Hibernation

 

     There is sadness in December afternoon sunlight.  A June sunset comes about 8 or 9, the December one, about 4 or 5.  In June, the day is about done, time to relax.  In December, the day is hardly through, and nothing to do but fumble through the dark to finish the day’s tasks.  Well of course we have electric lights.

      January brings a time for reflection following the madness of Christmas rush and New Years. Hibernation wouldn’t be a bad thing, maybe. But ol’ Hamlet got it right—“To sleep, perchance to dream, Aye, there’s the rub.”
     We plant growers have a hard time with winter, nothing to dig, or water, or pluck up. Our charges have passed on or gone dormant and left us to face the frozen earth alone. If we could hibernate, our sleep would probably be filled with Hamlet-like nightmares.
 
        “Nowt for it” but to keep occupied with the mundane chores of living. Here are a few:

 

                                     Hang an old kitchen cabinet in the garage

                                        to replace the old one.

 
                                         Install a new floor

 

 

                                      Welcome a drop of snow 

 

                                    Play a game of Catchphrase with friends

 

                                        Shovel some snow just to be outside in the sun

 

                                       Put up a Christmas tree

   

 

                                        Enjoy someone else’s real Christmas tree

 

                                        Be tied up by a sunny day at the end of the year

 
                                         Have a party

 

                                         Go to a concert

                                        Go for a drive—in the Snowcat

 

                                         Try to finish the floor project

 

 

                                   Stretch the carpet and have it cleaned—and survive the mess

 
                                        Take a peek at the Peak—Pike’s, that is

 

                                         Do a little singing with friends. 

    OK, winter does have a few things going for it.  Take a hot shower and sit by the fire.  Call me in March.