Monday, December 22, 2008

Gratitude Monday - Winter's Here

Yes, I am grateful that winter is finally here.
It's a good season. The land rests. The rivers are slow. The world itself is calmer and cleaner and perhaps prettier.
We in the colder climes turn inside ourselves for a bit. It's a time of thinking and creating and staying close to home, if we can.
We are past the Solstice. The days will lengthen. We are returning to the light.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh. Im one who has always bemoaned winter, the cold, the GRAY, ---all of it.

I love how you phrased it 'turning inside yourself' Leah

it's gonna be a high of 33 or so here today (cold for here) ---I wont lament instead Ill keep this in my head.

the Bag Lady said...

I appreciate the change of the seasons, too, but somehow cannot appreciate the cold! Personally, I'm glad to think of the days lengthening!

Penny said...

I like the short days too because I sleep for longer in Winter. The light will start waking me earlier now!

Definitely looking forward to hibernating with family and friends over the next week or so.

TA x

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, MizFit. Enjoy your cool temperatures.

dfBag Lady, it is difficult to find the good in the frigid temps and mountains of snow, but it's there.

Tokaiangel, winter lends itself to sleeping. Happy hibernating.

Tom Rooney said...

The older I get it seems that I can't get my hands to react to the cold any more. They get stiff and are reluctant to do what I want them to. I know it’s only December but, I yearn for warmer weather now where the sun will “bake” me back to reality.

Leah J. Utas said...

I hear that, Tom. Hands, like tools, work better when they're warm.

Crabby McSlacker said...

Hooray longer days! I'm really grateful for that.

Leah J. Utas said...

Totally agree, Crabby.

Missicat said...

Am so glad to hear the days will lengthen - it's tough when you leave home in the dark and arrive home in the dark.
Will definitely hibernate on my upcoming 4 day weekend!

Leah J. Utas said...

Missicat, going out in the dark seems to go against everything we want to do. Enjoy your hibernation.

Hilary said...

I've learned to appreciate the winter far more since I've been out walking with camera in hand.. which really is an better appreciation for nature itself. That's something I largely pushed aside in winter.. not any more.

Erin said...

I am really enjoying the cold myself. A nice fire is going in the fireplace and I'm partaking in a hot mug of coffee. As someone that detests the really hot weather, living in Texas is somewhat of a chore so I am happy as a clam, a cold loving clam. Cool picture!

Reb said...

I am glad we are past the solstice, I hate the short days and long nights. On the other hand that also means we are now in winter, no longer autumn. I just want to hibernate. I think I was a bear in a previous life.

Leah J. Utas said...

It's good to appreciate the seasons as we get them, Hilary. I think you're right. The camera helps a great deal.

Good for you for enjoying the cold, Erin. A Texas summer must be quite unpleasant for you. Glad you like the pic.

Reb, winter brings out the ursinity in me too.

Thomma Lyn said...

What a beautiful photo, and I love the spirit of your post. Winter has definitely arrived in East TN -- we had a high of 27 degrees today (last night it got down to 13)!

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, TL. Sounds quite chilly chilly down there. Stay warm.

Terrie Farley Moran said...

df Leah,

Great picture and I am so loaded with gratitude today that I could bust.

First of all, I was supposed to babysit for my two youngest grandkids (ages 3 months and 2 years) but when I got to their house, my oldest grandchild (age 6) was home sick, (but not too sick) so I had the unexpected pleasure of her company.

Then I went to the doctor where I did not have to wait very long. I took a medical test which I passed with flying colors and the doctor changed one of my meds and when I came home (THIS IS THE BEST PART) I looked the new med up on the computer and it turned out to be a different name for a med that I had a bad reaction to some years ago. By that simple step--write in name, do a search, I saved myself a ton of agony. Hooray for me!

And thanks for the constant reminder that there is much in the world to inspire gratitude.

Terrie

Leah J. Utas said...

df Terrie, sorry I missed this comment earlier. I'm so glad you saved yourself the reaction. And I'm doubly glad you passed your medical tests. That's wonderful news. And I'm glad you could spend the day with your grandchildren.