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Winter is coming

It is the beginning of April and the winter is creeping in on us here in South Africa. It was almost like a coin flip. The one day it was hot and humid and the next day was cool with long nights and short days. Maybe I just didn’t pay attention to the change in weather and the transition from summer to fall. It is winter time!

“We cannot stop the winter or the summer from coming. We cannot stop the spring or the fall or make them other than they are. They are gifts from the universe that we cannot refuse. But we can choose what we will contribute to life when each arrives. “ – Gary Zukav

I live in a coastal town in South Africa where our winter means rain – cold and wet. It lasts 6-8 months. We do not get snow in my town – that only happens about 100 kilometers from here and only in the mountains.

Hot chocolate means winter time

During this cold season I spend most of my time indoors with hot chocolate and marshmallows to keep me and my pets company and warm. Winter is also when I like to do maintenance and renovations inside my home.

This year though I wasn’t ready yet when the winter came knocking on my door. I was still enjoying the warm weather and wasn’t paying attention and so I had to quickly change my summer curtains to warmer curtains, dust off my warm clothes and buy groceries – as to cook soup and other hot meals.

Time to hibernate

While all the seasons have their own pros and cons, Winter has a special ring to it. I actually understand why animals hibernates during winter because everything is slower, and it is just more fun to cozy up with hot chocolate or a bowl of hot soup in front of the TV alone or with close friends than to go outside freezing your butt off. Even my dog Millie gets under the covers early evening and I have to carry her outside and basically beg her to use the outside to do her thing.

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.
– Victor Hugo