Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Winter Doldrums


Just what are the winter doldrums? According to Dictionary.com - a doldrum is – a noun ( used with a plural verb )

1. a state of inactivity or stagnation, as in business or art: August is a time of doldrums for many enterprises.
2. the doldrums,
a. a belt of calms and light baffling winds north of the equator between the northern and southern trade winds in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
b. the weather prevailing in this area.
3. a dull, listless, depressed mood; low spirits.
And according to World English Dictionary - a doldrum is:doldrums (ˈdɒldrəmz) — n
1. a depressed or bored state of mind
2. a state of inactivity or stagnation
3. a. a belt of light winds or calms along the equator
b. the weather conditions experienced in this belt, formerly a hazard to sailing vessels

January, of course, qualifies for one of the months in which the doldrums sets in. I've read where many people suffer from the winter doldrums, some very severely. Maybe it's the lack of sunshine (we're talking about the north, where the colder climates prevail, by the way. I know the sun shines all the time in the south, in the warmer climates).

 I used to suffer from the winter doldrums sometimes. I mean seriously, let's face it. Christmas is over, the tree is down, the warm glow of cheery lights has been removed and all that's left are dreary days and snow. Lots and lots of snow.

Okay, so far this January we've been lucky. Here it is the 5th and besides being cold (only 27 for a high today), we've not had much snow. I have a feeling that’s going to be remedied very soon. Right now we’re getting flurries and there’s even a light coating on the ground. In fact, the sun is out. Yay! We’ve actually had several sunny days so far this year. And the end of December was unseasonably mild going up to almost 60 degrees. That’s unheard of for December around here.

I’ve noticed the last couple of years, I’ve not suffered from the winter doldrums. Maybe it’s my age and the fact I no longer have to go out in the cold and snowy weather if I don’t want to. I can stay in my nice warm house and write or sleep or do whatever I want.

That’s a nice place to be in life. And although I look forward to Spring and the warmer temperatures so I can go out and walk, I’m content to stay inside for now and watch it snow. Life is good.



6 comments:

Charlie said...

Nice piece. I find myself following your trail. Whether it's age or wisdom, I accept the less traveled road much more often. Thanks for sharing.
C.K. Volnek

Larion aka Larriane Wills said...

oh, that's what's wrong with me. lol

Christopher Hoare said...

Did you want some of that snow I offered? I shovelled half the deck this morning (other half tomorrow) and I've got some good chunks you could build an igloo with.

Think of the fun. Parka and mitts, some of those smart Inuit mukluks ... and when finished you could go back inside an have hot chocolate. Insulated from doldrums forever.

Chris H.

Barbara Ehrentreu said...

I feel the same way, but because I need the money I have to work. My work takes me in and out of my car and into other people's houses. All I want to do is be in my own and writing!!!! Grrrrr!!!!

You make your life sound so cozy. I can't think of anything better than sitting around a fire and sipping hot cocoa!!!

Roseanne Dowell said...

We have enough snow, thank you very much. And more on the way this weekend. Ah, I remember those days when we went outside and built igloos (or tried to) and forts and had snowball fights. Those were the days. Cold didn't bother us.
Sipping hot cocoa in front of a fireplace would be great. Alas, I have no fireplace. Most of the time my life is cozy, but not always. Like today when my computer acted up. GRRRR....

Brenda Kezar said...

Winter doldrums are unavoidable around here. It snows every other day and the temperature is regularly below zero (add in the wind chill, and -25F is how it feels at least a couple of days a week). You just about have to board up the windows because even a glance outside is depressing!

This is one of those places where EVERYONE has an auto-start in their car, LOL!