The ho-hums of winter! UGH. Many get the winter blues - January was good for that. The holiday hub-bub ends, and it is just gloomy and cloudy and cold. Now millions are dealing with the ick of snow and ice and cold. I guess our HUGE comfort is - this too shall come to an end. Brighter days are ahead! We can do this. In a blink of an eye, the wonders of Spring will be upon us.
A poem:
After the Winter...God Sends the Spring
Springtime is a season
Of Hope and Joy and Cheer,
There's beauty all around us
To see and touch and hear....
So, no matter how downhearted
And discouraged we may be,
New Hope is born when we behold
Leaves budding on a tree....
Or we see a timid flower
Push through the frozen sod
And open wide in glad surprise
Its petaled eyes to God....
For this is just God saying ---
"Lift your eyes to Me,
And the bleakness of your spirit,
Like the budding springtime tree,
Will lose its wintery darkness
And your heart will sing" ---
For God never sends the Winter
Without the Joy of Spring.
Helen Stiener Rice
Do not despair - all gets better. It just takes time.
I know many have depression, and this can be a bad time of the year. If you know someone who is especially suffering, please reach out to them in some small way. Small actions can mean the world.
If you are experiencing the 'winter blahs' - try to do something to put yourself in a better place.
Read the seed catalogs, listen to music, buy a bouquet of flowers at the grocery, change up your home decor to springy looking items, paint something, clean something, plan your garden. Just do something!
I like to turn up the oldies music and DANCE! No one sees me, it is good exercise, and it lifts my mood!!
So, stay safe and stay warm and KNOW that brighter days are ahead. Heck, as much as I do not like winter - even it IS beautiful! We just need to look at things differently.
In a few weeks, and it will be spring again. God never fails us - He always gives us the beauty after the blah.
Blessings to you all.
Today's post made me smile big, Cheryl. One especially long winter when we lived in Ohio had been made worse by the passing of a few dear people. I was tired of winter when another snow storm came through. When my husband got home from work, he saw all the blinds closed, felt the warmer house (I'd turned up the heat), and found me in the kitchen dancing to Jimmy Buffet while cooking dinner. I said, "I'm sick of the snow, so am pretending it's white, sandy beaches outside."
ReplyDeleteThank you for reaching out to all who are struggling with winter weather. --Elise
Jimmy has that effect!!!! LOL
DeleteThese long dark days can get to anyone - it is even worse when you add in other complications.
Glad I made you smile and remember a fun moment!
It is dark and rainy here for the next few days but the sun will shine again and the rain will bring on new growth. I love to dance, too. I always danced with my babies and toddlers in my arms and they loved it but the grandchildren don't know what to make of it. Gotta get their Mommas dancing!
ReplyDeleteYesterday I kept telling God we would gladly take warmer temps and rain for days - He had other plans!
DeleteWindy and snowing here. Been out 2X already - feeding and moving some snow. Most will get done when it stops - but I was trying to get some spots where the kitties could go do their business! They don't understand litter boxes!! LOL
Get that Momma dancing!!! It is good for the soul!
Glad to hear I am not the only one who dances for their own good!
Thanks for the great post. This time of year, I have a difficult time being uplifted about anything. My husband says its the February nutsies and the March depression I go thru each year. Your post brightened this February nutsie morning.
ReplyDeleteAaaahhh I am glad you smiled. HUGS. It is such a dreary time - I guess we need it to get to those beautiful spring days.
DeleteTake care
The seed and plant catalogs are wonderful this time of year. We are getting closer to the crocus popping up and the leaves starting to green. This is a very cold day and I'm glad we don't have to be out.
ReplyDeleteThey let the imagination run wild! I noticed tips of daffodils poking through last week! YIKES
DeleteIt is so stinking windy - wouldn't be bad if not for the wind.
Stay warm
Since I'm no longer employed and sitting in a dark office all day, I no longer get the Seasonal Affective Order that dragged me down for years. I also try to get more exercise, eat right, and have hobbies that I do primarily this time of year (quilting & genealogy).
ReplyDeleteAs the freezing rain is falling today, I started the income taxes (another sign of Spring, right?) and got them as far as I could until we get the last 1099 in a couple of weeks. My seeds from Burpee came last week (Stock for the flower beds and more of those tasty, prolific cherry tomato seeds). Worked on genealogy yesterday while keeping busy with laundry, changing beds, showering, and helping Husband shower.
To veer slightly off-topic: We are now to get only about 1/2" of ice. We've had that before with no local disruption to the electricity. The bird feeders are hanging in the carport, though I don't think any birds have found them yet. I am keeping my fingers crossed and praying that the forecast is accurate. Hope everyone else stays safe.
You got the right idea! Stay in and keep busy. I am outside every day a lot, so that helps some. I have my schedule I keep with the cats.
DeleteI am going to dust and work on floors this week as well.
Glad you down-graded a bit. I sure hope you do not lose power. Snowing a lot here, but the wind is the problem!
Take care and stay in!
I loved every bit of this. Helen Steiner Rice is a favorite when it comes to writing. Your writing ain't bad either. ; )
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement, you have excellent suggestions, and it's true. I've been watching the birds eating from my bird feeders and the art of the branches on the trees is such a neat display of God's handiwork coupled with the evening skies.
God bless you Cheryl!
Thanks. I love Helen Steiner Rice - a favorite of mine.
DeleteThere is beauty in everything if we just stop and pay attention.
Have a great day!
oh, it makes me sad that so many people don't appreciate the magic of God's winter. I don't live in a place that gets snow often so I have never had to shovel out to care for animals. I only have dogs, love cats but allergic. The dogs are inside dogs, even the big one. The two littles are even bed dogs.
ReplyDeleteI look at the winter as a time for reflection, God sends the snow to blanket the earth in his pure love, the white of the snow, then after it is still cold but he sends the sun to make it sparkle like diamonds on the ground and trees. Winter is my favorite now, when I was young it was the summer. Each season is like a life and we need to appreciate each one as we live them. Spring, when we are born, summer our youth, fall our harvest, and winter to reflect on all our joys.
Wonderfully worded. Thank you!
DeleteIt is pretty amazing to see the snowflakes sparkle in the sun. I went out at 5:30 this AM to feed the cats and it is always very dark. It almost looked like daytime - the snow made it look daylight out.
I am a huge spring lover - everything comes back to life. But without one season we would not have the others.
Thanks for the reminder
Dear fellow Texas, That is beautiful what you shared! Not snooping around, just saw your lovely comment below mine and thought it was beautiful and true too. We have five dogs and three cats, all inside including the three big doggies. : ) Cherly, I hope you don't mind me replying here. <3
DeleteNo problem - I love it. It shows we all care about each other and pay attention.
DeleteThank you for your positivity. You add sunshine to the world.
ReplyDeleteAahhhh how sweet. Thank you. Thank you for being here!!!!
DeleteWinter did go quickly for me. I do enjoy seeing each day with a little more daylight.
ReplyDeleteAt the start of winter i got my DNA done and now the time flies past with looking up all the new cousins. Lol
Delighted you can pass your days well.
My husband had a cat and it disappeared the day he died... Never to be seen again. It was myself who fed it for about 18months but im not a great lover of cats/dogs.
Take care Sylvia
Oh how fun. Have a blast looking up relatives - that is fun.
DeleteIsn't that odd. Can't help but wonder what animals really know!
I love the small amounts of extra light each day - it truly does help!
I kept myself busy today, which helps with the winter doldrums. But I do have them from time to time.
ReplyDeleteI think we all do - it is just normal. I kept busy shoveling!!! Not even a dent put in it - it keeps drifting. I am pooped.
DeleteI have made myself stay busy today, as it snowed three inches last night and I was in the doldrums about it. Then I thought get busy you.
ReplyDeleteI will trade your 3" to my almost 10"! The drifting is just nuts - there are drifts that are a foot and a half deep. This is going to be a long job! Hey, it will keep me busy! And free exercise.
DeleteStumbled on your blog thanks to Kim (Out my Window). What a beautiful post! We have very long winters in my neck of the woods. Although it was super cold today, it was also sunny. Getting outside put a smile on my face. All in time, Spring will be here...it just takes a bit longer where I live! lol
ReplyDeleteHi - glad you found your way here! When you have a moment of free time - you might want to go back and catch up. We have some fun and people give lots of neat ideas and advice.
DeleteThank you! Yes, even in the cold sunshine is wonderful. I am hoping for sunshine today, while I am out shoveling.
Sunshine is definitely natures medicine.
Glad to have you here!
I am looking forward to spring! This is a bad time of year for me because I do NOT like the cold weather, snow and/or freezing temps. Even my pup is reluctant to venture out in the cold. lol
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great weekend. Oh- Love that first picture-so pretty. xo Diana
I look forward to spring as well - my favorite time. I sure don't blame your pup!
DeleteYou have a good one
I love winter. We have cold, snow, ice and it's all glorious. I will admit I don't love our inversions we can get in this valley but those too pass. Today is glorious sunshine and 22F.
ReplyDeleteWe have a true 4 seasons here and I love it all. I lost Dad when I was a young 33yo. I will not wish my life away whether it is -10F or 112F.
For everything there is a season. :-)
It is very sunny and in the 20's here today. It is actually melting the pavement of the drive where I shoveled.
DeleteYou make a very good point - that is what we are doing, by wishing winter away.
Thanks for the smack I needed!!!!!!
I know you are a spring/summer girl. I am a fall/winter. I have great hopes for the spring this year. Now that my health is better I am looking forward to a small garden. Tomatoes, squash, okra and herbs. I have not much luck with beans or peas in the past. It is so much fun and awarding when it goes well. The happiest time was when my grandson lived here. We gardened together, he helped me plant, water and harvest. The things I did as a child that so many children do not get to experience these days. Nothing more rewarding than picking something you have grown, taking it to the kitchen and creating a wonderful meal. Blessings to you and the inspiration you share with the world!
ReplyDeleteThat is one of the things I look forward too as well. Nothing like a fresh picked tomato. Makes my mouth water. I helped my Daddy so much as a child - it brings back memories.
DeleteSounds like you have the same kind of good memories. I am glad you will have a garden this year! Maybe you can get a young one to help out once in a while. It is a good way to teach the older ways.
Thanks
My husband is painting in our sunroom where we have our office. It's a nice beige. My idea is to put up blinds, then add curtain toppers in a bright red check. We'll see how it goes!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you friend!
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
P.S. I'd love to have your email address so I can respond to your comments on my blog directly.
The room sounds like it will be lovely. I love red and white check.
DeleteI will get you that email.
Have a wonderful weekend.
I have no snow except for the two flakes Tommy saw today. But, it was in 30s and low 40s with brisk wind. I do not like the winter because I have to wear a coat! However, I can stand anything as long as the sun shines. It was gloriously sunny today.
ReplyDeleteSun can change everything. Glad you have no snow or bad weather. I don't might a coat, I don't even mind the cold - I am just not a fan of ice and snow. Ice especially! But the snow sure is pretty.
Delete