February 21, 2014

The Heart Has Its Seasons


There's talk of a new storm before we've finished shoveling out from the last. I'm keeping score in this season long battle of the driveway versus James. Now an obstacle course of frozen humps and mounds that sends one of us flying with every attempt at the car, the driveway is certainly winning. I've resolved that we are being punished for an extra week-end away, the endless cycle of snow, rain, flood and freeze must have seized that moment to run wild without chaperon. Poor James, chipping and shoveling and dragging around buckets of salt,  no match for a shady driveway and a relentless winter. 

A loner by both nature and nurture, I actually welcome an icy front stoop. Clearly it mandates another day indoors for us; decline invitations for play-dates, take baths at noon, bake and eat and bake again, a fire, a puzzle, a project... punctuated by the occasional roll in the snow. I do know how to pass the time in some unforgiving weather.

Breaking with tradition, my little boy loves being surrounded by people. He thrives with browsing shops and always prefers eating out. 'Can we go down town?', he'll ask, though he's never certain where that might be... 

So when it hit 48 degrees on a Thursday and the skies were clear and blue, I broke out the double stroller and remembered that I live in a city. Even for an introvert, that can be a good thing. There is joy to be found amongst the energy of people, even strangers. Especially strangers. Debating options for lunch, browsing through a bookstore, stumbling into a museum, these are true luxuries in the depths of winter.

This season has a lot of cold and dark left. Every melted puddle our sunny day granted will undoubtedly revert to ice, and I will find more excuses to close the doors and hide beneath wool blankets. Still, I'm grateful our hibernation comes by choice. Staying in feels all the sweeter when I can see the path out, buffered by a good coat of ice and a slippery stoop.

8 comments:

  1. This winter has been rough! We are experiencing a few days of warm and sunshine before it's supposed to get wintery again, so we too are out and about a bit. I think it's great that you find the good in the sometimes-isolating weather. I struggle with it, being an extrovert, but surrounded by little people, I am laughing and building cardboard rocket ships and making complex indulgent desserts for just our family. It can be good to be stuck indoors, too, can't it?

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    1. Truthfully I love it, not so much the inside part, but I really thrive being alone (although not sure being with kids is alone exactly). I have to make a point to schedule plans with friends at least once a week or I'd just fill my life up with 'me'. I am always happy once I'm hanging out though, and hopefully decent enough company that no one knows I had to will myself to socialize :) Your activities sound perfect. It has been a long winter, and I'm not making any bets that we're done. I seem to always come to a place of acceptance by mid-February ;)

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  2. Cambridge :) That was a beautiful day! I love that you love home.

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    1. Yes I needed that day to get through this winter! Were you in Cambridge as well?

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  3. I am a loner too. But I also love to get out and explore. And I find winter much more tolerable in the city as well. Our walkway is the worst it has ever been this winter! And we have never bought salt. I don't like it for the dog's feet and the natural stuff I like sold out before the December ice storm.

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    1. I think James actually is using the natural stuff. We are generally very much a team when it comes to maintaining the house, but the snow and ice situation is allll him and I have no desire to know what he's up to :) Hope your walkway thaws a bit!

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  4. I'm a bit of an introvert, too, but my kiddos are just like W. They want to go! somewhere! anywhere! now! And I'm perfectly content stoking the fire and getting out board games. You do make me miss living in a city, though with all the talk of museums, bookshops, and restaurants. Enjoy your winter respite!

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    1. Oh yes board games, that's a perfect day for me! It is nice having access to so much culture. I love the great outdoors, and so I spend a lot of time ensuring we all get our dose of nature, but it's good to remember all the benefits of city life too. I would miss them if I really was in a more rural area, that's for sure ;)

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