It’s freezing …

One of the drives I enjoy is along Route 107 from Laconia through Gilmanton to Northwood. The visa at the top of Frisky Hill, across the Belknap Mountain Range, is stunning throughout every season. A few weeks ago, traveling this road after a winter storm, the sun reflected off the thin layer of ice that encased the trees and transformed the branches into exquisite crystal sculptures. The snow drifts appeared like waves across the stone walls in the fields and the blue sky was in pure contrast to the white blanketing the earth. The subtle elegance of a winter scene allows us to forget the treacherous storms that create these temporary landscapes.

Winter has been one of my favorite seasons. Until now. Not only have the streets been covered with ice, slush and at various times inches and inches of snow, it has been just “freezing.” Literally below zero in New Hampshire, and although technically in the low teens in Manhattan, the wind chill has made it feel like the temperatures are in the double digits below zero.

On New Year’s Eve, I walked through Central Park along the path that wraps around the reservoir. The late afternoon sun cast silver and gold shadows on the cityscape in the distance, while the wind blew across the water creating a bitter cold. It took a large cup of tea when I reached the West side to warm me through before I could continue walking.

For the first time, I began thinking about what it would be like to live somewhere without a New England winter. That is a season without snow and ice and temperatures in the low teens and below. A place that has palm trees, sandy beaches and generally idyllic weather throughout the year. However, the issue at hand is how to survive in the cold.

Fill the house with flowers and plants. Tulips, roses and flowering plants. Or think about the
seedlings you can plant that will begin to bloom in the spring.

Wear bright colored clothing that reminds you of summer. At the moment, I’m only wearing a bright pink turtleneck under all of my black sweaters. It’s as if the color peeking out at the top is a reminder of spring.

Forced to stay indoors because of the weather is the time to start cooking or experimenting with baking. After enjoying a delicious vegetarian chili from the Village Bakery in Laconia I decided to attempt making a pot. Surprisingly it was delicious and I shared it with a friend in the neighborhood.

Have you ever noticed that you often rearrange furniture during the winter months or finish organizing financial information for your taxes? Tasks that are often left for another time when it’s a beautiful day for a hike, a movie you can’t miss has opened in the neighborhood or there is a sale at your favorite emporium.

It’s going to be in the 50’s tomorrow. The florist shops are already selling pussywillows and January is slipping away. Soon enough spring will push through the earth.