Words and thoughts on Winter comfort.
I’m sitting here, listening to the sounds of the rain and melting snow outside. Falling from the house and onto the leaves covering the ground. The light of my lamp reflecting off the window pane, but not able to conceal the dark of the night. Bella is curled up, sleeping near to my chair. Molly on her blanket, warming from time outside barking at the dark. My coffee hot and close at hand. Contentment magnified.
I make it no secret that Winter is not my favorite time of year. I simply do not do well in cold temperatures. I don’t care how many layers of clothing I put on, if I get cold I hurt all the way to the bone. Therefore I try my best to not get cold. I hide here in the house as much as possible. I keep a fire built and the thermostat set to keep the house a certain temperature. My son merely shakes his head, goes into his room and opens windows. He is my opposite. he has no idea how blessed he is to have that incredible tolerance for cold.
There are however, a few things I do enjoy about Winter.
That here, Winter really doesn’t last that long.
On good years, the really cold weather can be late in coming and early in leaving. I don’t actually count down the days, but I do watch the calendar. I do watch for the appearance of the first blooms of Spring. There is also the knowledge that what I consider cold, isn’t even close to the real cold in other places. Places where if for any reason I found myself, I would not step foot outside for any reason other than to return home.
Snow.
We don’t often get a measurable amount of snow here so when it starts falling I get excited. I love beyond love watching it falling. I would be content to one level to sit and watch it fall for hours, even if there was no accumulation. Even though I hate cold, I love getting out in snow and taking photos. Snow adds something magical and amazing to photos. When you are out walking in nature, feeling the snow falling on and around you, seeing it draping everything with that white blanket, brings a special feeling.
Soup.
Especially home made soup. The kind that fills the house with that special aroma. It doesn’t matter the type, be it potato, vegetable, beef, what ever you prefer. Add a grilled cheese sandwich and you have a meal fit for royalty. It is also very filling. One bowlful and I was satisfied and content. Even my son, who doesn’t eat vast amounts of soup, is working on his second bowl. This batch turned out exceptionally well.
Hot cocoa.
That hot, sweet treat, whether milk chocolate, flavored or with marshmallows. That treat that also fills the house with that special aroma. That treat that brings a relaxing moment of peacefulness.
Waking up in the morning to a cool house and being able to snuggle down under the blankets in that warm bed. The get that one more dream in before you know its time to get up and begin the day.
The pandemic cost me my job. The pandemic took a lot of things away from all of us. Live events such as concerts and sporting events. Worship services have changed. Going out to eat, shop, exercise, has changed. But with all the pandemic took, it left something as well. A better understanding of how to be happy and content with what we have. How to enjoy the simple things and be content with a smile.
Words from The Dirt Road 