February 2, 2025

 


As I write this, it is a cold, overcast day in the Pocono Mountains.  However, earlier today, when poor Punxsutawney Phil was pulled out of his home, there was sunshine.  Phil saw his shadow, which means six more weeks of winter.  (Which actually puts us just about at the date when spring arrives on the calendar.) 

I'm not thrilled with that.  It puts us at the halfway mark.  We've gone through about six weeks of winter already.  Many of those days have been colder and grayer than I can recall recent years being.  I've asked people in the Poconos as well as in NJ, if this year seems to be colder than usual.  I've heard a lot of yes (usually said in resignation).

I've never been a fan of winter. (Sorry to all my winter fans out there.  I know you exist, I just don't live in your sphere.)  So, why did you move to the mountains Bfth, I hear you ask.  Well, I like the mountains.  I like the trees.  I like the scenery.  And I realized that I would probably have to deal with more snow and cold than I had before.  (Especially since the past several winters have not been too bad.) It's just something I have to "deal" with and get through so that I can enjoy the fresh spring breezes, warm summer days and cool autumn nights.  I can't wait until I can open up the windows again and let the cool (not cold) air in.  That's my thing.

As I have learned (or sort of learned) you can't just have warm, sunny days all the time.  I remember the fall when we had gorgeous days and over a month went by without rain.  Yes, I liked it, but I didn't like the fact that there were drought warnings, water restrictions and the threat of fire.  (I love the trees that surround me, even though they can make a lot of noise.  Noise that can be quite eerie.  Sometimes I feel like I am living in the Northeast version of "Twin Peaks.")  Though I am not necessarily a fan of rain, or of snow, it is something that we need.  It is something I need, even when I don't realize it.

So while I don't like the cold and damp, I know that we need it. Once we get through it (and we will get through it even though spring may seem like an eternity way), we just may appreciate the spring, summer and fall even more.  Because we cannot appreciate the light without having the dark.  We need to have night in order to have day.

I can chose to count down the days left till spring (and I probably will) or I can live in the moment, knowing that the weather pendulum will swing back the other way in a manner or time.  I know I've used this quote way too many times (sorry, not sorry):  "Now the darkness only stays at night time.  In the morning it will fade away. Daylight is good at arriving at the right time. But it's not always going to be this grey. All things must pass.  All things must pass away."

So while we may be facing dark and gray now, there will be "better" days.  And when they arrive, I hope our hearts and minds are filled with the joy that they bring.


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