Winter. One of my favorite seasons here at the Schoolhouse. Comfortably cozy insulated by snow. Usually. The Almanac, depending on which you read (as I do both versions), were conflicting. I was hoping for the snowy forecast. I’m assuming my wish is not going to be granted at this point. I’m still able to see the red hues of the blueberry fields and it’s the end of December.
The beginning of December brought snow. An accumulation of 15-18 inches, it’s hard to tell exactly up here. With the strong constant winds, how much we get is questionable. We had snowdrifts up to my waist, the last snow, and it was a plowable amount. Unfortunately, day’s before the snow, it was rainy and warm. Creating a late mud season at a really inconvenient time. Large pieces of the lawn are now in a pile and ruts fill the driveway. Good thing I know a good landscaper come spring.
Christmas day we were gifted a whopping 3 inches of rain with 50° weather. Unheard of this time of year. The rutted driveway turned into a river as the water poured out of the back fields, over running the trench that diverts the water. The front lawn quickly became waterfront property. Ground frost thawed, snow melt and rain all added up to a ridiculous mess. Worse then our typical mud season.
Not 24 hours later, a cold front came in. Our river of a driveway turned into an ice rink. Top to bottom. Some sections having a good 6 inches of solid ice. I’m afraid this is how it’ll be for the remainder of the season. I’ve never needed crampons for my boots, that might change this winter. I’ve already taken my graceful slip for the year. Zamboni anyone?
With all the rain and warm temps, we lost the snow that banked the house. We rely on the snow for extra foundation insulation. The plastic banking alone just isn’t enough, although it does help. Mild winters just feel so much colder to me and my bones.
To me, winter is the time of year to get to inside projects. Settle in and read a little extra by a warm fire. Return to hobbies that take the back burner during the warmer months. Take up something new. I’ve taken up knitting as my something new. At this very moment I have totes of photos that I have been wanting to get in to albums, sitting on the table. Remember how back in the day we had photos developed and had to wait a few days to see our pictures? As an avid photographer, I have thousands. Literally….thousands. (That’s not including what’s on my countless pen drives and SD cards.) Photos can’t be enjoy if they are tucked away in totes or on storage devices for that matter. Unfortunately, I have far more pictures than albums. I have to start somewhere, the two I have will be suffice. It will be fun reminiscing as I go through them all. So many memories. Being OCD, I do, well did, have each envelope dated and titled and in order. The girls have been through them since, so hard saying how organized they will be.
I read a lot. At times, I’ll have 3 books going at once. (Which for some reason surprises people. Surprise..I write too.) All depends what I’m in the mood for. Our first winter here I read 17 books in 4 months. The warmer weather came around and reading was done solely at night. IF I wasn’t too exhausted. This summer I had my “light reading “. When we packed up the house I found my Little House on the Prairie series. I honestly enjoyed it more now then when I read it in 3rd grade. Then again, I can relate to it now too. The simple life. Just thankful we don’t have to survive the winter on potato alone and burn twisted straw to stay warm. I wouldn’t mind a horse and wagon though.
As a person who loves the outdoors, winter can be a little trying for me. If it’s windy, forget it. I’m not going out. I’m like a new born baby. The wind takes my breath away. The beautiful days we do have, I will be outside for hours, just soaking up the sun. Hell, I’ll even stand out in the rain, as long as it’s warm enough. Snowshoeing is one of our favorite winter pastimes. We’re able to get into areas, that any other time of year are impassable. Traipsing through the woods, following the tracks of wildlife, listening to the stillness and the sounds of the woods is an amazing feeling. The smell of the evergreens. The fresh, cool air filling your lungs. Invigorating. One day of getting out and your recharged. Other days, we’ll start a fire to sit around and stay warm while we enjoy the afternoon. After all the rain we had, I mentioned putting pool noodles on my snowshoes. Pontoonshoes!!
Willa and I go for a walk every morning. If it snowed the night before, even better. She likes sniffing and I like to identify the tracks that came along in the dark. At this moment we have no snow, so for me, it’s just a plain old walk. We have a very curious fox that comes in very close to the house and a coyote that circles the entire field around us almost every night/ early morning. Then we have the usual rodent tracks and once in awhile a small rabbit that comes out by the wood shed. It’s cheap entertainment.
There’s a saying that just like nature, we are meant to rest in winter. We’re not meant to grow during this time, but to reflect. I’m pretty fond of that idea myself. Come spring, there’s going to be a whole lot of yard work to be done. I’ll need my rest.
As we leave this crazy year of 2020 behind, I wish good health, happiness and love. Take time to be in the moment. It’s all those small moments that add up to the big picture. Happy New Year !!!
Off-Grid Soul 