Hello, friends. It’s February, which is always a long month, even though it’s a short one. (See also: endless pandemic fatigue, etc.)
We’ve had some snow and will have more, and I keep thinking of E.B. White’s words about cold weather: “firm, business-like cold that stalked in and took charge […] as a brisk housewife might take charge of someone else’s kitchen in an emergency.” My kitchen, thank goodness, is full of tea and flowers, but I can see White’s point.
Last week, my friend Anne Bogel shared, as she does every winter, the surprising daily things that are saving her life right now. (This year, it’s laundry.) I am a whole week behind in sharing my own winter lifesavers, but I wanted to do it because I believe the practice is important, even in this pandemic year.
I am still job hunting, still missing my people, still spending a lot of time alone in my apartment. But here are the things getting me through these midwinter days:
- Strong black tea, forever and always. I mostly drink MEM teas from Somerville, but have also been enjoying David’s Cream of Earl Grey lately.
- Clementines by the handful (I say this every winter) – tart, sweet and cheery.
- Nina’s writing class on Tuesday mornings – best Zoom of all, by far.
- Daffodils! So cheerful and bright. Spotted at the florist and at Trader Joe’s.
- Mini peanut-butter-filled pretzels, also from Trader Joe’s.
- Morning runs and daily walks in the neighborhood, even when it’s frigid. (I’m still aiming to leave the house at least twice a day.)
- Some really good books: New Yorkers by Craig Taylor, Wintering by Katherine May, A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey.
- Good pens and my Wingardium Leviosa Moleskine journal.
- Vitamin D pills, my happy lamp, and (best of all) real sunshine, some days.
- Daily check-ins with my guy, my friend Allison in California, and a couple of other dear ones.
- Martina McBride, whose music I have loved for years – but I’m rediscovering her badass-women anthems and sweet love songs, and they are saving me.
- Yoga – on Zoom for now, and maybe back in the studio soon.
- The knowledge that we have a competent administration in Washington working to combat this virus and other problems.
What’s saving your life these days? I’d love to know.
cakes, tea and dreams 
The Superintendant who shovels all the walkways in my apartment complex, the three new houseplants I splurged on, new books I bought to share with my class, my humidifier, my organized linen closet (snowy day project), stretching and drinking tea while I watch Call the Midwife in the evenings, the sun setting a little later each day, and the cheap bouquet of mini carnations I bought at the market a MONTH ago for a still life drawing project…they’re still going strong and everyone in our class loves them.
Oh, such a great list!
What is getting me through? Not wishing time away; but hoping the longest shortest month is over soon. Faith, hope and Sunrises (I know my dad is painting them), walks, and reading. Just read The Narrowboat Summer and am now in the middle of When Harry Met Minnie by Martha Teichner. Both are fabulous and should be read by everyone SOON! Happy Valentine Day!
Love that note about your dad! xo
We can each believe what we want to believe, but I fear the policies of the administration you call competent will produce more problems (i.e. issues such as the turbines in Texas).