Tag: winter

Saturday Share

~ meximinnesotana ~ 7 Comments
snowy Saturday
It’s the day before EASTER, for goodness sake.

This Saturday I bring you a snowy Minnesota, day before Easter picture so you can see why I am looking forward to my long weekend in Arizona in only 6 days. When I returned home from my trip this Wednesday, I noted that most of the snow had melted off, and there were only some remnants from the big piles that had been made. But here you can see what we deal with in so-called Spring. And you can also see that my Willy-cat has made a mess of our screen if you look closely. Lol.

empowered everyday
Cover from Empowered Everyday

So anyway, not that I want your sympathy, but this is perhaps why Minnesotans can be prolific writers in the winter – weather conditions make it necessary to write so we retain our sanity!

Today I would like to refer a blog called Empowered Everyday. The posts are short and sweet, always have a compelling graphic and often hit me exactly with what I need for some inspiration for the day. I have enjoyed reading and perhaps you will too.

Happy Saturday, friends! If you celebrate Easter I hope you enjoy it. And if you are in a place where Spring has actually arrived, I hope you are able to get outside – let me know what that is like since we seem to be stuck in Narnia and an everlasting winter here. 😉

 

 

Frosted window pane

~ meximinnesotana ~ Leave a comment

Candles gleaming inside…

You know the song, right? It is a lovely one, a favorite Christmas song.

frosted window pane

But now Christmas has passed, and this final weekend of 2017 we in the Twin Cities (and north) we are under a wind chill advisory. When I got out of bed this morning, it was -16F with a windchill factor of -30F. Where my parents live, it is -24F with a windchill factor in the 40’s below zero.

The window panes are indeed frosted and I post the photo evidence here. Fortunately, I think we have enough food in the house that we do not need to leave here before Monday.

I feel a little restless, having stayed up the last 3 days while my husband had to work. It was nice, and I truly enjoyed it, but I also enjoy some fresh air now and then.

This is one reason so many Minnesotans plan a winter vacation (escape) somewhere warm, usually in January, but February is a good month for that too. I realize it reflects privilege to be able to do this, and not everyone can afford such an escape.

Actually this year, hubby and I are trying to be frugal, and are not planning a winter vacation. We would like to buy a house in the next year or two, and that involves prioritizing our down payment savings. I have to confess that I am a “winter wimp” and I do not spend any more time outside in winter than is required.

Oh sure, when the temps are above 20, I will take a walk or something if the sun is out and the ground is not too icy. Back in 2008 I took a bad spill on the ice, broke my shoulder (hairline fracture) and injured my rotator cuff. It was painful, and I had a really hard time not being able to run or walk on a treadmill, or do yoga class.

It is incredible what a difference exercise makes to someone who struggles with a.d.d. or with the winter blues. Fortunately I have a gym that is only 1.6 miles away from home, and I can get over there if truly needed. I feel some guilt over wasting a lot of gasoline to warm up my car sometimes, but desperate measures, folks.

When I look back at my facebook feed from last year, I notice we were on Kauai for a wedding of two of my long-time friends. My imagination reaches back, and can access some of the warmth from that time. Aw, I really am a lucky chica. I found a photo from our motorcycle day trip into Waimea Canyon that I am sharing. Ah, sun!

Waimea Canyon

Stay warm, friends.

 

Happy winter solstice

~ meximinnesotana ~ Leave a comment

Hello Friends,

I am working my way through a head cold that has arrived to slow me down a bit for the season (in case an emergency appendectomy was not enough for me to get the message). So I am taking a little break from a more substantial blog today.

Instead I am embracing Winter Solstice, that darkest day of the year just before we gradually start getting a tiny bit more light each day. I will focus today on gratitude and the fact that everyone in nature works in cycles. Darkness and light. Yin and Yang. Rest and activity. Sickness and health.

I have been reflecting quite a lot on the past year and what my hopes are for next year. I feel like I learned a tremendous amount about myself and enjoyed significant personal and professional growth. My daily meditation practice, at 320 consecutive days now, continues to guide and sustain me through the ups and downs of life.

I have practiced working as a team with my husband since our decision to set a date in February and our beautiful wedding in September. I really appreciate all of the wonderful gifts he brings to our relationship. I look forward to seeing how our partnership enhances both of our lives in the coming years.

Enjoy your solstice, friends. I hope it is a time for reflection and grace for you and your loved ones.

winter-solstice.jpg