Winter Doesn't Totally Suck

Daisy later sprinted up one of the rows, ruining the scene. Sorry, perfect scene.
As much as anything, this is a note to myself in August of next year.


I love that somebody did this.
Future self: Here's hoping you finally lost that 10 pounds you keep talking about losing, you handsome devil!

I know you're dreading winter because it's August, and that's when you start spotting the premature changing of leaves. I'm here to remind you how good it can be.

Christmas is Christmas. You don't love it, but people seem to be in good spirits. Don't forget to enjoy seeing other people be happy.

The real fun comes in January. I know that sounds crazy, but really, we're in the worst stretch of winter and it's not bad at all. In fact, today was one of those days that you end every sentence with an exclamation point. You know what I mean!

It was glorious! OK, enough of that.

But seriously. The average high from Jan. 7 to Jan. 29 in Portland is 31 degrees. The average low is 13. Every. Damn. Day. But that's OK. Some days it will be even colder. Those, it turns out, are the good days.
Throw the stick, sir!

Today was 20 degrees for a high, according to the Time & Temp Building. You took Daisy Duke to a new hiking area in Cape Elizabeth for a romp. This is why you have a dog.

Sure, it was freezing cold. But there was 3 inches of fresh snow. Instead of the usual winter glaze of ice, it was soft crunching under paws and shoes.

The wind was still, which is nice. There are no rustling leaves in winter, just a guy schlepping along in his L.L. Bean waterproof shoes. It's so damn quiet out there and it's only 8 minutes from your house. And you can stop at Shaw's on the way home for a salad. Just lay off the blue cheese, you svelte monster.

You have to take advantage of these days, because this isn't Utah. I know you miss the mountains and hiking with Duke, Daisy's more-muscular predecessor. There's a lot to miss there. But these days are good, too, and you don't have to deal with the Salt Lake inversions. It's just not that bad.

Lens flare!
That's not a high enough compliment for a day like today, where there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Days like today are better than not bad.

There was that municipal snowblower throwing up a rooster tail of snow as he cleared off the skating pond in South Portland. People skate outdoors all the time here. That's something to like.

It's cold. The sunsets come early, but they're getting later. Take advantage of these days when you can. And seriously, lay off the blue cheese.

I KNOW SOMETHING GOOD IS
ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

Comments

  1. Catherine MorrisonJanuary 15, 2015 at 10:23 PM

    Do I detect a snow-glazed muzzle on Daisy in the "stick" photo? Remind yourself in late August that for dogs days like this one - fresh snow, crispy cold, no wind - create the perfect conditions for snorting lines of snow - the ultimate high for dogs.

    ReplyDelete

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