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Thursday, February 12, 2015

Winter Down Time - Myth or Reality?

I am beginning to think that the entire concept of "Down Time" during winter is a myth of epic proportions.  It's like Government Intelligence (oops - oxymoron) or that Daylight Savings Time actually saves something.  I will admit that I had a rather outrageously ambitious list of things I wanted to accomplish this winter.  How many have I accomplished?  Nada, nil, nuthin.  Except that I have read two books.  Whoop-de-do-dah.  I am either spending half the weekend in Vermont, then shoveling snow, unfreezing gates, schlepping water, raking roofs, or sitting in frozen in the doldrums of lack of light and warmth.  It stinks.

Besides my limited weekends, I am in no mood to do something creative and fun when I get home from a long, dark, hair-raising commute.  I am thrilled when I can slog through my chores without forgetting something.  Then it's almost time for bed.

I had hoped to cross one thing off my list - to see the Monet Kelly show at a local museum - when my sister comes for a visit this weekend.  However, the combination of an expected high temperature of zero, compounded by the fact that the day we can go is the day they have Family Fun Day - swarms of children and their parents will be all over the grounds and inside the museum (where it's warmer), makes it highly unlikely.  She teaches fourth grade and I am sure she would like a break from screaming kids.  I have no tolerance anymore for screaming anything (unless I am doing the screaming....Pepper....) and crowds make me itch.  I am scrambling to find a Plan B.

I could make myself sit down and map out my garden, but meh.  I could finish the living room floor, but that's not fun or creative.  I could attack the other side of my craft closet, but my moxie has lost it's stuffing.  Poop.  The only thing I seem to want to do is cook and cram chocolates down my gullet.  And I'm not even a big fan of chocolate.  Let's hope spring arrives soon, or I will need that giant tin of extra virgin olive oil I'm squirreling away in the pantry to lube up the doorways so I can get my massive fanny outside to enjoy the sun!

26 comments:

Buttons Thoughts said...

Definitely a myth a total myth:( I want chocolate too:) Hug B

Mama Pea said...

So agreed! In winter, outside chores are made about six times harder than any other time of year. Period. That and the fact that many days you risk life and limb navigating outside. So much energy is expended keeping up with the daily must-dos (or maybe it's just the shivering) that when one sits down at night to relax (reading is out of the question because the eyelids close after approximately 3-1/2 minutes), you have barely enough oompf to give it up and get your jammies on.

In the spring/summer/fall when I'm outside close to 12 hours a day, I long for the winter that will keep me hibernating inside happily doing all those gazillion things I can't get near any other time of year. And yet, it just doesn't happen the way you think it will. Winter down time? Myth.

Tyche's Minder said...

I dream about living in a house with the barn attached -- like they used to build them in New England. I'd go inside in November and not come back out until spring. How long do you think I could live on frozen pizzas?

Susan said...

Buttons - I have enough chocolate for the both of us... :)

Susan said...

Mama Pea - Do you think we will ever reach a point of near-happiness? I looked outside this morning, saw that it had begun to snow again, and almost physically had to keep myself from reaching for the chocolate.

Susan said...

TM - I think you can live for nuclear years on frozen pizzas. At least I could. I think they old-timers had a great idea there - no exposure to ice and everyone kept everyone else warm!

jaz@octoberfarm said...

yep...it is about to get really really cold here too. and we are heading to a festival in cleveland where it will be even colder. we must be idiots!

Fiona said...

Ahh the blues..or should I say grays of winter...My craft stuff is packed for the supposed move....Still some last minute issues with that although the deal is finally closed. Why does paperwork and the government make EVERYTHING harder to do and of course there is winter. It seems we all need a good dose of something! Hang in there and olive oil is good for your skin!
Winter down time is a city thing I think..you know when people have vacations that take them to places like Europe, Disney world and the like..so when winter comes around they are glad the kids are back in school and they have down time for the gym? I am rambling!

Susan said...

I suggest you and your sister have a spa day and hang the expense.

Susan said...

Fiona - I think you've hit the nail on the head, so to speak. When you homestead, there IS no down time. You just switch to doing things inside and outside. LOL, I can at least look forward to softer skin - even though there is so much more of it after this winter.... :)

Susan said...

Susan - Why, you sound like the kind of sister that my youngest sister would love! And you even have the right name!! That is what she wants to do but, alas, I am not a spa person - too twitchy (and cheap) - and there is not an affordable spa anywhere near me. I am thinking more of a cerebral spa day... :)

Susan said...

Jaz - It is so much fun for me to watch your festival-goings. I grew up in Cleveland and get very nostalgic about the place.

Sue said...

I really enjoy the winter hibernation time but I'm getting to the point of being TIRED of icy winds and slippery slopes and frozen fingers and all the other joys of trying to move around this time of year.
Hubby and I just returned from 3 days in Iowa, where we enjoyed BALMY 33 degrees. I wonder why I came home..............(to 2 degrees and winds 30-40mph)

Acorn to Oak said...

I've been feeling about the same way. I haven't been accomplishing much of anything lately. And, I don't even have cold, depressing weather to blame. Just me. I just can't seem to get in the swing of anything. Ugh!

Laurie said...

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you and your sister have a great weekend.

Michelle said...

I'm eating chocolate as I type. This has been the winter of my overcommitted discontent. Unfortunately, I see no end of overcommitment in sight....

Sandy Livesay said...

Susan,

The temperatures are changing again. I'm outside this afternoon covering what was planted out in the garden with 2 inches of straw. Suggestion, since your weather is changing and there will be all kinds of kids running around at museum. Why not create a nice evening at your home with a meal, maybe some wine, and then have your sister help you with any project which requires more than two hands........and I'm not talking about shoveling snow..............LOL!!!!!!
How about a craft project? Just being together with your sister makes for a great weekend :-)

Susan said...

Sue - Isn't it something when 33 degrees sounds downright hot!?! I would give anything for an overnight low of 20. I know things will start shifting soon, but this month is always the longest...

Susan said...

ATO - After go-go-going so much, it's no wonder that you need some 'off' time. I bet that, once we get through February, we all will perk up!

Susan said...

Laurie - Thanks, it will just be so much fun to spend a couple of days with her! I usually get an overnight if I'm lucky, as I have to 'share' her with my parents.

Susan said...

Michelle - I seem to be fueled by chocolate this year. Odd. I hope your overcommitment is eased soon. It's so hard to shoulder the burden of job, home and farm.

Susan said...

Sandy - I found my pristine Scrabble board -- look out! I have some comfort food on the menu and the dogs adore her. I think we will follow your suggestion and burrow inside.

Unknown said...

Too much snow and crappy roads! Is there somewhere else out you could go? Do movie and a meal out? Get a massage, go swimming (indoors!)? Something to break the monotony? I'm bored and home with the croupy crud today~~~ meh~~~

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

I vote for more cooking and chocolate too! Tonight, on the wonderful *ahem* Canadian prairies we are to hit (with the wind) -43 celcius. *sigh*

2 Tramps said...

Listening to you all talk about winter has me jealous. We aren't having any here like we should. I would like to hibernate but can't do that when it is so nice outside - 63 right now. I just put my brand new snow shovel away - sad.... But I feel the blahs like you do - even with the sun. I have projects piled up and just keep leaving them to grow. Chocolate? Trader Joe's dark chocolate sea salt caramels can help with that urge!

Cat Eye Cottage said...

I can do chocolate in any season! I don't think there is a winter downtime. I end up doing all the crap I put off in the summer because it was too hot. I can completely understand not wanting to be in a room full of screaming kids.