I’ve never really felt like I have suffered from the seasonal effects of the weather, especially the winter blues but this year is different. But is it the weathers fault? A lot of people I have spoken to have all commented about how it seems to be darker for longer in the mornings. I have sure noticed that. Dark mornings never really bothered me but this winter I am certainly wishing them gone. The groan as the alarm sounds, you peer out with one eye open and swear that it can’t be time to get up as it’s still night out.
The rain without a doubt isn’t helping and boy we seem to have had a lot of heavy downpours and constant dull skies. The damp doesn’t help with hubbies arthritis. Nor does it make him want to get over the allotment. The levels of rain have already ruined the newly planted onion sets. The first casualty of the year. Not great for the motivation. Nor is the prospect of muddy footwear and wet clothes when you get caught in that sharp shower!
I seem to remember crisp but bright sunny winter days when I was younger. You would happily wrap up and get outside. Now they seem to be dull, grey and wet more often than not. Is my memory wrong? Have I donned my rose tinted glasses? Is grey going to be our new norm? I sure hope not. It seems to affect so many other parts of your life or perhaps that’s just me.
The chores on the way home from work seem twice as boring. The need to pop out at the weekend such an effort because all you want to do is stay inside with a nice warm drink and a slushy film or a good book. Are we all finding daily life so much more of a burden? The good buried deeper under the higher costs we are all facing. People are grumpier: more short tempered. I can’t say I blame them. Good cheer seems to still be on its winter holiday.
There is a glimmer of hope with the nights drawing out not that you notice that when you are huddled under an umbrella trying to keep dry waiting for the bus that you suspect has been cancelled. Perhaps the driver decided to stay home under the duvet. I know I wish I had. Once that damp and cold gets in you, curling under the duvet seems to be the only place to get warm again.
We shouldn’t be wishing the days away but I for one will be sure happy to see the bright green shoots on the trees, the tips of the bulbs breaking through the sodden soil. That is, as long as they haven’t rotted or been washed away. Even to feel a little heat from the winter sun wouldn’t go amiss. Some brightness to put a spring in your step and a smile on your face.
Husband is looking forward to the sun being out. This winter he has been housebound more than I have ever known him to be. The aches intensified by the weather. The warmth I hope will see him out to the allotment. Replacing the onions to start with. Tackling the weeds that I have no doubt turn it into a bit of a jungle. Preparing the beds ready for this years crops. One thing I can promise without fail that when the summer hits and the temperatures get a little too warm for him he will utter those annoying words that will make me tut ‘roll on winter!’ E x