The title was actually going to be my Hate/Hate Relationship With Winter, but when I sat down to write the post, I realized I didn’t hate it quite as much as I thought I did.
Things I hate about winter.
Wrestling the dogs into their boots.
The crud and dust that burning wood for heat brings.
All the snow, sand and crap that comes into the house on your shoes and sinks into the rugs.
Whoops, someone took a dump.Yeah, that’s the chemicals they use on the roads. Believe me, it gets everywhere.
The layers and layers of clothes I need to put on to protect myself from the elements.
Leashes that get dragged through the snow and dirt.
Dirty paws and underbellies.
Having to wear boots with cleats, to keep from slipping on the ice.
Holy gloves. No, not religious gloves, the finger tips of my gloves have been bitten off, because someone is very enthusiastic when she gets a treat.
Morning walks in the dark and having to wear a headlamp on my hat. That lamp is so heavy it sinks the brim of my hat, so in order to see, I have to walk with my head tipped back.
On the flip side. Things I love about winter.
That first big snowfall, when the world is covered in white and snow muffles the sounds of the world. You can walk out in the snow and forge your own path.
To me it looks magical.
Snuggling in a blanket on the couch in front of the fire, with a good book in one hand, a cup of tea or cocoa in the other and a dog on either side.
Cookies fresh from the oven.
All the comfort foods, soup, pot pies, pasta and bread. Mmmmm
Walking the dogs without worrying about ticks.
No bugs.
Easily finding the steaming piles when the dogs do their business.
The lack of people/dogs are on our walks. It’s a sure sign of spring when we start encountering other dog walking peeps.
Help me out here, have I forgotten anything?
All the things I love and hate to about winter. I don’t mind the snow if it’s not a lot as it does look pretty on the trees, I just HATE the cold!! I’ve been so busy this winter I haven’t been able to sit down with that book.
I miss the snow! Just the way you described it, how it makes everything so quiet. I don’t miss the mess that comes with it, though!
Definitely love winter when the first snow starts falling! But around here it doesn’t last very long – if at all – so the girls and I go out in the yard as soon as it starts. Magical, yes! And beautiful!
You left out one of my favorites though. The way the male cardinals stand out in their bright red bodies on the snow-covered tree branches. They are soooo gorgeous, especially if the sun is shining and reflecting off the snow.
The bestest thing here is the lack of The Terror Tots on the park and we only see the serious dog walkers. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
No ticks, that’s the best thing. And we do love to sit by the computer during the winter. In the summer we want to be in the garden og out walking 🙂
We all are winter lovers. The only thing Mom doesn’t like is wearing gloves because she says it is like having handicapped hands. Everything is more difficult and takes longer plus when it is real cold, her fingers start to freeze, but she still loves winter.
I think you about covered it Jodi! I love some of the same stuff as you about winter, but this year, I will be glad to see it’s go. Even if you love someone/something, they sure can overstay their welcome!!
We can’t find ANYTHINGY to like about Winter… NOPE… NOTHING… Dark Cold Gloomy and just plain AWFUL…
I like snow way up in the mountains were i can look at it from afar.
Well I can get all those good things about Winter, except for the snow, in the Fall here. I’m done with Ohio winters. My 5 year plan now includes moving to Texas.
Generally, I find spring and fall harder than winter. Once winter comes, I know I need to wear heavy socks, lots of layers, and a warm coat. But in the spring and fall, I’m tempted to get away with less. And I always freeze.
There’s something good about knowing what to expect.
It’s easy to romanticize some of the more palatable aspects of winter. Yes the first snow fall is almost magical and a crisp winter night where the air is so clear gives you a feeling of aloneness but with a significant presence, and who doesn’t love twinkling stars on a winter’s night but that damn shoveling, wiping feet/bellies and the constant bundling up and then taking everything off, hanging it all up, keeping track of the extra warm gloves from the regular gloves, it all gets too much around mid-January in my books. especially when there was tons of the white stuff falling every other day. No wonder Spring is the season of rebirth, it’s so wonderful to see plants came back with promises of beauty for the next several months. Makes you forget about November through March…almost. 😉 Here’s to warm sunny days romping through the woods with your fur-besties!
Hate the wet, slushy underbellies too, but I really hate when my nose is constantly running and I’m fumbling with gloves, kleenex and the leash. The upside is that I’ve mastered walking and blowing my nose at the same time, haha!
Love the quiet walks on snow without lots of other dog walkers around and knowing that if you step on any dog crap, it’s most likely frozen solid! 🙂
I left winters behind many years ago and I haven’t looked back. We get three seasons here and I do not miss winter.
You did great to include what you love about winter. I can only seem to focus on why I hate it these days! Though you made some very good points, and I especially dread the bugs coming back.
I had a really long comment to this post, but decided to write my own post instead. Thanks for the inspiration!
P. S. There really IS something magical about seeing a steaming pile of poop in winter, isn’t there? 😉
I could handle two weeks of winter, but that is it. It is cold and dark and slippery and driving sucks. It is pretty but that isn’t enough to get over the problems. I would trade black flies and sun for winter any day!
Well as you know, I love snow and winter, so I’m right there with you about those things. But I love winter sweaters and layers of clothes, even though I have to allow an extra five minutes to get everything on before leaving the house!
We don’t really have winter here (at least not any more. It used to cool off, but now it seems like we’re constantly having heatwaves). If we did have real winter, I think I’d be over it after that first pretty, magical snowfall turned ugly. Then I’d be done! (But I do love all the comfort foods of winter!)
I have missed you so much!! Your comment about having to look up while walking just reminded me why I love you xx
I would guess no bugs to be the number one benefit of winter. Oh and snow is pretty until about the end of January and then it can go…lol.
Snuggling is and will probably always be my favorite part of winter. I’ve also got a pair of holy gloves; my boyfriend told me they were ‘a bit embarrassing’ the other day 🙂