Winter Wonderland (how we’re doing it wrong)

The long nights are upon us and nature is preparing for its annual nap. There’s been a lot of talk (complaining) about the days getting shorter, less daylight hours. At the same time, many of these people plan weekend getaways to the mountains to see the wondrous beauty of Autumn leaves. Basking in the splendor of the deep, rich hues of reds, oranges and yellows, it is indeed a magnificent sight to behold.

So I ask this simple question. Do they realize that the reason we get to enjoy this amazing artwork of nature is because the days are shorter? Leaves change their colors in the fall, because less sunlight equals less chlorophyll production. (this is a very simple answer, so if you want more detail, (which is super interesting) check out this link for the US Forest Service)

I mention this for two reasons. 1, it totally bugs the crap out of me and adds to my complete disdain of Daylight Savings Time (you don’t want to get me started on that topic because it makes me want to bang my head against the wall) And 2, it leads into the main topic at hand. Winter and the holiday season.

I LOVE the winter holidays. Christmas with my family is something I’ve looked forward to every year my whole life. When I look at a house we might think about buying (or building), my first thought is always “How will it look decorated for the holidays? Where can we put the tree? We have to have a mantle, even if the fireplace doesn’t work, but bonus points if it does, and a kitchen with enough space to bake to my hearts content” Winter, and Christmas in particular, has always been surrounded in magic for me. I love the warm, low lighting. I love throw blankets. Fire is my friend.

This is a time when nature takes a bit of slumber. Animals nest in their dens, reserving their energies for the great wake of Spring. Plants go to seed and then nourish the soil with their fallen leaves as they patiently wait to be reborn.

However……..

For some unknown reason to me, human society has deemed this time of year to be the busiest of all four seasons. You have to plan parties, attend parties, shop for all the things and see all the people. Why???? This goes against nature and leads to burnout at best. We should be resting. Taking time to spend with those we most love, not mandatory gatherings of people you only deign to see. Holidays shouldn’t be this stressful. They should be filled with warmth and love, even if it’s cozying up with a hot drink solo and giving yourself some TLC.

Winter is meant to be a time of reflection. A time to rest and plan. Traditionally, it’s been a time when farmers let their gardens go fallow and plan what they were planting in the Spring, and where they were going to grow. Crop rotation is a part of a healthy garden, so usually you don’t plant the same things in the same places every year. Just like nature, humans rested in the Winter, or at least slowed down a bit.

I mean, let’s face it. It’s too cold to go be social. It’s too cold in the South, so up North? Nope! At least there, they have mastered the art of functioning in the snow. It happens so rarely here, that it’s more of a welcomed impromptu staycay. Usually, we loose power, so we get to huddle up in one room to stay warm and eat milk sandwiches until the pine trees get cut off the power lines and electricity is restored. For those who don’t know, (although we get made fun of every year for it, so you probably do) every time we get any chance of snow, all the milk and bread sells out of every single store. I don’t know why. It hasn’t made sense to me in the 46 years I’ve lived here. Even without snow, it’s still too cold to function.

So I leave it to you dear reader. How can we make a monumental shift in Winter culture? I know it’s a long shot, but a girl can dream. Is it even possible for the people at large to become more connected to a natural rhythm? I’d like to think that if we did, we’d live in a happier society.

Just my thoughts. Thanks for listening.

With love, Spider & Rain