Monday, February 11, 2008

The Belly of Winter


The holidays are over, the first few beautiful snows have come and gone. The temperatures have hit rock bottom. Is it any wonder that many of us start to feel a little uneasy this time of year? Even though T S Elliott has said that April is the cruellest month, I have always felt that February is far worse. There really is no promise of spring yet. Winter is growing old. The lack of sun starts to take its toll on the collective psyche of the metropolitan area, leaving most people a little crankier and sullen than usual. When I think of Chicago, I think of people with a big warm smile, but not so much in February. This is the month that I wonder why people don't hibernate. I'm jealous of bears. I want nothing more than to curl up under a pile of blankets and stay there until the sun moves further north and the world is a little brighter again.

13 comments:

lulu said...

That is one of the things I do NOT miss about Chicago. I got an email from Jane the other day saying that when I got homesick I should just remember that is 73 degrees here and something like minus 10 windchill there. I'm still homesick, but I'm warm, and I have no wish to kill myself, which was always an issue with me in winter in Chicago.

Have some nummynumpkins and read a book, that usually works.

Johnny Yen said...

I feel like February in Chicago is a long cold march.

One of the reasons I went back to school is to be able to afford to retire someday somewhere with decent weather. Seattle would be nice.

Gifted Typist said...

Chicago is not unlike my town in February. I've given up pretending to be otherwise: I am hibernating mammal, hear me snore!

Cup said...

While I think I'd enjoy living in a more winter city, I have to admit I love having weekends like this past one — mid-sixties and sunny. We'll have more bitterly cold days, but it sure is good for the soul to have a few days of spring sprinkled in.

Tenacious S said...

OK, at least it snowed yesterday and it's white again. Gray skies and gray snow just about send me over the edge. Spring is coming...

Joe said...

I'm with you, sister. Hibernation would be a blessing. Or maybe an annual migration south, at least.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Moderator said...

This February seems particularly cruel. But I think I say that every year.

GETkristiLOVE said...

I agree. February is prolly my least favorite month - sick of winter, and not yet spring.

Dale said...

You took the words right out of my brain. It's miserable (me) and cold (the weather) here. Thankfully, we've been given a new holiday here in Ontario called "Family Day". If I can successfully avoid them on Monday by sleeping through it, I'll be happier.

echo said...

Maybe if we did body shots off the "Belly of Winter" it wouldn't seem so bad....

Tenacious S said...

Silly Echo, don't you know that alcohol increases your chances of getting frostbite? Sure sounds like a good time though!

echo said...

T, frostbite-schmostbite! Recommend that someone change their name to winter. Anyone??

Cap'n Ergo "XL+II" Jinglebollocks said...

remember that Garrision Keillor said that Feb. is the month that God invented so those people who don't drink will know what a hangover is like.

I agree with him, and I live in the Sunshine State. What a shitty, shitty week it's bean!