Ten Things I (Keep Trying to Tell Myself I) Still Love about Winter Late into It February 25, 2011
Posted by indigobunting in Uncategorized.trackback
1. Cross-country skiing. The snow is falling heavy, we’re supposed to get 7–14 inches, so I may even ski today.
2. Snowshoeing. I always forget how much fun this is. Need to get those snowshoes on again soon. Maybe today.
3. Ice skating. It’s pathetic how few times I’ve made it to the rink this winter, and it closes (until a short summer season) at the end of next week. But I don’t get into town as much as I used to, and I’ve been having trouble getting psyched to exercise in the cold—even indoor cold. Still, when I go, it makes me ridiculously happy.
4. Common redpolls. These adorable birds show up at my feeder only at this time of year.
5. Soup. I have two gourmet neighbors who sell weekly offerings by the quart. One even delivers. I’m kind of in awe of them. And I’ve made some pretty good soups myself this season.
6. SmartWool socks. I splurged last holiday season and bought myself eight pair and even received a pair as a gift. That’s a big chunk of change. But I love my socks. (Another friend gave me a pair of cashmere socks—also yum!)
7. Ibex woolies. My silk long underwear was deteriorating rapidly with runs and holes, so I bought a pair of Ibex bottoms (I still like silk tops). Again, $60 seemed a bit steep, but these are fantastic and worth every penny.
8. The floor at yoga class. Radiant heat.
9. Martinis. I like them all year round.
10. Animal tracks. Except for mud season, the best viewing of where animals have been and which way they went is now.
Route 153 
I have 4 pair of the good smartwool socks and three pairs of the thin ones. Don’t bother with the thin ones. I went through the soles in 6 months. But the good ones, the thick ones? They are my friends.
Juncos. I will miss them when they go, such cute little round birds eating up the sweetgum seeds.
Go ice-skating. Today! Being ridiculously happy is good.
(Fascinating list. And one day I’ll ask you or Dona or Bridgett to explain how you wear thermal underwear when it is cold outside but hot inside – based on my brief experiences of northern hemisphere winters)
Bridgett: I will keep a close eye on my thinner SmartWool socks. I do love the thick ones most. The thinner ones were mail ordered—who knew?
Mali: It’s never hot inside. Not in my Victorian house. (And I only wear thermals for cold sports, really.)
YES to animal tracks, and snowshoeing. Love smartwool socks in all thicknesses. but still sick of winter.
Redpolls–don’t know if I’ve ever seen one. What should I look for?
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Redpoll/id
Thanks for reminding me of this wonderful website. I’ll be on the lookout for the little guys.
It all sounds fabulous to me. I love winter. Keep telling yourself that.
Helen: I’ll try. But a ceiling and a window started leaking again yesterday. It’s wearing me down.
i like the thinner SmartWool socks (my feet tend towards hot, the only part of my body that does) but i never wear them without shoes/extra pair of socks/slippers because they do wear out faster.
the first two make me wish i lived someplace with real winter. i love cross country skiing. maybe i should just visit.
Come on out!