Winter Fun!

Winter has arrived! In the Northern Hemisphere it is commonly regarded as extending from the winter solstice (year’s shortest day), December 21st or 22nd, to the vernal equinox (day and night equal in length), March 20th or 21st. It is the time when the sun is lowest in the sky, resulting in short days, and the time of year with the lowest atmospheric temperatures for the region. The name ‘winter’ comes from an old Germanic word that means “time of water” and refers to the rain and snow of winter in middle and high latitudes.

There is something special about winter that always brings back memories from childhood. Playing hide and go seek between conifer trees covered with snow, going sledding down steep hills while the blistering cold air hits your face, having a snowball fight with friends and getting nailed in the noggin or making an igloo that never really turned out the way we imagined it would! These memories are infinite, and they are very precious. I hold them dear to my heart!

There is one memory of a traumatic event that I will never forget. I was nine years old, and it was my first time stepping on skis. I will never forget the excitement I felt going up the hill and not knowing what to expect going down. My first attempt at skiing ended terribly – I broke my leg. I literally skied for 5-6 meters before falling and breaking my leg. I think I might have set a world record there! I wore a cast from my toes to my hip for three months. It was an event that basically ruled out skiing as an activity I would ever try again.

When it is cold, your body has to work harder, which leads to increased endorphin production. More endorphins in your body give you a happier state of mind while at the same time relieving stress. Even though the days are shorter, there is something about cold days that warms us up on the inside. It makes us get in touch with ourselves. On the other hand, you can experience winter blues and not be a happy camper during the winter months!

There are many reasons to love this season. The little pleasures are sometimes not so little. The smell of fresh winter air is soothing. The sunrises are breathtaking and quite magical. The reflection of the sun on a frosty cold morning reflecting off the fresh white snow is sensational. Curling up with a good book is an intimate experience that is very special. Snuggling up with someone that you love on a cold winter night is hard to beat. Opening windows to let cold, fresh air come in is so refreshing. One of my favourite things? No mosquitoes!

Happy winter!

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”

― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass

KEYWORDS/KEYPHRASES

-hide and go seek: a children's game in which one or more players hide and the other or others have to look for them; hide-and-seek

-noggin: a person's head

-igloo: a type of dome-shaped shelter built from blocks of solid snow, traditionally used by Inuits

-rule out: exclude someone or something as a possibility

-endorphins: chemicals (hormones) your body releases when it feels pain or stress

-winter blues: a feeling of depression or deep unhappiness associated with experiencing the cold and darkness of winter

-happy camper: a comfortable, contented person

-curl up: to sit or lie in a position with your arms and legs close to your body

IDIOMS

Break the ice

To start a social or friendly conversation; to start something

“Before we begin to discuss today’s agenda, let’s break the ice a little bit. I know we have some new people in the group, so let’s get to know each other first.”

The tip of the iceberg

A small part of something that is much bigger and often unseen

“These protests are just the tip of the iceberg. I think there’s much more going on that we don’t know about yet.”

In the dead of winter

In the middle of winter, when the days are short, dark, and cold

“Even in the dead of winter, there are many wonderful outdoor activities to do in Canada.”