Cold Hands, Warm Heart
I used to say things like, “I could never live anywhere that didn’t have the four seasons.” Meaning snow, of course. The older I get, the more I hope to never say never, because right now I feel like I could live somewhere without the four seasons, very easily.
Yes, I ski. Yes, I get out during the winter. Yes, I do think snow is pretty, especially on the mountains on a clear day. But I have to say, the dark that comes with the cold around here makes me irritable, and the cold can be painful for someone with as poor of circulation as I apparently have. My hands double as ice cubes for most of the winter. I don’t even need to get an ice pack for an injury. I just put my hands on my neck or my knee, and get immediate relief. I wonder if that’s what they call a healer?
Unfortunately for Doug, I sometimes try and warm my hands or feet on his body, and he yelps like an animal in pain every time. I just don’t know why. Huh.
As I’ve noted before, amnesia sets in around here once the weather starts to warm up a bit, and you forget that you ever had thoughts about living in the South Pacific because summers are so perfect. But right now I wish I was a snow bird, and could fly until I felt the sun on my face and heard waves crashing from an ocean nearby. Wouldn’t that be lovely?
Sphere: Related ContentTags: Montana, seasonal affective disorder, travel
March 21st, 2010 at 5:00 pm
January 28th, 2010 at 6:40 am
I find myself saying the same thing.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:46 am
Move out to Seattle! The temp is usually between 40-80 degrees and if you want to ski you just drive an hour up into the mountains.
January 28th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
That's why we schedule a trip to the beach in January…every year…without fail. That's all I need to get through the winter. I am always so glad to be home. Or you could be a snowbird like half the population of Montana!
January 28th, 2010 at 9:25 am
I’ve never liked snow, so I would have been happy to have just three seasons. There doesn’t seem to be a winter where my daughter lives (and also Jan) in So. California, which probably explains why way too many people live there far beyond the carrying capacity of the state. I loved visiting, but felt crowded. Plus, a little rain sends them into a tailspin. The down side of lovely weather is that you’re elbow to elbow with your neighbor, while in Montana you have room to breathe, even if your breath forms icycles!
Janelle
Let’s move to Tasmania. It has a nice temperate climate, and not too many people.
January 29th, 2010 at 7:01 am
Let me echo what Cathy said – I’m in sunny central FL, where we had a week of highs in the 50’s for our winter. I’m so ready to be somewhere with season’s, and yes, even snow. This winter has been better, because I’ve been in snow for most of it, but, it’s weird – whenever I come home, and sit out in the 80 degree heat, I get homesick for a place I’ve never lived.
Maybe we ought to switch houses for a while? I understand that feeling of homesickness for places you’ve never lived. Come out to Montana, we’ll show you some snow! Janelle
January 29th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
“Cold Hands, Warm Heart” is a Brendan Benson song! Are you familiar with him? He’s one of my favorites.
I’m not! I’ll have to find him on itunes. My friend Cassie gave me that phrase. I seem to use a lot of song titles as blog titles. Hmm. Janelle
January 31st, 2010 at 11:32 pm
In my misspent youth, I lamented the lack of seasons in SoCal. I’m so over that and don’t even have any cold weather clothes to wear when visiting the fam. I love fall and live in the only zone in SoCal where lilacs can grow. The trees also turn colors, so it’s ALMOST Vermont, though with lots of sushi bars.
Mmm … Vermont with sushi bars. SoCal is intriguing, but I probably wouldn’t fit in with all the glitz and glamour. Janelle
March 11th, 2010 at 1:51 am
Hahaha. It is all so very true! I try to warm my hands on Nick as well–he is always warm, like an electric heater. He also yelps quite loudly. He especially does when I hug him and my nose (which somehow gets very cold) “accidentally” brushes against his neck or shoulder. Miss you Janelle!