Thoughts On Winter

I awoke today and found the frost perched on the town

It hovered in a frozen sky then it gobbled summer down

When the sun turns traitor cold

And all the trees are shivering in a naked row

I get the urge for going but I never seem to go

I get the urge for going

When the meadow grass is turning brown

Summertime is falling down and winter is closing in

Now the warriors of winter they gave a cold triumphant shout

And all that stays is dying and all that lives is gettin' out

See the geese in chevron flight

Flapping and racing on before the snow

They got the urge for going

And they got the wings so they can go

They get the urge for going

When the meadow grass is turning brown

Summertime is falling down and winter is closing in

I'll ply the fire with kindling now

I'll pull the blankets up to my chin

I'll lock the vagrant winter out and

I'll fold my wandering in

I'd like to call back summertime

Have her stay for just another month or so

But she's got the urge for going

So I guess she'll have to go she gets the urge for going

When the meadow grass is turning brown

All her empire's falling down and winter's closing in

And I get the urge for going

When the meadow grass is turning brown

And summertime is falling down

~ Urge For Going by Joni Mitchell

Every winter this is my theme song. Every winter I long for summer. My restlessness sets in and my fingers turn white. In winter, I think about the past and the things i didn't do.

When winter comes, I know I won't see the sun every day, but he will greet me on occasion, after a snow. I'll sit at the window and watch snow crystals collect on the sill and feel the warmth of the fire.

Every winter I want to spend time with my family and California calls me back.

Every winter I find myself in thrift stores searching for cashmere sweaters. My hands desperately find their way inside pockets and mittens and I wear stocking caps to bed. I've got more than enough pairs of UGG boots, the sheepskin wool doing its job. Just today, I received another pair of woolen socks, hand knit by my mother.

Every winter, scorching hot baths await me, and jojoba oil is my friend.

Every winter the crockpot stays on the counter, split pea soup is always the favorite and baking becomes a way of life.

When winter comes, Hot Yoga never felt so good and my intention for the day is kinder, calmer and the world seems more peaceful.

Every winter the cats want out. So, I let them go, and then much to their surprise, that cold and icy white stuff again! With their little paw prints in the snow, they promptly look back up at me, and I know they've changed their minds. Back inside, they tear around the warm house, yowling with joyous relief!

In wintertime, talk about the weather is relentless. On days when we get a good amount of snow, the Old Timers will remind me of the winter back in '49.

 

Every winter, I experience change and my thoughts are heavy and I paint more cactus scenes with turquoise skies. I look at the picture above, I shiver and shake my head.

When winter comes, the Nordic center opens up, the fire inside is always raging and the cross country trails are groomed impeccably.

Every winter, I pull on my wool long johns, layer up, grab my skis, and head for the mountain. In fifteen minutes I'm striding and kicking through powder, the sun is shining through the ponderosa pines, and I can't seem to wipe this smile off my face!!

What are your thoughts on winter, all you snowy owls and ski bunnies?