We’ve talked about everything from condiments to emojis to ice cream flavours, but now it’s time to tackle a cold, hard truth. It’s winter in Canada. And I. am. over. it.
I’ve been hankering to find a new Top Five/Bottom Five topic and Jana all but handed me one on a silver platter. When I first commented on feeling “over” winter, she reminded me that complaining about the situation is pointless (frustratingly true) and suggested I embrace a more optimistic outlook on the season.
I’m sorry. It’s cold and snowy and the wind-chill is approximately -600°C, so the best I can muster is equal parts pessimism and optimism (it’s a snowstorm of conflicting emotions).
When I’m wearing my rosy glasses (Top Five), winter doesn’t seem that bad. When I slip on my fogged-up ski goggles…I see things a little differently (Bottom Five).
TOP FIVE
- The snow really is beautiful. When the leaves are off the trees and the world looks barren and sad, a blanket of white is a thing of beauty. Lakes freeze to become skating rinks, grassy hills become places to sled and ski. My backyard starts to look like a postcard.
- Dark evenings. I love the coziness that comes with dark evenings in the winter. We light candles and turn on twinkle lights and change into PJs extra early.
- No mosquitoes. I hate bugs. Ugh.
- Christmas. There is nothing more I need to say about this one.
- No overbearing heat. As much as I complain about winter, the alternative is not much better. My family’s running joke is that I’m either freezing hot or boiling cold. I have the tiniest of margins where I am comfortable temperature wise. As much as I complain about cold and snow and ice? I complain just as much about heat (especially humidity; how I loathe humidity) and bugs and sand on my floors in the summer.
BOTTOM FIVE
- The cold. It’s the cold that gets me. Sure the snow is beautiful, yada, yada, yada. But the cold that comes with it can suck the joy out of life. (And don’t get me started on windchill.)
- In-between weather. Snow that turns to rain that turns to freezing rain that turns to slush…and then, oh joy, we’re back to snow again, followed by a deep freeze where everything turns to white, slip-and-break-your-neck concrete. There is also the emotional whiplash that comes from seeing bare pavement (break out the champagne!) before being back to having snow gear rendered useless because of the slush (time to book an appointment with my therapist!).
- Winter driving. Low visibility (because every kid extracurricular now seems to entail being out at night), it’s icy, and I am frozen to the bone for at least 15 minutes after getting in the car. I’m *just* starting to thaw when we reach our destination. By the time we finish whatever it is we’re doing, the car is cold and we repeat the same process all over again.
- It is NOT four months long. The calendar is a liar. Winter can start in Canada before Halloween and can last well past April. In December I grumble, in January I complain, by February I’m losing hope, by March I’m furious. By April I’m contemplating all my life choices that led to this moment.
- The gear. Managing winter gear is a full-time job. You need boots, but not just any boots – you need boots for slush, boots for ice, boots for snow. And don’t forget the snow pants, mittens, hats, gloves, coats and scarves. And, despite having multiple iterations of everything, every single pair/item will end up lost over the course of the winter. (ASK ME HOW I KNOW…*side-eyes Indy*.) Then you have to store the gear, get the gear dry after being outside, stay on top of your kids constantly growing out of their gear, deal with kids complaining about how hot/tight/cold/ugly their gear is before breaking into tears and pleading for new gear. Then there is the gear required for winter activities. None of it is small and most is incredibly awkward and impossible to find in any bag or tote. Skis, poles, boots, helmets. Skates, helmets, pucks, sticks, nets. There are shovels and salt for the driveway. There is special antifreeze for the windshield. There are sleds and snowshoes. You need gear to manage all the gear (seriously, I now understand why everyone at the ski hill – except me – has a Thule).
Sorry Jana, I think I may have gotten carried away on the negatives…but I’ve vented some of my existential rage for winter and have also managed to more properly appreciate some good things.
Your turn.
- What’s winter like in your part of the world?
- Fellow winter warriors – how do you handle the cold? Any tips for making it less miserable?
- What are you Top Five/Bottom Five for winter?
- Is anyone plotting a sunny escape from Canada this winter?
Answers to yesterday’s rebus post:
- For once in my life (Four one’s in my life)
- Foul language
- Tennis shoes (Ten “issues”)
- Missing you (Missing “u”)
- Thunderstorm (“Th” under storm)
- Foreign language (Four in language)
- Headquarters
- Potatoes (Pot eight o’s)
- Bad influence
- Long time no see (“c”)
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coco
You definitely think there’s more down than up by purely counting the lines. hahaha… I think I like winter if it’s 2 months as I don’t like to layer too much and get cold easily. I haven’t lived in a cold place for a long time and won’t be for another few years. We will visit argentina during winter time so the girls can play with the snow and ski.
Elisabeth
Oops. You found me out, Coco. I will admit I find winter to be overwhelmingly negative – BUT it makes me appreciate summer things more and then because of the good things winter has to offer, I can still find glimmers of good things, too.
Ally Bean
Top 5:
1) It’s quiet outside, no construction noise, no lawn equipment noise
2) The dark leafless tree branches look pretty with a dusting of white snow on them
3) Beef stew
4) No mosquitos
5) Cozy fleece tops and socks to stay warm
Bottom 5:
1) Forever misplacing my gloves or hat or scarf
2) Icy roads
3) Nowhere to go, nothing to do outside of the house
4) Icy sidewalks
5) Dark gray days devoid of sunshine
Elisabeth
Beef stew – ha! Yes, all the hearty comfort food of winter is such a balm for my cold, weary soul.
Karen A.
I grew up near Toledo, so our winter was very much like yours, Elisabeth! Where I live now is a little warmer, but we recently had a spell of very deep snow and frigid temperatures. While we were out shoveling I’m sure my kids got tired of me gesturing around and saying, “THIS! This is what my childhood winters were like!” I was five during the Blizzard of ’78, and remember making giant snow caves and sitting in them in my snowsuit, eating snow burgers.
I actually like winter, in the main. I prefer earlier sunsets and being able to watch a sunrise in the morning with a hot cup of tea. I detest summer. If I had to choose, I’d live in a place like Svalbard or Tromso rather than Florida.
Top Five:
1. Snow. It’s beautiful. And a deep enough snowfall is an excellent reason to stay inside with hot tea and a book.
2. Sledding. Though I grew up in a snowy region, it is very flat up there, so we had no sledding hills to speak of, unless you count the giant snowpile at the end of a cul-de-sac that the kids used to use when the snowplows made one. (we were forbidden to go over to that neighborhood, I don’t know why.) When we were little my dad would drag us around on our Red Flyer sled, but no downhill sledding. But as an adult I got to experience sledding with my kids; it is so fun and it made my husband laugh to see how much I enjoyed it. For a while we lived in a house that was right near a small park that had the perfect sledding hill and you can bet I was getting the kids out there as often as I could when it was sledding weather.
3. Winter clothing. It’s a combination of modesty and disliking short sleeves, but I really like getting bundled up in my winter outfit. I have a winter coat that is a hand-me-down from one of my sons; it’s black leather and looks pretty tough, and has lots of pockets. I also love my Carhartt beanie that DH found for me, so much so that I got everyone in the family one. I adhere to the Scandinavian motto, ‘No such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”
4. Snow shoveling. Is it weird that I get a lot of satisfaction out of clearing the driveway and walkways? It’s good exercise AND gets something necessary done.
5. Baking and cooking. It’s delightful to bake in the winter. Not so much in the summer, when it heats up the house. But winter is a time for experimenting in the kitchen, making soups and baking treats.
Bottom Five:
1. Illness. People get sick in the winter–and they GO places. I do not understand this. My husband said most of his (graduate) students were sneezing and coughing all over the place. Look, the lower temps make your immune system weaker (especially if you’re not wearing your winter clothes, see #3 above). STAY HOME if you’re sick, if you can. The dry air means viruses and airborne particles can travel faster, and more people are inside, so this is the time to boost your immune system with good food and exercise and rest. So far we’ve been fortunate, but I’m always a little on edge about it in the winter.
2. Bad drivers. Especially the drivers who don’t clear all the snow off their cars. THAT IS A HAZARD. Once I was driving on the highway and a van passed me and a huge chunk of snow flew off the top of the van and hit my windshield. HAZARDOUS.
3. Not being able to have windows open much. This makes me sad as well as our cat, who adores an open window for sniffing the air and hearing the outdoor world. We have a window in the garage, but it’s too cold even for that for him right now.
4. The pre-snow panicky stockpiling I see people doing. People, those extra milk jugs you’re buying are going to go off before you use them. 4-5 inches does not a Blizzard of ’78 make. It’s not like you’re going to be stuck inside for like Laura Ingalls during the Hard Winter. We have snowplows! Infrastructure! In two days you’ll be sheepishly driving to work again!
5. I miss outdoor bicycling in the winter. We have a stationary bike but it is not the same at all as being able to bike to the grocery store or library.
Elisabeth
Funny how winters were much more severe when I was a kid, but I didn’t mind them then! I wasn’t the one tending to wet gear or shovelling the driveway 🙂
I will admit that being inside on a snowy day and reading a book while sipping a hot beverage IS one of the best feelings in life.
I dislike shovelling. I get all sweaty and then my back aches.
I agree with you on the delicious foods and smells during winter, and I definitely spend more time in the kitchen (and more time lingering over meals at the table).
Oh…how did I not think to include illness in my Bottom Five. Yes, yes, yes!
I worry less about my own driving (I go slowly and drive for the conditions) and worry about the fact I can’t control how other drivers deal with the conditions…yet I could pay the price for their carelessness. When I’m able, if the roads are bad, I will avoid the highway and take back roads. I figure even if I get in an accident, it’s unlikely anyone will be seriously hurt because the speed limit is so much lower.
Julia
This time of year is when I start to feel very ready for some warmth and sunshine. We don’t have as long of a winter as you here in southern PA, but it has been really cold this year. Like you, the constant losing of mittens, outgrowing boots and coats, and bone chilling temperatures just start to wear on me!
I do agree on the beauty of the snow and the coziness of dark evenings curled up under a blanket, sipping hot cocoa and reading a book or watching a movie. Overall, I like having a change in seasons- I always feel ready for the next one when it comes!
Elisabeth
It has been so cold this year! It’s the cold, more than anything, that really gets me down. That and the days without any sunshine. It’s so grey AND cold. Blergh.
And I think, like you, I enjoy the seasons more because they do change. Each season has it’s own perks and challenges, but I’m sure I wouldn’t enjoy spring/summer/fall as much if I hadn’t lived through winter.
Jenny
Um. Well, I’m probably not the person you want to talk to right now. But this is the time of year I remember why I moved to Florida. Life in Florida is NOT perfect, but I’ll put up with the bad parts to escape winters. I did grow up near Chicago, so I’ll chime in with some winter negatives:
1. Being cold ALL THE TIME. There were days were I felt like my feet never warmed up, even in the house. My parents kept the house a little colder than I would have liked and I often wore my winter coat inside.
2. That feeling on your legs when you’re wearing jeans and you have to sit down in the freezing cold car- (and yes- the car would only start to warm up just as we were getting to our destination.)
3, 4, and 5. The gray skies that lasted all winter long. Maybe it’s not as bad where you live- but winter in the midwest is incessantly gray and depressing. The lack of sunlight in the winter is the main reason I moved away.
Hang in there, Elisabeth! Spring will come… eventually.
Elisabeth
Yes to all of this, Jenny. I already struggle with being cold and this time of year – despite all my best efforts, I still spend lots of time cold. It’s unavoidable. And it makes me so grumpy. It is the cold more than the snow that really, really brings me down. That and the grey skies.
I know spring is coming, and we are now eating supper in daylight! It feels so odd!
Laura
Sounds like you need 2-3 short trips to Florida each winter! Just a weekend. A few days of warmth to look forward to can change how everything feels…
Elisabeth
Yup. A few short trips sounds like a perfect antidote…
My dream retirement scenario has my husband and I living in Canada from April to Christmas, flying out to a timeshare in some warm, tropical location on Boxing Day through to the end of March. This is definitely on my list of 100 Dreams!
Maureen
Don’t forget “Mud” season. It has already started in West Virginia and I am over that. But then the ground freezes and thaws again, so we have mud again. It’s been like that for the month of February. The towels are getting so dirty with the wiping of the paws of the dog. But it does mean – spring is coming!!!
Elisabeth
Maureen, I HATE mud. It gets everywhere. Right now, it’s salt and puddles of melted snow (mixed with salt, so they leave white rings) all over the floors. But it’s still better than mud.
Oh dear, I’m afraid I’ve hijacked my Top Five with predominantly negative reflections. But that’s where I’m at with winter right now!!!
Love the positive spin on this – the mud does signal spring is on the way!
Birchie
The earliest that I ever remember us getting snow was on October 1. Once in a while we have a White Thanksgiving (that would be late November) but usually the snow doesn’t start until December, and we often get a warm spell in late Dec/early January. But then winter is done playing and sets in for real. There’s usually about six weeks where it’s cold and icy, and it’s just preferable to stay inside and hibernate. Usually the snow winds down by March, but it’s not unheard of to get snow in May. We really got lucky the past two winters with mild weather – let me tell you it was such a blessing to have a mild winter last year when we got the puppy.
Good stuff
– anyone with a dog wins at winter, because there is nothing better than seeing your dog’s joy at the snow
– the snow is pretty
– the joy on a child’s face when they learn that school is canceled
– winter activities: for me that’s hiking
– cozy time with the fam
– holidays! We have a lot of family birthdays around this time, so it’s one solid family party from Thanksgiving to mid January.
Bad stuff
– everything that you said
– having to cut the dog’s walks short when it’s too cold
– not being able to do anything except hibernate. There’s so much ice on the trails that it’s not safe to go hiking
– the darkness. I hate HATE the brutally short daylight in December.
My #1 coping strategy is a trip to somewhere warm. Even if it’s just a long weekend, it really helps. Bonus points if you take a trip to FL for a week to see our friends.
Elisabeth
Wowzers. October 1st! I’m pretty sure you’ve got me beat. We have had a skiff of snow before Halloween before, that much I know. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen snow falling in May…but there have been snow piles left over in early May. How depressing!!!
Love your “the joy on a child’s face” answer. So true!!!!
I need to get somewhere warm. It’s so hard with the kids needing to be in school (is learning and education really necessary? Maybe we should boogie out of Canada for a few weeks, Math be darned).
Maria
Things I’m currently loving about winter:
– The novelty of my kids skating on our (very quiet and VERY icy) street. As in, we essentially have an ice rink at our front door. The almost 5 year old is getting super confident thanks to this.
– The ability to do fun things like a free snowshoe hike hosted by the city at the park near our house. The kids getting to experience skating on a frozen lake.
– The beauty of snow and ice!
– The lack of bugs.
– Seeing how we all just get on with life even when there’s TONS of snow and literal inches of ice on everything because what else are you going to do in February in NB?
– The coziness of sitting inside on the couch reading to the kids as it blows and snows outside. And the fact that as we’re spending more time inside we’re getting to enjoy things like board games (the almost 5 year old is really into board games and it’s been super fun for us parents too).
– getting to see the tree shapes more clearly. I love the green leaves but I also find the shapes of bare trees beautiful and fun to observe.
– Notcing that even after a looong stretch of really cold weather there are subtle signs of spring coming eventually – there are nascent buds on many plants and trees if you look closely and I saw a robin today for the first time!
– The extra joy of feeling sunshine in winter!
– How wonderful -2 C feels after -10 C as a consistent high!
Things I’m less enthusiastic about:
– gearing up three kids to go out.
– the constantly having to wash my windshield when driving
– that it’s really hard to see road markings like lane lines and if this lane is a turn only or not.
Elisabeth
That skating opportunity sounds SO fun. They will remember that experience for the rest of their lives. (Where one of my sister’s lives, there is a path through the woods that gets flooded so people can skate through the forest – isn’t that the coolest thing ever? I’ve never gotten to do it, but I think about that every winter).
I appreciate how long your positive list is! And I agree with all of them! And yes, this morning my son looked at the temp and said, it’s only -5C! ONLY! But that feels balmy 😉
Grateful Kae
As I ran A to the bus stop this morning (because it’s fairly far away and it’s TOO COLD for him to walk all the way there), I also thought ” I am over this!!” It’s been bitterly cold this week here and that is just that worst for me. My least favorite things: lingering ice on the roads/ driveway. Everything is slippery everywhere. I also strongly dislike the in between when things partially melt but then refreeze. My garage is full of disgusting looking grey dirty slushy stuff that the cars drop, which we then inevitably track into the house. In general my garage just needs a cleaning and has extra winter related “stuff” laying around that annoys me, but it’s also too cold to spend any time out there organizing or attempting to clean up the floor, either!
The cars are covered in salt and grim so if you bump them, you get your jacket dirty. The inside of my van…. ew. The floor mats are white and spotted with salt and slush and dirt. I cannot comfortably walk Charlie when it’s this cold, and when I do, I’m cold and am on the verge of breaking my neck half the time on ice (only part of our neighborhood has sidewalks, and even where the sidewalks are, there’s a lot of variation of how well people have cleared them…). It’s a “production” to go outside due to the various layers needed.
Oh, and this probably sounds crazy, but when it gets super cold here, it tends to be SUPER sunny. Which sounds nice, but then it just reflects off all the snow and is SO bright and blinds me. (With my contact lenses, my eyes have always been extra sensitive to light…I wear sunglasses, but still.) And the sun isn’t warm, anyway, so what’s the point? I’d really rather it were just partly cloudy or lightly overcast!
On the plus side, snow is pretty when it’s fresh and not dirty or dog-pee stained. Ha. It is cozy at night with the fireplace and we still have twinkle lights up. I’m with you on the no bugs thing!! I like having multiple seasons and I do like having “winter”, but I just wish it never got below about 30 degrees F, I think. And if it could just snow only on the grass, never on the roads or sidewalks or vehicles, that’d be great. 😉
Elisabeth
Oh my goodness – the bumping up against the car and getting covered in grey salt/slush dust is SO ANNOYING. Yes. I hate this, too. And we get car washes every week or so and it lasts for like 10 minutes (important to help prevent rust, but it is frustrating). And the inside of my vehicle is a disaster. Salt stains everywhere.
And YES. Getting outside is such a production. So many layers and so many things to store.
Your idea of snow ONLY falling on grass and never roads/sidewalks is genius. Who do we talk to about that? Is that what senators are for?
Grateful Kae
HAHAHA this made me LOL… is that what senators are for?? I’m going to write a letter today and try it! 😂
Elisabeth
If it works I’ll follow your lead.
Diane
We’ve had some pretty mild winters, so I’m actually really enjoying our first “proper” winter in a while. The snow itself comes and goes, but the chilly temperatures have been consistent-ish, though there have been a couple 40 degree days that have felt downright balmy. Winter is less and less synonymous with snow here, I think. Just cold cold weather and darker days.
Okay – I’m going to do my bottom five first –
1) Being cold, especially my hands and nose. And then my eyes water and make my face cold.
2) Wrangling the kids’ hats and gloves and scarves and snow pants – the constant trail of winter gear all over the foyer. Arguing with the kids about whether or not they need to wear a hat. The ten extra minutes it takes to leave the house.
3) The dry air and chapped lips.
4) Waiting for the car to warm up.
5) Flu season, runny noses and coughs.
Top five –
1) My own hat and scarves and gloves. Any excuse to wear a hat is okay by me. My irritation at having to wrangle my kids’ snow gear is balanced by the delight I take in getting to wear a hat all the time.
2) Cozy sweaters and fleece lined pants.
3) Snow days, and pushing pause on life. Knowing that I’m lucky to have a warm cozy place to be.
4) The wonderful magic of snow falling. I once worked with a conductor who told me about how her mother would always wake them up to watch the snow fall, so they could see how beautiful it made the world.
5) Cold brisk air, reminding me that I’m alive and lucky to breathe. Warm sunshine on my face even when the air is cold.
6) A bonus one – Knowing that spring is coming.
Elisabeth
The arguing over what is suitable or not winter attire is an energy suck. At this point I just let Belle do her thing (which usually involves going out without a hat – I can’t even! – but to be fair she NEVER complains about being cold). But Indy is another story. He DOES get cold and he DOES want to go out underdressed. GAH.
Hate, hate, hate going out in the cold to start the car, defrost the windows, etc.
I don’t actually like wearing hats or gloves or scarves, so your #1 is part of my bottom list! Now that the kids are older, snow days are almost fun again. When they were little and I was working 3 part-time jobs from home snow days were a NIGHTMARE.
Love that imagery of a mother waking up her kids to see the snow fall. There is a unique magic of seeing snow falling outside at night.
Kristin W
As someone else said, I like the change in seasons and usually just about ready for the next when the previous season ends. Two more things to add to the Top 5 list for winter:
* Less going on! We have less get-togethers, less sports (my kids’ main sport is soccer which is a warm weather sport!), less community events, less reasons to leave the house. Making plans is harder as someone is inevitably sick and cancellations are not unusual. It feels good to have a season to take things a bit slower. With that “extra” time, we do more puzzles and board games in our house, which I love.
*Winter=no yard work! We bought a house with extensive landscaping so even though we have removed and cut back much over the years, it seems there is ALWAYS something to do. We also have a pool that requires regular maintenance in warm weather. It’s so nice to have a break!
Elisabeth
Yes! Having less going on is nice. And I feel like there are lots of sick days/cancellations. I’d say 1/4 of our extracurriculars get cancelled or skipped in the winter months. I’m not sad about it!
Agreed that is also nice to not have any lawn to mow or weeds to pull!
Suzanne
Top 5:
1. SNOW!!!! It’s magical and transformative.
2. Cold weather clothes. Give me all the long pants and boots and jackets. LOVE.
3. Skiing and snow shoeing!
4. Cold weather foods like soups and stews.
5. The delightful possibility of snow days.
Bottom 5:
1. Slush. It’s nice to have a little boost in temperatures, but I hate it when all the beautiful snow turns to grey, muddy mush.
2. Wet boot debris all over my laundry room floor. YUCK.
3. Endless cloudy days. This winter has been pretty great for sunshine, but some years it is grey grey grey and that is so wearying.
4. Being unable to wear cute shoes.
5. Winter illnesses. It has been a rough year for the flu and pneumonia and I am always on edge, waiting for my kid to bring something home.
Elisabeth
You LIKE boots and jackets. Suzanne, I’m pretty sure our friendship can endure this, but it’s damaging to say the least. JUST KIDDING. But I HATE wearing winter jackets and I HATE wearing winter boots.
Agreed on the cold-weather food. Yum.
Yes to all of your bottom 5. We have had a grey winter and it IS wearying.
Ernie
I hear you on winter. We live in a suburb of Chicago and the winters are cold. I’m not a fan of winter.
top 5:
1. A change of season means getting to switch up my wardrobe and sometimes a warm sweater is a welcome change
2. chili – I love my chili recipe and I only make it in the winter
3. Christmas
4. basketball season – we love b-ball and it happens during the winter
5. getting cozy under a blanket to watch a movie
bottom 5:
1. I hate being cold
2. Coach doesn’t grill as much, so I’m doing more meal prep
3. I hate going to the grocery store in the winter
4. I don’t go as many places with my daycare kids and we are all getting tired of being stuck inside
5. colds, germs, illness – the tots I sit for get colds often and bring them to my house. Curly had a sinus infection and the minute she started to feel better she got another cold. She’s still playing b-ball for her school and it’s hard to play with a runny or stuffed up nose.
6. Bonus – I miss running. I don’t run outside in cold temps, so the weather messes with my workouts and I don’t like anything to mess with my workouts.
I’m tempted to one day move somewhere in retirement that’s always warm, but if my kids all settle near Chicago – then I’ll not want to go anywhere. The end is in sight. I think? I’m ready to get outside.
Elisabeth
It is so much more of a hassle to go grocery shopping in the winter. And our grocery store parking lot doesn’t have a great option for snow removal so the too-small lot gets even smaller because they have two giant piles of snow.
SHU
As I read this I started drafting my top 5/ bottom 5 for summer – which is about 7 months long where I live. Cozy sweaters + hot beverages def come to mind as winter perks. I don’t like the cold, but I really do miss having some winter!!!
Elisabeth
I love the first week of winter. We have Christmas! Hopefully we have a snow fall! After that, it’s mostly downhill for me!
Michelle G.
Elisabeth, We also have long winters in Montana, and March is usually the worst month of all.
My top five things I love about winter:
1. No bugs!!! That is a big one!
2. I love cold weather! Within reason…I mean below zero isn’t fun. I have a high tolerance for cold, but anything over 75 degrees makes me feel sick.
3. I love the cozy dark evenings and mornings.
4. I love wearing sweaters, jackets, long pants, and anything flannel & fleece.
5. My town is a summer tourist destination, so in the winter a lot of people leave and it’s so much more relaxed.
My bottom five things about winter are:
1. Ice that makes walking and driving hazardous.
2. Shoveling, then having it all undone by another snowstorm.
3. Snow boots. I can never find a comfortable pair and I feel like I’m stomping around.
4. When the temperatures are dangerously below zero.
5. Dry, chapped skin. Montana is SO dry. All of my skin hurts!
Elisabeth
I have a LOW tolerance for cold. I’m such a wuss. Agreed with you on #5. Town is still busy, but it’s a very different type of busy.
My skin has been so dry this winter! I’m creaming and lip balming every day!!
Alexandra
Oh my word … yes, yes, yes! I whole heartedly agree with both your top five and bottom five in spades. Living in Quebec City is a challenge. We go from minus 30+ during the winter to now we’re getting 40+ during the summer. It’s insane.
I do agree, snow can be pretty … for a week or two. But for SEVEN MONTHS? That wasn’t listed in the “brochure” nor was the fact you go to the mall in winter you sweat like it’s the middle of summer, and then freeze during the summer like it was winter as they have the AirCon on full. Why? Just why?
It’s true that, if young, or at least younger than I am right now, this is a great winter sports place to live. It’s all here on our doorstep. But when older? All you think about is breaking something during winter and waiting 12 hours to be seen in a hospital.
And yes, silly me, I’ve lived here 26 years and I’m still moaning! 😆
Elisabeth
Yes, summers are definitely getting more extreme in Canada in terms of heat (and then of course the ripple impact of forest fires).
I would LOVE for winter to be over on January 1st. Give me a few inches of snow over the course of a week and then let’s move on and put winter behind us.
Don’t get me started on AC in the summer. It drives me crazy. How does anyone work in those places. It feels like a walk-in deep freeze.
Alexandra
I have to agree, I don’t know how any of us survive Canada’s weather, let alone the work environment. To cold in summer, inside, and too hot in winter. It’s crazy. And then, we all have allergies, I’m sure, because of it.
As a Brit, I won’t have AC in our apartment. I’d far rather a good fan and cold drinks thanks. People crank those things up to freezer levels. 😳
Elisabeth
We do have an AC, but don’t keep it very cold. Just enough to make our rooms bearable at night in the summer. And when I get into a hot car I’m very thankful for AC, but I always turn it down as soon as the seats have cooled down because it’s so easy to become a human popsicle!
NGS
For once in my life!! I was still thinking about that one in the car this morning on the way to work.
Top Five
1) The way my dog loves to play in the snow.
2) The way the neighborhood gets together to dig out after a big snowstorm and rally around people who are sick/injured to help them.
3) An excuse to make soup or cookies anytime I want to.
4) The feeling of being in a snow globe when it’s actively snowing.
5) Snow days when I can stay home and my husband makes me unlimited tea.
Bottom Five
1) It’s so dark all the time. The short days are painful.
2) I am never going to be warm ever again.
3) The fashion. I have to wear so many layers. I can’t look cute. I hate sweaters.
4) How long it takes to get ready to leave the house. I have to get the dog’s harness, shoes, and coat on and that doesn’t even account for my own hat, boots, and coat.
5) Driving in ice and/or snow.
But, you know what? Spring is even worse – the weather is constantly changing, there’s mud everywhere, and the trees are still naked and gross looking. Blech. Can we skip right to summer?
Elisabeth
#4 is probably my absolute favourite thing about winter. It IS magical and unlike anything else in nature.
Replace “kids” for “dog” in #4 and yes – everything you said.
I appreciate it’s warmer in spring, but I do hate how ugly the trees and such look. Another natural wonder is how almost overnight all the buds burst open and the trees are green again. I LOVE that transformation.
Sophie
You probably don’t want to hear right now what winter is like where I live. It’s sunny, mild, with tops of low 20s Celsius. Generally just wear jeans, t-shirts and maybe a light sweater or cardigan. Boots optional. The only negative would be it gets dark early- like 5pm, so no evening walks etc. And because it doesn’t get cold there is zero opportunity to wear warm winter clothes like proper boots, jackets and scarves (which can be fun in small doses). And of course no snow, so no sledding or other fun winter activity. But it IS good weather for lots of other activities outdoors (whereas summer is often too hot and humid.) I have WAY more negatives for our summer months.
Elisabeth
Sophie – you’re killing me! Sunny and mild? That sounds like perfection right now.
JMH
Your #4 made me laugh! I felt exactly the same when I lived in Minnesota, with our 8ish months of winter. Feb is a real slog so understandable that you’re pessimistic right now! After being in California for 13 years, I just can’t go back to that. We only visited over Christmas one time since moving and we said never again! Now we only visit in the summer when it is foggy and cold here. Funny though, my kids are desperate for a winter experience- they love the snow! But I will say I’d much rather visit snow for the weekend than live in it and Tahoe is close enough for a quick trip. A snow vacation is great for winter’s magical qualities. Hang in there , winter will eventually end!!
Elisabeth
I think February is the worst month. It is dead in the middle with no end in sight. At least with March, there is generally some sign of spring by the end. But February is just…cold…dark…icy.
I think that a winter vacation to a snowy spot sounds like the perfect balance. All the benefits of winter with none of the long-term drawbacks.
Katherine B
Do you remember in the first Narnia book the White Witch made it “always winter but never Christmas”? That’s what it feels like currently and I can’t even blame snow or cold. We have had no snow here in Lincolnshire this winter, which is actually quite sad, and temperatures this weekend are due to hit 15 degrees centigrade, sorry don’t know what that is in Fahrenheit.
Elisabeth
YES! I do remember that and it encapsulates how I’m feeling perfectly. I mean, we DID have Christmas and it was wonderful, but now it’s just winter and too much of it for my liking!
Shelly
Top 5
That we are often sunny
Feeling cozy inside with a book and coffee and no guilt about going outside
It looks beautiful (from inside)
When it is not quite so cold a walk outside
Bottom 5
Being cold all the time
That the last 10 days we have had minus 30 every night and extreme cold warnings everyday.
Being cold
Icy roads.
Wind
I could totally appreciate summer and not have winter
Elisabeth
I do love the cozy vibes that winter provides; though I hate when I’m cozy inside and notice the plow has gone by and blocked the end of the driveway with heavy, slushy snow.
I am also cold most of the time and it gets wearisome. I legitimately think it does sap my energy because my body is working so hard to temperature regular. And the wind. Oh the wind. It has been SO windy here. Wind chill is very unpleasant!
Tamara in S Calif
I live by the beach. Today I walked there in short sleeves and sandals. Sorry not sorry!
Top 5
– The gorgeous winter sunrises and sunsets. If I were science minded I’d understand why, but I’m not, so I don’t, but I sure do enjoy them!
– Hot Gluhwein, a habit we formed while visiting our DD and her family and attending Christmas markets during their four year stint in Germany. It can be found here in the States at big box wine stores. It’s cozy and warm and lovely to sip by the fire during long cold winter nights. Cold is relative I know, generally we don’t see much lower than mid-50’s F at night, but in contrast to summer’s nightly mid-60’s F it’s chilly!
– Gray Whale migration season! We’re in the midst of it currently, and I keep a small pair of binoculars in my purse just in case I spy one surfacing. Currently the majority are returning from Mexico back to Alaska with babies alongside, which is even more exciting. Fingers crossed!
– Holiday lights! Around here they turn the palm trees into lighted candy canes by wrapping red and white lights around the trunks, which I just love.
– Kayaking in the pre-summer calm of our harbor. Soon craziness will descend as summer descends, but for now it’s still and quiet on the water, and just so peaceful.
Elisabeth
I’m trying to be happy for you, but it’s a stretch right now. It’s cold, grey, and miserable here and I will be walking on ice in heavy winter boots shivering while you’re cartwheeling on the beach!
Whale migration! How cool. And I love that you keep a pair of binoculars handy.
Central Calif. Artist Jana
Elisabeth, what a great post—thank you! Please forgive me for not seeing it until the day after you posted. Thank you for the link to my blog. Is it rude or funny that today’s post is about planting daffodils and greenery?
Your winters are rather daunting. I could make a similar I HATE THIS list for summer’s around here, which can go from May through October. If I lived in your climate, my winter good list would be sweaters, knitting, wood stoves, no bugs or heat, and the sheer breathtaking beauty. And the bad list would be topped by gear management—ugh.
P.S. There are many vacation rental homes in my little foothill town in Central Calif. at the entrance to Sequoia National Park, where you can drive to the snow (unless the Park is closed, which it often has been since tough guys like my husband retired from plowing their roads.)
P.S #2 Now I am going to read through all the comments!
Elisabeth
Let’s call it ironic!
I do think that what we struggle through in the winter is partially offset by our beautiful summers and even nicer fall season.
There are a lot of complaints!!! Sorry. I do think I’m skewed to the negative in my perspective on Canadian winters…
Lisa's Yarns
Ugh I am right there on the struggle bus with you! It’s been a fairly mild winter in terms of snowfall but the -30F windchills really suck. My list of dislikes is a lot longer than likes as well. But I’ll limit myself to 5 of each:
Top 5:
1. The snow is very pretty and it is pleasing to look at. Plus my kids are at/getting to great stages for playing in the snow (if it’s not too cold out which is a challenging needle to thread).
2. I love using our gas fireplaces. We have one in our living room and our bedroom!
3. Taco’s birthday, my birthday and Paul’s birthday all fall during “winter”. Technically Taco’s bday is fall since he was born 12/3 but there is nothing fall-like about 12/3. Also we have Christmas!
4. It’s the season for cozy one-pot meals like soups and chilis and such. We eat them year round but they are especially good on a cold winter day!
5. I love all the lights, inflatable snowmen, and other decoration – which we have none of to be clear! But I enjoy what others do!
Bottom 5:
1. I’m always cold.
2. My skin is so very dry.
3. There are so many illnesses circulating because we are more cooped up.
4. We are so cooped up and have limited options to entertain our children. Life is easier when we can go to parks on the weekend. I know there are people who say there is no bad weather but I am not taking my kids to the park when it’s below zero and/or windy. Nope nope nope.
5. All the outerwear is so much to manage and our oldest is very prone to losing things so I always feel like I need extras of everything!
Elisabeth
Gas fireplaces are so nice – the warmth and the ambience. I don’t use ours nearly enough.
I love one-pot meals. Like you, I make them year-round, but agree they taste extra delicious in the winter (and they make the house smell good and inviting when we’re coming in out of the cold).
I have never been so “dry” as I have been this winter.
And yes. We also have a child prone to losing things and it is such a nuisance to find replacements and/or try to track down the things that have gone missing.
Stephany
I don’t have anything to add to the winter debate. All I know is that when we get a cold day (I woke up to 41F this morning, which probably sounds STEAMING HOT to you, but was freezing for me, ha) and I was like, “How do people in actually cold climates DO THIS???”
But I could definitely talk your ear off on a top 5/bottom 5 for summer. Our summers are sooooo long, ugh.
Elisabeth
Stephany – we complain, we die a little inside every single winter day, and we grit our teeth until spring.
Okay, it’s not THAT bad, but my goodness the cold can start to feel so isolating and oppressive. That said, we have BEAUTIFUL summers and fall is just…the best. So I suppose there is no perfect climate and I have to take the bad with the good!
Melissa
You know when the topic of your winters comes up I always say I could not do it. We rarely get temperatures close to zero (C) here, and it has only snowed here twice in my lifetime. Both times were around dawn, and the snow only formed a light layer on the ground that melted within the hour.
My favourite winter things are wearing my winter wardrobe, sunny mornings with frost (although frost is less likely since we moved because we are closer to the sea), dark mornings, wintery hot drinks, soups stews.
Least favourite: less daylight (I shouldn’t really complain 7:30 am – 5 pm are our shortest daylight hours), cold winds, grey days, having to take vitamin D.
Elisabeth
I cannot imagine living my entire life with only TWO SKIFFS OF SNOW, ever. It is just so far from my reality!
Cold, windy, grey days are my least favourite thing in any season!
Suz
I would imagine, that if your winter was shorter, you could tolerate it with a bit more joy. I can’t imagine. I mean, it looks SO PRETTY from here, but I’m not a big fan of winter when we’re at our place in Georgia (the mountains) and you’d probably feel like it was summer to you.
Way down here in Sunny SW Florida, winter is our most beautiful season. Literally, it is full of Canadians who flee the tundra to enjoy our mild weather, walking around in shorts and flip flops in February. We were running our air conditioner most of last week, if that gives you an indication of our current temps.
I’m giggling at you either being boiling cold or freezing hot. HA! We’re finicky things, aren’t we?
Elisabeth
You’re so right – the winter’s can be soooo long here in Canada. This one especially!
Anne
I wasn’t going to comment since this post is getting old, but feel compelled to contribute a few positives and negatives…
Positives? the way snow and ice and frost sparkle in the sunlight; the bare trees; the general sense of, well, slowing down.
Negatives? polar vortices (this year was bad…), never being warm, utility bills through the roof, and other drivers.
That said, it is March, and while I know it will get cold again despite what the 9-day forecast says (highs in the 60s? not going to happen..), it will be more short-lived. We are getting there!
Elisabeth
Agreed that slowing down IS a nice side effect of winter. I actually like dark evenings (unless I have to go out and drive in them)!
I agree with ALL of your negatives.
We did have some warmer temps and now…? It’s -12C again. *Sigh*
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Well… you know I am leaning towards winter is great gimme more. I am very happy that this year we actually had snow for multiple days AND it was cold like -10 degrees. I loved it. Very much. I could have had this kind of weather for some more weeks but I am not complain because last winter we didn’t have the cold at all.
However, I am not sure how I would feel living in your corner of the world. I may be ready for spring in March too. Who knows.
Elisabeth
I am ready for spring, especially now that the time has changed! It’s light so late and it doesn’t feel “right” to have snow on the ground when it’s sunny until 8 pm!