Winter Highlights
what was good in the past season
Spring will not be here in Montana anytime soon at least not the blooming and greenery that are generally associated with spring. My four-year-old declared, “I want grass!” when I insisted on socks and boots the other day.
Winter may not allow us access to grass, but it has many good things. This week, in an effort to focus on the good and not just the negative in the world, I will share a few good things from winter.
Fleece-lined pants have been the staple of my wardrobe this winter. It’s a good thing I don’t live somewhere fashionable—also wool socks and wool slippers.
While I have knit socks, this winter I have become obsessed with knitting and crocheting hand towels from cotton yarn (do not use acrylic or wool for things that will frequently get wet).
Reading will always be essential to me, and having the Big Read project has been a good way to break from the cycle of religious/spiritual books and romance novels that have been my main rotation of late. My taste in books is eclectic.
Candlelight and tea are a forever favorite part of the dark winter nights.
Winter school sports was a transition from boys’ basketball to girls’ basketball, and it has been a roller coaster of a season. I have learned a lot more about the sport in the four or so years that we have been doing this. Sitting in bleachers for two hours at a time multiple days a week, is a pain, so I am grateful for my regularly scheduled visits to physical therapy.
Just this past weekend, my oldest and I went to watch skijoring. It involves skiers and horses.
All in all this winter has been fine on a local level. It is the national level that keeps me in a more anxious state. So we spend time with our friends and neighbors, focusing on the ways we are part of community around us. Our churches, our schools, our random winter sports and carnivals, these are the ways we grow and thrive.
For the Ears
Finding things to listen to that keep from despair has been really important this winter. I have some podcasts that provide levity, music for soothing the soul, and some for releasing angst.
A podcast about books between two friends always makes me wish I had more people to talk to about the books I read.
Conversations that are centered around entertainment are providing a valuable service in these chaotic times.
For the Eyes
Staying well informed is important, and there are several substacks that do an excellent job of presenting information that is well researched.
For the Taste Buds
Meeting friends for coffee is one of the best ways to get me out of the house on a wintery day. My small town boasts several drive-thru coffee shops, so it is a good practice to park my car and drink coffee from a mug rather then a to-go cup.
May this week bring self-control to your senses and your soul.