The calendar says winter begins on December 21, but around here, people know it’s here. Even without snow on the ground, there are plenty of clues it’s already begun. Here’s the top ten list I put together on recent morning walk.
You know it’s winter when…
10. Your desire to put up Christmas decorations has nothing to do with fostering family
and everything to do with turning on more lights in the living room.
9. Your front lawn is a “shivering deer on parade” spectacle several times a day.
8. 26 degrees + no wind + gloomy clouds = great weather for a morning walk.
7. The neighbor’s rooster waits until 7:15 AM to cock-a-doodle-doo.
6. Box elder bugs and Asian soy beetles join you under the covers at night.
5. You see a squirrel hanging upside down while snacking on the shriveled, disgusting
fruit on your tiny crab apple tree.
4. The turtleneck sweater given to you by your mother – yeah, the one with the cutesy
snowman on the collar – suddenly looks warm and cosy.
3. The mice are huddled next to their space heaters in the garage walls and refuse
your invitation to feast upon the peanut butter and crackers you’ve left out for them.
2. It takes longer to bundle up for the walk to the mailbox than the walk takes.
And now, the number way you know it’s winter is when…
1. The valiant, little daisy that stood brave and straight and tall through five hard
frosts, three inches of cold, November rain, and two blustery days, the one that
gave you such hope two weeks ago when you photographed it, now lays bent
and broken on the ground.
