Midwinter Doldrums

The days have taken on the monotony of winter, now that the major festivals are behind us.

There is a sameness to the slow tick of time; even our weather seems to be stuck in the same bone-chilling groove. Pre-dawn temperatures dip to below zero. As the sun struggles to a low zenith over the mountains to the south, the air may warm to the plus side of zero. Whatever clouds that form are either low on the horizon or thin wisps high in the frigid sky. This time of year, shadows are long and the sun is always in your eyes.

We have been drifting through the days, mostly puttering around the house. I am trying to find a computer game to play, one I can immerse myself into, exploring imaginary worlds to combat the scary cold outside and to lift me from the hum-drum of the daily routine.

After sunset and the long twilight, the night falls solidly outside, the cold pressing in through the windows, the stars unwavering in the dense, cold air.

You can feel it, the fallow-time of the earth, a time of resting and re-charging, a time of reflection and renewal.

After the hectic days that lead up to the holiday season, I actually welcome this quiet time.