the winters of my discontent

I am aware that it is still autumn, but here in Louisville, Kentucky it feels more like winter than fall. The temperature hovered in the mid forties all of last week, and not a day was crisp or clean. The sky has been dull grey and misting rain at me.

I understand that I really have no right to complain, as many states are already seeing snow, frost, ice, and the like. Should we blame El Nino for their noreaster? I have no idea, but Good Morning America just said something about it.

Winter does not agree with me; cold does not agree with me. While there are certain things I love about the fall, like pretty red and yellow tree leaves swirling around in the air, I just can't bear knowing that winter is around the corner, like in-laws planning to visit and stay too long.

For me, winter is the ultimate dark night of the soul... I feel so cold I can't get my tootsies warm or my frozen brain to function (not great for the progess on my wip) and my heart just breaks a little as we inch toward snow tires, salted roads, school closings. I scowl at the hayrides, haunted houses and pumpkin patches. They are just a premble for what is to come. Halloween freaks me out -- this is a new thing -- and the reason will remain a mystery to you, my readers. At least for now.

What about you? When it's time, do you take joy in donning mittens and woolen coats, trudging in the snow in your boots? Do you love curling up and drinking cocoa by the fire while you watch a world of white from your window? Are the grey days and the cold wind a mere inconvenience or afterthought?

Don't fret for me, or call forth the seasonal depression doctors. I'll be fine by Thanksgiving, when I'll fall into a turkey coma and hibernate until it's time to wrap the Christmas presents. I'll make a reappearance for the yule tide, and then head back into my den until February is behind me, and winter turns on her heels and heads out of town, knowing that she will never best me, but promsing she'll be back to try again.