The Maybe-Not-So Bleak Midwinter

When the holiday season comes to a close, the wintery days before us can seem grim, dark and lonely. A long, cold winter in the midst of a global pandemic seems rather...well...like the song says, BLEAK. 😞 

We recently had our first snow storm of the season in my area and everyone was posting on the socials about how much they hated everything... shoveling the snow, scraping the ice, driving in the tough conditions, the freezing temperatures. I agree, winter is hard. But maybe there is beauty there as well? 

You have set all the borders of the earth;

You have made summer and winter.

                                          Psalm 74:17

Just as our bodies need rest from work and stress, so does the earth. God designed each of the seasons. They are all beautiful and purposeful. Instead of slipping into the default mode of complaining, why not try to look for the many blessings of winter with me!! And don’t forget to send some wintery snailmail! It is a sure fire way to spread joy in the bleak midwinter!! 

Once upon a time I was taking Lexi-the-wonder-dog out for a wintery walk. She spotted something to chase 🤪 and I could not keep up, to say the least. 🤕 I broke my arm and ended up with a cast for six weeks and a slight fear of walking in the winter. 😟  I try to battle it, however, and challenge myself to get out in nature in the winter! It is amazing and beautiful and truly a winter wonderland! 

One of the easiest (and safest) ways to interact with nature in the winter is to set up a bird feeder. I enjoy spotting my feathered friends from the comfort of my own home. The bare branches of the winter trees make it much easier to spot the birds. On a recent trip home, Murphy Boy Wonder said, “I saw two cardinals and a blue jay in the tree outside the bedroom window this morning!” 😊 One can also easily notice abandoned bird nests, which are architectural marvels of nature, too! I also think it’s interesting to note the differences in the birds’ coloring for the different seasons. Check out the goldfinch’s winter verses summer coloring. 😊

I remember one winter when I was a middle schooler. I’m not sure why or how but my mother was able to force a hyacinth indoors and she let me keep it in my room!! 🥰 Perhaps I was going through some particularly trying middle school drama and my mother sensed I needed some hope. A hyacinth blooming in the middle of winter in a girl’s bedroom is nothing if not hopeful. 🌸

I’ve never done it but I’m sure the interwebs would be helpful. I do know that hyacinth won’t bloom if the bulbs don’t get chilled enough. See? Winter is very important! 

Of course, no Mrs. Murphy list of “Winter Appreciation Activities” would be complete without a book list!! What’s better than curling up with a good book and a cup of tea while the snow falls. How about reading wintery tales such as: The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe, Murder on the Orient Express, Smila Sense of Snow, Dr Zhivago, The Shining, to name a few. Or one could always choose a story set in the tropics! Death on the Nile is a great choice. (If you can’t have warm temperatures you can at least read about them! 😎🌞 🏝) 

Snailmail is the best winter activity by far!! Take some time during the long, cold nights of winter and write a letter to someone!! Nothing warms the heart quite like an honest to goodness letter!! And don’t forget to chose a delightful, winter themed stamp! 📬😊

“What good is the warmth of summer without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?”  John Steinbeck. 

Go postal, people! (In a good way!😊)

XOXO,

Mrs. Murphy