Friday 22 June 2012

Winter beauty


I think winter sends people a little batty. By people, I mean me. I have long loathed winter. The chill in the air, the way it makes skin dry, noses runny, bones achy and folks sickly. I much prefer the sexiness that is summer – bronzed shoulders glistening in the sun, shorts, sandals and legs out. This tights-every-day, scarf-covering-neck, long-sleeves, heater-on bizzo is just plain annoying.

But last year I made a pact with myself that I would no longer whinge about the cold. There is absolutely nothing I can do about it, it will roll on every year, same time, same place, so what is really the point of complaining? I can’t do much about it. Unless of course I move to the tropics, but that’s another story.

I spent three years living in the tropics and have long escaped our cold climate to head to where the beach is. I was born a summer baby, I have loved the heat from as long as I can remember. As a kid I would spend the entire summer running around in my bikini, I loved everything that epitomises summer. Still do. So when winter kicks in and I find myself shivering from the cold and my bones ache no matter how rugged up I am, my neck burdened by permanent pain (from a childhood neck injury) and the only relief I have is codeine and a mountain of blankets over socks, scarf, jammies, hoodie and whatever else I can find that looks warm, my head kicks into glum overdrive. I can’t help it. I try not to let the climate control my mood but by God I get grumpy. 

This morning was a particularly crappy morning, you know the one where you’re running late for school for the fifth day in a row (what IS it with this week), you realise all too late that there is no bread for lunches (who put the bread back into the freezer with crusts only - oh wait, that'd be me), your skirt needs ironing but then you discover it is marked with caked on washing powder so you have to spot clean it, your car has no fuel and it’s SO FREAKING COLD your fingers could very well snap off as you lock the front door. And then you drive around the corner to see this:


The stillest, calmest, most beautiful sight for tired eyes. Maybe I could appreciate winter beauty after all.

Have a fabulous weekend people. You will find me snuggled up on the lounge, heater on, head hidden among layers of scarf. If you're lucky you might find me lurking around the river, but I guarantee you won't find me whinging. Well at least not out loud.

8 comments:

  1. What a beautiful perspective on a decidedly crappy start to the day Peggy. I do know those days only too well. And I also struggle with Winter, so I try my hardest to find the 'nice' things about the colder weather too... all the while counting down the days until Summer rolls around again. Hope you have a lovely weekend xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jules. It all depends on how you decide to handle what is dished up hey. I always choose positivity in the end, but I do have moments where I feel like throwing my hands in the air and screaming COME ON UNIVERSE, SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT!

      We've passed the shortest day of the year, on the climb to spring. :) xo

      Delete
  2. If it makes you feel any better: it's "summer" in Scotland, and it's about +10C and rainy! Pretty much as cold as your winter? Nevertheless, lovely pictures! Hope next week is much better :) x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh gosh, I shivered a little reading that! I know I should be grateful with our 'winter' knowing our summers are awesome. 6 months time I will be perched on the beach in 40 degree heat! Thanks for the perspective Kaisla. :) xo

      Delete
  3. Anonymous1:09 pm GMT+8

    Peggy, you took the words right out of my mouth! I HATE WINTER!! ...Glad you were able to find something good in an otherwise crappy day xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rachael. I have struggled with the cold for as long as I can remember. There has to be beauty in it somewhere, just have to open my eyes to see it.

      Keep warm lovely! xo

      Delete
  4. with a complete stuffed neck from a car accident over 13 years ago, winter should be a season i detest as well because it does play such havoc with my neck [unfortunately, it seems to be flaring up regardless of the season of late :( ] but i LOVE it. i love having to rug up, the brisk cold that turns cheeks rosy red, snaps at your nose and makes you wrap up with layer upon layer!

    i've never been a fan of the heat, i just can't function in it but that's probably because i'm a bigger girl, i imagine if [when?] i lose weight and get down to a healthy weight, i will probably develop a new love for summer, who knows?

    those pictures are gorgeous xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Rach, it'd be hard not to get a gorgeous snap of that beauty.

      I too was in a car accident (a head on) when I was a teen and I have irreparable damage to my neck too. Winter is a killer for me, my bones literally ache. I am on codeine 24/7 for my pain, but only in the colder months. I used to see an Osteopath but you need to go very regularly to keep the pain away, too busy and considering it's lifelong I find painkillers more convenient (though not good for you). I naturally love the heat but this is a big factor in why I prefer summer over winter.

      Delete

I would REALLY love to hear your pretty thoughts. Since you're already here, why not leave me a comment?

Thank you for reading.

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.