Wind, rain, and a chill in the air…
It Feels Like November
More and more trees have dropped all of their leaves. The weather forecast includes probable snow for tonight. And brownish grey is the primary color of the tree landscape in our neighborhood.
Big heavy sigh…
I knew it was coming but put it out of my mind. Now I am working up my courage to go out for a chilly walk on a gray November day. I’m not yet ready to don my winter coat but with the wind and the 40 degree temperature, there is no doubt in my mind that it will be a chilly walk, even with layers.
“How I wish to fly with the geese away from dreary November days, the “freeze-up,” and cruel winter. Away from loneliness, isolation, and anxiety bred by blizzards. Most every local person I’ve talked to grudgingly admits to an autumn apprehension. It is part and parcel of an Adirondacker’s psychological makeup. The geese contaminate us with this strange depression on their southbound flight and cure us with their northbound. In between, we try to tolerate winter, each in his or her own way.”
― Woodswoman I: Living Alone in the Adirondack Wilderness
Bloom Where You Are Planted
I read an article yesterday that said that moving to a warmer place does not make one happier than living through the four seasons, even when one dislikes winter. It turns out that it’s better to learn to love where you are planted. And perhaps to take frequent short visits to warmer climes.
And I think that is true for me. Moving elsewhere does not interest me. I love living in Minnesota for most of the year. Winter is the only season that I don’t like. And even winter holds some delights. The beauty of freshly fallen snow, bright January days, curling up in a chair with a good book.
“But there is always a November space after the leaves have fallen when she felt it was almost indecent to intrude on the woods for their glory terrestrial had departed and their glory celestial of spirit and purity and whiteness had not yet come upon them.” – L.M. Montgomery
I grew up in Iowa farm country and moved to Minnesota in my early thirties. For a long time I resisted moving north because, you know, snow (and cold). But finally, in order to find tech jobs for both myself and my husband, we moved to the Minneapolis area.
Surprise! I love Minnesota so much more than I loved living in Iowa. The trees, nature, and lakes abound here, whereas in the part of Iowa where I grew up the main thing one saw was corn fields.
So I mourn a bit in November and then soldier on through winter, knowing that spring will come again. And though I hate the cold I plan to head out as often as I can for daily walks through winter wonderlands.
How are you doing this gray November day? My you find beauty in the bare trees and blowing leaves.
May you walk in beauty.
Note: today’s photos are some of what I gazed at through my windows this morning.
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