Joy of Winter

“What joys?” you say! The season when the weather is the news and
provides a handy excuse for all that ails mind, body or soul is not
often viewed as a joyful time of year. But the majority of readers of
this article will be Aucklanders and we live in a temperate, verging
upon tropical, region.

The crux of the matter is that “there ain’t nothing you can do
about the weather” and nature will continue to have her way with
us. While humans may have expanded their power into the world
of nature in multitudinous and often disastrous ways, the weather
remains resolutely out of our control. So stop fighting and enjoy
it! What we all can do is adopt an attitude of acceptance and indeed
seek ways to enjoy the DAY whatever the wind may bring us.

Complaining about the weather is surely a fool’s pastime and can
only exacerbate the perceived unpleasantness.

In the eyes and minds of children, winter is full of opportunity
and tactile pleasures. Running through puddles, collecting autumn
leaves, muddy pleasures, rainy sports days, the terror and delight
of thunderstorms and lightning, soup and hot chocolate on a dark
afternoon. I remember hiding my shoes in the letterbox (duh) to
enjoy a walk to school through the frost.

Sleep is a pastime I personally enjoy very much and winter provides
a great excuse to indulge in more of it. Longer, colder nights means
more time spent indoors and more blankets on the bed. Make your
bed a bastion of comfort and healthy, restorative hibernation. Put
a lover, animal or child in it, pile on the layers underneath as well
as on top for improved insulation and don’t forget the hot water
bottle. If you do use an electric blanket, please turn it off (preferably
at the wall) before you get in. The electric bed may actually be a long
slow silent cousin of the electric chair, so if you don’t fancy being
fried, avoid it.

Keep feet, head and kidneys warm, as these are areas of great heat
loss and cold infiltration. Hats are sexy! Ugg boots may be a fashion
enigma but they are a blessing through and through in the depths
of winter. You can put a little cayenne pepper in your socks and rub
warming liniments on your lower back if prone to excessive coldness.

Winter, bless your heart, you are a
great excuse for cuddles, fires, soup, early nights, scarves,
cardies, duffle coats, dodging social obligations and the
odd sick day. You make me toughen up, and remember
that against nature I have no power but the power to
remain cheerful and resolute regardless of the conditions
I find myself in. Thanks Mother Nature, you RULE.