I hate winter. Have I said this before?
It's not just because I don't like the cold. Long boughts of temperatures below -20 Celsius certainly don't make my hate-affair with winter any better, however.
It's not just because I don't like waking up in the dark, in a house that no matter how much wood you throw on the fire or how high you turn up the oil monitor still has cold floors and drafty windows. A house heated to +25 when it's -20 outside is not the same as an unheated house at +25.
It's not just because my biological rhythms get all out of whack, I get depressed, I get less exercise, and my body doesn't feel right.
It's also because I see how unhealthy my children are, and that really, really makes me mad. Since the beginning of December they have been fighting off one thing or another, despite the Vitamin D I am dosing them with and the herculean effort I often put in to make sure they get outside for 15 minutes of fresh air at -25 and get exercise indoors (I bought them a trampoline for Christmas and take them to the Canada Games Center regularly). Even when they are not really sick, they are coughing, or have snotty noses, or just generally look baggy under the eyes and tired (yes, they get enough sleep--usually 12 hours).
I feed them fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, organic beef and chicken, good, good food, but it's not enough.
My children need sunshine. All year.
They need to play outside, naked. All year.
They need to get enough exercise by running, jumping, climbing, exploring, and doing all the stuff kids do outside that is active and makes them fit and helps them develop. It's hard to do all these things in our house and at the Canada Games Center. Kids, in my opinion, should be outside playing most of the time. And it's just not possible when they're bundled to the eyeballs (literally) in snow gear so that they can barely move, and I'm still worried about them getting frostbite.
Friends, there are some birds that stay in Canada for the winter. Ravens are pretty amazing that way. And some of you are ravens, there is no doubt about it. But there are other birds that just aren't designed for this climate, and they have the good sense to fly south. And I am definitely one of those birds. Canada goose, perhaps? I do have a pretty loud honk.
I loved my time in Central America. Loved it. I did not miss winter one bit, except on Christmas day.
So my experiment is done. I don't need to get to May to figure it out. Winter and I are not made for each other.
I am plotting plans. I am having ideas. I am creating avenues for my escape. I will have to endure the rest of this year, but next year....next year!!!! Exciting adventures are to come.
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3 comments:
I always wonder why people live here who can't stand the winter and honestly, I get sick of all the whining about it! This year there has been more complaining than ever.
Good to see you're actually doing something about it.
I think people stay here because it's fairly easy to get a job, and income is pretty necessary for life. Also, real estate used to be a great price, not so great anymore.
I personally love the community, love my friends, and that's what keeps me here (besides income and real estate!).
I didn't move here because I love winter or the Yukon, but because my family was here and the job opportunities were good. But, it's time to look at how to get the things I need in a different climate...
Good for you!! I can't wait to see where you go!!
I'm with you, my friend. Winter = no. It's the cold and dry. I could handle dry and warm or cold and humid, and I actually love the dark. But our bitter-cold, dust-dry winters here in Indiana are wretched. I can't imagine dealing with winter in Whitehorse.
Ahem. On their way down south to the warmer climes, many thousands of Canada geese pass through the fair little town of Winona Lake, Indiana. They seem to have their reasons for doing so. Maybe you ought to look into it. Ahem.
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