It is the dead of winter.
There is as much winter in front of us as behind us.
It is the dead of winter and there’s been very little snow and not much frigid cold.
Still, we must bundle up warmly lest we should freeze. There is no such thing as wearing short sleeves and bathing suits outside.
In addition, the dark mornings and early dark late afternoons demand our attention and alter how we feel.
All that darkness framed by much less light in between weighs on our mental well-being.
Some claim it burdens our souls.
It is the dead of winter and we are alone in our own thoughts. We battle the elements.
It is not like we are living in Florida with the air conditioning on inside our homes 24/7.
At this point in the New England winter we are sure there is going to be more snow.
We don’t know for sure how much. We just know it is coming.
The earth may be warming but the New England winter is relentless.
All the snow we haven’t got in December, and so far in January, could come in February and March.
Life slows down at this time of year.
Most of us get into a winter funk.
It is the dead of winter.
There remains about 90 days of cold temperatures, snow and ice in front of us.
That’s a lot of life facing us. A lot can happen in 90 days.
The streets aren’t as crowded. Traffic is lighter.
During this winter, the third year of the pandemic is well underway with no easy or quick end in sight.
Restaurants and small shops of all kinds are struggling. Travel is spotty.
It is a time to hunker down and to remain at home.
In three months, we’re out of this annual New England madness.
Our world starts coming back to life in three months. Given where we are at, that is an eternity of time. Right now, it is the dead of winter.