The Doldrums of Winter

We are in the slack end of winter. The days are growing longer but the temperatures remain cold and the longer hours of light just reveal a frozen desert. Each day creeps by pretty much like the last. We are becalmed on the ice-choked sea of winter. Spring is in sight, a ghostly shape on the far horizon, but we cannot reach it yet.

This is the time when the winter season becomes most tedious--not during the dark of the year, those days lit by light and celebration, fresh snow and cozy homes. No, this is the bitter end-bone of the season, the traditional starving-time of winter when the root cellar and pantry were down to the last, least-favored supplies. Even now, despite modern grocery stores and air-fresh produce, I find myself longing for the fresh greens of spring, something full of life.