Actually, winter is pretty when you’re inside with a cup of tea and a heatpack like me.  The snow tonight looked like glitter snow as I watched it briefly with the help of my porch light.

The thing is I still dislike winter here in Michigan.  It’s not even officially winter, but it’s been so cold.  It was very chilly last week here, in the teens and 20F’s.  I noticed I had an interesting daily routine last week.  In between working on my website, giving readings, and working on writing projects, I found myself heating up a heatpack in the microwave every 20 minutes.  In between meals, laundry, and housework, I’d make a cup of tea along with the heatpack.  Then, I was using lip balm, hand lotion, and putting on slipper socks and a hooded sweatshirt at times with a robe.

One day last week, I thought I’d go for a walk–to embrace the winter.  I was all bundled up with boots, ski jacket, gloves, hat, scarf, and multiple layers.  It was mid-morning and the sun was out.  I was excited ’cause perhaps, it would be a “warm day” of 40F.  Prior to leaving, I walked out to give the squirrels and birds their daily allotment of black sunflower seed.  Just this 20 foot walk was enough to send me running back into the house.  Brr!!  I mean, “BRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!” 

So much for embracing winter…

Another day, I was thinking of my energy usage.  I had the heat cranked up a couple of days to 70-71F.  Yes, that is high in our little house.  I thought maybe one day to help the planet and to help our finances, I’d try setting the thermostat lower–just for one day.  I set it to 68F.  I usually can cope with this on days that are in the 30F’s.  But, here, it was 15F!  I don’t watch t.v. any more, so I don’t really get plugged into the weather unless I either go outside or go to weather.com.  So, I guessed the weather wrong.

I thought, “Okay, maybe I just need more layers.”  So, I put on another sweater and a blanket.  I was freezing!  Turns out I put the thermostat at 62F.  I couldn’t cope.  My body shut down on me.  I put it back to a tropical 70F.  I could think straight and I could take off a layer or two.  I was able to not have to constantly make tea for myself–just once per hour.

Then, there is the driving in snow factor.  I really refuse nowadays to drive in any bad weather.  I’ve lived through enough white knuckled moments on the roads in the winter.  Driving to meet a friend last Friday, I was worried ’cause it started to become wet snow outside after it had cleared from snowing all day.  I went further west about 5 miles and the weather became even worse–what is called snow squalls.  So, I kept driving and just as I was thinking of heading home, I went south and there was no snow at all–none, nope, all gone.  The roads were dry and so I was able to safely meet my friend for dinner.  Driving home later that evening, I noticed my area was completely dry too.  There’s a saying in Michigan about the weather:  “If you don’t like it, wait five minutes.”  Yep, works every time.

The worst thing about driving in Michigan weather is what I call the in-between factor.  When the weather hovers around freezing and there is any kind of precipitation on its way, you risk the chance of encountering freezing rain.  This is worse than any snow (save a blizzard) to drive through.  Ever been ice skating?  Think of that, but you’re driving instead!  It is not fun.  You drive 5 miles per hour and still white knuckle the whole way.

Another aspect of driving in Michigan during the winters that is not so fun is sharing the road with people who forget each year how to drive on the roads.  Many forget despite living here for many years.  Each year, there’s a learning curve when it comes to driving again.  It’s like people have to relearn each year.  I say this with a lot of love and humor.  I’m similar, but I always remember the basic laws of physics–and, well, TRACTION.  There’s a snow belt area when I drive home from visiting my mom’s house.  You always know to slow down when you start to encounter pick-up trucks doing spin outs and ending up in the ditches.  Time for me to take my foot off the gas and coast.  You never want to do anything sudden in winter driving conditions.  Slow and steady is the best rule of thumb. 

I totally get why people buy winter homes in warm places.  The lack of sunlight here can really get to you.  I have to take Vitamin D supplements half the year while living in Michigan or I get sore, tired, and very depressed.  Once in a while though, you’ll have a sunny day.  I open up all the blinds wide open to get that greenhouse effect to help lower the heating need for the day.  Sometimes, I’ll sit in the sun spots like a cat to warm my chilly bones.

A year or two ago, someone said to me that as you get older, you cope less with the cold winters.  This cracked me up because this person was maybe 5-6 years younger than me.  Hee hee!  So, I just smiled and said, “Yes, you’re right.  Every year, I get more and more fit from riding my bike and lose more body fat.  So, I lose a layer of insulation.”  Getting older has its perks like being more shapely and muscular  

But, BRRR!

I find myself making lots of curries as of late to warm me.  I remember a few years ago, I began eating raw vegan.  I was never more cold in my life eating cold food all the time.  I am grateful that phase (I mean, experimentation) is over.  How did I ever handle two winters eating raw food?  It might be a good way to eat if say you were spending a winter in Tampa!  But, not in Detroit. 

I digress…

I can’t even bear the thought of going outside at times.  Just getting the mail requires a sweater now.  I used to get it barefooted from my porch.  Not any more.  I dislike the idea of driving any place too ’cause the weather can change in a heartbeat here. 

I’m really working though to have gratitude for winter.  I get to knit.  I get to work on indoor projects, especially ones related to my life purpose.  If it were nice outside all the time, I may not ever get my book finished.  I was able to revamp my website with hubby’s help too.  I guess winter does have some benefits.  I think of animals who hibernate in the winter.  I guess that is kinda what I’m doing in a way.  You go within and withdraw a bit from regular life in the winter.  You work on projects indoors.  You do the holiday thing.  You spend time curled up with someone.

I’m so grateful that I have a warm, cozy home, especially in the winter.  As I give my spare change to the Salvation Army this time of year, I think of how fortunate I am and send blessings to all who don’t have a place to call home.  I’m so grateful to have warm food, warm clothing, and so many other blessings. 

I think I’ll quit my bitching about winter now…

Blessings,

Lisa