We are in the deep freeze for sure! Cut it out, Elsa, enough already! It’s cold outside, it’s cold everywhere. And my home is no exception.
The one place that seems to still be warm is inside everyone’s hearts as the holiday season rapidly approaches.
We have so much to be thankful for, a sentiment kicked off by the Thanksgiving celebrations almost a month ago, and now all of those thoughts seem to come to fruition over the next week or so.
The end of December is always a wonderful time because we have the opportunity to reflect. In some ways, it’s as if Mother Nature imposes this self-reflection time by cleverly making it harder to be outdoors and preoccupied. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy being cozy inside on days like this?
I know what you’re thinking: as a skater, don’t I love this weather? Well yes, it’s a fantastic reminder of all of the wonderful times I’ve spent on the ice. But truth be told, when it’s this cold, skating outdoors really isn’t a lot of fun. You can glide around and enjoy yourself, but it’s much more difficult to do any kind of athletic skating. And because I get to be on the ice for so much of the year, I’m not in a great rush to go out and be part of it if I don’t have to!
I know we think this is bad, but we’ve had worse! The coldest temperature ever officially recorded in the State of Connecticut is -32 degrees, which occurred on February 16, 1943, in the rural town of Falls Village, located in northwestern Connecticut, about 50 miles from Hartford. See, I already feel toastier knowing that!
The roses at Rosebrook Gardens now have extra thorns, made of ice. While that could sound like they’re more formidable, like so many things, it’s all in your point of view. The sunlight and the ice together make ordinary objects appear to be lit from within. Along with this bitter cold comes beauty. The wet weather has been captured in beautiful ice as it froze. It creates such gorgeous vignettes.
Winter travel always has its challenges. The week before Christmas it’s bad enough with the extra volume of shoppers on the road. But we are very fortunate, at least near my home, that the icy patches on the road are fewer and farther between than expected. So it makes it tempting to get out and be in the neighborhood. There are one or two small last-minute things I would like to get before the holidays begin. And you know me, I love to shop local, so this cold snap is even a better incentive to stay off the main roads and stay downtown.
I don’t think the cold weather bothers Daisy at all. She always longingly looks out on the frosty ground, and can’t wait to run around in it. She would be happy lying on the grass in this weather! So I have to keep an eye on her and make sure that she comes back in right away. Good thing that “want a treat?” is still a great incentive!
Speaking of indoors, I hope you are able to spend as much time there as possible between now and the year’s end. No matter where you live, may the coming days find you with those you love—that’s where the true warmth always is.
