Walking to work this morning, I had to leave my normal route and take the long way.
It was the only thing I could do -- leave the sidewalk and stick to the patchwork of grass and leaves on the Business School campus. The way I was feeling, I was afraid that if I kept on my usual path, there'd be a place where the cold slab concrete sidewalks met up with the steel gray skyline, and I might simply disappear into it. I could just see my Technicolor scarf fading into the test pattern on and old black and white TV and then, not only would everything feel drab and lifeless, it would be. Like waking up in Pleasantville. Only, no amount of bubble gum chewing or heavy petting could restore things. Not until spring, anyway.
The grounds crew looked more like a housekeeping staff, busy vacuuming the lawns, still green under their yellow dusting of leaves. I wanted to stop them, maybe ask them to leave a bit of color. But it's their job, and it's November, and that would really only be postponing the inevitable.
If only hibernation were viable option. After all, I already have the necessary extra layers for warmth and sustenance. I just hate seeing the world die every winter and waiting so long for its resurrection.
What I'd give for some seasons! It's still over 80 degrees outside over here, with no respite in sight.
The season I hate the most is the end of winter, around say February. When I lived in colder climes, December had snow but it also had Christmas cheer and lights. By February, the lights are gone, the cheer is gone, and all we have left is dreary cold and snow. Ick. Thank god it doesn't last long.
Posted by: Gopi at November 5, 2003 02:48 PMI love the winter because it relieves the pressure I often feel during the summer to get my butt outside for some healthy Vit D and cheer. There are days during the summer I do not want to be outside. I want to hole up and have it be cold and gray like the winter. But only in the winter can I stay in and read under blankets without the slightest guilt. What's more, the necessary bulky clothing permits me to deviate from the fitness routine...cause no one's going to see that extra bit of fat here and there. Opaque winter schtockings! Yesh! Winter is for contemplation, the slowing of actions. And cocoa with marshmallows.
Posted by: Katherine at November 5, 2003 04:55 PM