes people sick! If you have never had this disease, you don’t know how
it feels. It is not too strong a statement to say you “hurt” inside; it isn’t
just feeling blue.
Today I read a line attributed to a Buddha, “Be your own
lamp…” Ah, if it were only that easy. I
try hard to be my own lamp, but as I age it gets harder to do. Besides, my own
lamp has little to do with the actual length and strength of the sun’s yellow
rays. With S.A.D. you stockpile things in autumn for winter. I did well on that
one in the fall. I managed to not fill up the whole house with food and paper
goods. Of course, the house was in construction status and I had things stored already
in places like under the couch, on the deck, and in the bathtub…no joke.
Another thing is craving carbs. I failed on this one miserably. Of course, Christmas
makes that harder, but the result is I feel like a tightly aired soccer ball free
floating down a spring freshet!
Yesterday I put away the rest of the snowmen and holly
branches. I knew better than to make things look like spring as it is a long
way away…over 40 days. But I put an apple blossom wreath where I could see it
while in the kitchen and set out a rabbit or two. I will do my best while in
this winter season. But now, my wick is low and I had better go turn it up so I
can be my own lamp today! A good book should help, don’t you think?
Welcome to February!
6 comments:
I am halfway through Jodi Picoult's "Leaving Time." It's really good so far (she hardly ever disappoints).
Oh, no! Don't put the snowmen away. They are so jolly. Bring out the red and white of Valentines. The white should brighten up the inside of the house. My snowpeople stay around till spring "melts" them. Sorry you are afflicted with S.A.D. I sat out in the warmth Friday and pulled in lots of Vitamin D (I hope). I have nothing on my front windows except blue glass and doo-dads, but I live far enough off the road that it's not an issue. Hang in there, writer friend.
A good book always helps. And is non-fattening. Addictive, but non fattening.
Hugs.
SAD is a nasty thing indeed. Chin up. The sun will come back.
Thanks for dropping in on me Under The Porch Light.
It will be springtime before you know it, Claudia. That's what I keep telling myself, anyway. :) Best remedy for me is always hot coffee or tea, a cat in my lap, and either my laptop or a good book.
Oh Bookie. Wish we could sit down and have a cup of tea together. Sometimes I feel sad in the winter, too. The darkness is hard to swallow.
Glad you put up the spring wreath. Susan p.s. Thanks for your faithful visits.
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