Well…I jinxed myself. I shouldn’t have made a crack about the cold on Monday.
Now, I have snow. It’s up to my shins and if there’s a drift my corgi, Freya, becomes submerged.
I don’t dislike snow. I actually really love it and it makes me happy. Until I have to shovel the wet heavy stuff multiple times a day for work and home.
Even then, I still enjoy opening up the blinds, making a cup of tea or cocoa, and reading a book. However, the dogs start whining and I have to suit up to go out.
In all fairness, Wade, clears most of the snow himself either by hand— which is great for me view wise— or with a snowblower. Growing up where barely a dusting of snow was a statewide emergency— I’m slowly adapting to living with snow and not just finding it pretty.
It’s not quite a love hate relationship but it gets close. Negative numbers and windchill, however, I straight up hate and Princess tends to avoid as well.
Wade just runs around in shorts sometimes— Nebraska genes or something… and Freya bounds after him.
Now, Hunter didn’t really get to experience walking in a winter wonderland last year. He thought it was cold and his time could be better spent with me in a rocking chair topping him off with fresh milk.
This year he got to experience the snow, cold, and the wet. Plus, learning how inertia works.
I got an early Christmas present of Arctix snow bibs. Paired with my Columbia snow boots and Marmot puffy the cold wasn’t bothering me— dressing for the weather does make it more enjoyable. I just needed snowshoes but Wade threatened to throw me into a snowdrift if he saw anyone he knew. I left them at home.
It was something about how ridiculous it would be to wear them in town and getting razzed for it at work— the big drama queen.
We bundled Hunter up but couldn’t find his good mittens. We figured if it was just a quick trip down the street to the park he would be okay with his cotton ones.
He was having a blast riding in his little sled. Dad would drift him on the icy pavement to his delight. Once we slide over onto the snow he was patting it and giggling.
Then dad decided to try to drift in the snow.
Hunter found he did not like snow on his face. Or being rudely slammed into a drifting turn.
But after a little cry and daddy snuggles and letting mom pull him he was back to giggling and patting the snow.
Once we got back to the house he got to play in the snow and confirmed that as long as it was on the ground to pat and not on his face life was good.
It’s taken me seven years (almost) to acclimate to the winter weather. I’m not expecting to overcome my misgivings about the weather or keep my yearly run in with SAD from happening but I’m more optimistic this year.
I have better winter gear and I’m trying to make changes for my mental and physical health. I need to lose weight and I find getting out and walking helps. I don’t want to only walk on a treadmill and making the changes to my winter wardrobe will make it better for me to go outside in -20 weather. At least according to the bibs.
Keep wandering,
BJ
P.S. it’s all fun and games until snow goes down your pants or up your nose.
The Wannabe Backpacker 