Last year was a crazy-warm winter. My friend was out working in her yard in shorts and a tank top in February. This autumn has also been unseasonably warm, and I feared it would be a repeat of last winter. Just yesterday I wore a t-shirt to walk the dog through the woods. But this morning, there's a bite to the air, the sky is capped with gray clouds, and I saw about ten flakes of snow fall. Time to break out the woolly hat and sweatshirt (no coat required, yet) and make sure I have the snow shovel parked by the door. Visions of expanses of crunchy-cold snow and Christmas lights and baked apples. I love this time of year!
At the same time, I'm woefully aware of the descent of Seasonal Affective Disorder that is coming any day now. Something about the drop in light, the grayness of the air, sucks energy right out of me, and suddenly curling up by the fire is about all I can do. It's such a contrast to the joyful energy of autumn, when every moment is spent putting up food and working in the garden. I've seen a lot of Youtube videos about how to extend your gardening season, but it doesn't appeal to me. I've gotten my money's worth out of summer, and it's time to rest. Time to withdraw, dig out the stash of books, and hibernate. I know the depression is like a blanket, covering the surface, and will go away again eventually with the return of the light. But even with that, it can't smother the deep joy and contentment beneath it. Winter is a blessing, a time of recalibration and re-setting. And a great excuse for hot chocolate.
