Friday, January 23, 2009

Friday Five: Cabin Fever

Today's Friday Five from Singing Owl is all about the long dreary days of winter. She writes:

Here in snow country we are settled in to what is a very long stretch of potentially boring days. The holidays are over. It is a very long time till we will get outside on a regular basis. The snow that seemed so beautiful at first is now dirty and the snow banks are piling up. Our vehicles are all the same shade of brownish grey, but if we go to the car wash our doors will freeze shut. People get grumpy. Of course, not everyone lives in a cold climate, but even in warmer places the days till springtime can get long. Help! Please give us five suggestions for combating cabin fever and staying cheerful in our monochromatic world?

1. Cook wonderful food. There is nothing like a hot, home-cooked meal to make a person feel cozy and comfortable, no matter how hard the elements are raging outside. Bonus points if the wonderful food comes with wonderful wine. And double bonus points if it comes with wonderful company.

2. Take advantage of weather relief: Here in Prairie City, where the current temperature is -25C and a forecast calling for a wind chill tonight of -38C, you have to take advantage of any respites from the cold that might appear. Last week, we were fortunate to have a string of days when the temp was above freezing, so WH and I took advantage by getting outside, doing some yard work, taking walks, and enjoying the sunshine.

3. Take care of yourself: I think that one of the things that can make the long days of winter more difficult to bear is when a person stops putting the effort into making themselves feel good. So even if it's cold and layers are needed, make sure those layers are in flattering cuts and colors, do your makeup, brush your hair, get exercise, stay mobile and of course, no matter how big and clunky and practical your winter boots are, have your fun shoes in your bag for indoors!

4. Play board games: This Christmas, WH and I discovered King's Cribbage, which is essentially a combination of Cribbage and Scrabble. The board is like a Scrabble board, but instead of making words, you make cribbage hands. We have spent many happy hours this winter playing this game and others!

5. Make summer plans: I always find that one of the things that keeps me going in the winter is to make plans for spring and summer, whether those plans are for travel, for home and garden, for outdoor activity. How lovely is it to think ahead in a productive way to the beautiful days to come?!

Have a great day everybody!

15 comments:

LutheranChik said...

Dittos on many items, especially planning for spring planting. Or just looking at garden catalogs.

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

oh your #3 is so true, so true (types the woman with the clogged shower, matted bed-head-hair, and in sweats)... but you feel better when you look better that is for sure!

now excuse me while i go unclog the shower again...

Di said...

#3 makes so much sense to me-- I tend to get lazy in the winter, so thanks for the reminder!

(And I do #5, too! What are your summer plans this year?)

RevDrKate said...

Loved your answers, especially #3--it is a great reminder.

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

I love to cook and so #1 really hits home for me.

word verf: refroski...is that like your windows frosting over after you have run the defroster????

Rev Kim said...

Self-care is so important to beat the humdrums! Great play!

Crimson Rambler said...

and in January, I do believe that seed catalogues count as PORN! Margaret Atwood says winter is time to eat fat and watch hockey...great play, Chorus!

Sally said...

Great play, you have challenged me to keep myself looking good, I've been trying to exercise but often neglect the hair and make-up.

Auntie Knickers said...

Great play, as I would have expected coming from the REALLY Frozen North....

Shalom said...

Great fun - and I totally agree about the cute shoes. Nothing saps your energy like plodding around in heavy boots.

Sue said...

It's all about the fun shoes, for sure. Even knowing that in a few months you can wear them outdoors is enough to cheer on a cold day!

Maureen said...

Great list....love the bonus points for good wine :) and we must find this game you speak of (#4).

Julie said...

#1 -- you and I think alike! Great play! :)

Dorcas (aka SingingOwl) said...

Oooh, we are longing for some days above freezing. It almost go there today, but now the temperature has dropped like a rock. :-( I think I'll go cook something!

RevAnne said...

Great play!
Time to start thinking about my garden.