WINTER...

My sweet husband I were sitting on our back porch yesterday afternoon, soaking up the warm sunshine while enjoying a hot cup of coffee with my favorite Italian sweet cream. As I looked around at the bare trees, the brown grass, and the remnants of what was once a thriving harvest of a garden, I voiced my opinion.

“Dreary.” Bob looked at me, questioning my remark. “Dreary is the word that comes to mind while trying to get through a cold East Texas winter,” I said. He smiled and looked around. I knew something was coming. For the next five minutes he shared what he liked about winter, leaving me with my one, slightly negative word, thinking I should also find those positive things. After all, there is much to be happy about winter. We laughed, bringing several things to the surface about the benefits of winter. He suggested a poem, a sort of “ode to winter.”And so, here it is, with no negativity or groaning aloud.

Lacher’s Ode to Winter

Temperatures dropping to low chilly places, Fluffy warm hats tightly pulled to warm faces, Oversized coats, boots, and scarves with bright strings, These are a few of my favorite winter things… No more mosquitoes, and much fewer spiders, Cups of hot chocolate, and steaming hot cider, Savory stews cooking with the good cheer they bring, These are a few of my favorite things.

Wrapped in huge Afghans, and logs on the fire, Binging old movies, as long as desired, No more mowing, no gardens to hoe, The snakes underground, the bugs on the go.

When the temps drop as they always will do, We just turn up the heat, snuggle up, just we two. Clear winter night skies, stars shining like diamonds, Squirrels dashing about for nuts they are finding, Watching birds flock to the feeders, hearing them sing, These are a few of our favorite things. When dark winter days get you down and all weary, Wen the cold hits you hard and you feel mostly dreary, Just remember it’s not long for warm sunny days, And you strip off the layers and shout your “hurrays”! When the geese fly, the sun warms and leaves turn to green, We just put away winter and look forward to Spring! Find your joy in everything, no matter how dreary it seems. When you do, you’ll be surprised at the change in attitude as you view your surroundings.

Bob said he just saw a robin in the back yard. Spring is not far off… -------- You may reach Terri at P O Box 28, Center, Texas 75935 or at btlacher@sbcglobal.net