Winter Joy

/ J. F. Riordan

I don’t know why you’d live in Wisconsin if you didn’t like winter. Because I must say that the recent—and upcoming—storms have brought me a great deal of happiness. I know winter-hate is a thing, but I don’t really understand why. First, it’s beautiful. Second, there are no bugs. Third, NO BUGS. Fourth—but most important—it transforms the whole world into a different universe. In other words, it’s the closest thing I know to magic in real life.

Today we woke up to a couple more inches. It is a warmish snowfall, so it clings to the trees and rooftops, and everything is beautiful. We’re expecting hoping for nine more inches tomorrow. Ohyayohyayohyay….Then, next week, we are expecting the usual January cold to set in, with temps around ten below zero (Fahrenheit, for my international readers).

There is much to do. I have more than a hundred pounds of bird seed to buy to help the turkeys, deer, squirrels, songbirds, possums (and anyone else who’s interested) keep warm, and then it has to be hauled down the hill in the snow, one twenty-five pound bag at a time. As I have noted previously, I do not normally feed wild animals, but in weather like this, I think it’s inhumane not to try to help. And, for that matter, it’s a good time to send an extra check to the homeless shelters, where human need is heavy.

There must be a trip to the grocery store for all the things, little and big, that you might ordinarily run out to the store for on a daily basis. Going somewhere to just get out of the house isn’t really a thing in this weather, and it’s nice to have a pot of soup, or stew, or chili on the stove. I like to have ingredients for all of that on hand. Also, I can almost always finagle expired apples from the produce manager, and these are like crack for wildlife.

I have to make sure we have lots of logs for the fireplace. There’s no point in having a fireplace if you don’t enjoy it in this kind of weather. We have to make sure the gas tanks are full for both cars and the snowblower. Normally, my dogs don’t wear clothes, but in a polar vortex everything changes. I need to make sure the dogs’ winter gear is handy and ready to use. Paw balm is important, but boots are useless. They tear them right off. I’ve not yet figured out how to protect a German Shepherd’s sensitive and delicate ears, which they cannot bear to have covered, or even touched by strangers. I just have to watch the timer carefully when they go out. Flesh freezes fast.

Also, and I realize this is purely idiosyncratic: I have to buy spring flowers. Nothing is more delightful than fresh flowers in a winter storm.

As I look at this list, I can imagine someone thinking: that does not sound like fun. I understand. And it is inconvenient. But there is anticipation, and a delightful camaraderie as you go about town on your preparations. So long as you can be inside (which is essential), there is little danger in a storm like this, and our state is blessed with a power grid that is both healthy and resilient. People grouse cheerfully, and feel a sense of common cause in their mutual intrepidness. This is Wisconsin, after all, and we all feel just a bit smug about it.

Yesterday, as we cleaned up from yesterday’s storm and heard predictions of more to come, the heavy clouds were a deep snow-laden blue, foretelling the accuracy of the forecasts. The bare trees were deep purple and maroon in the demi-light, and they were outlined by the snow clinging to their trunks and branches. Everywhere was the sound of plows and snowblowers, and occasionally a scraping shovel. The deer were out browsing all night, causing frequent alarms from my vigilant shepherds. This morning, as the last flakes fall, the sun is breaking through. The turkeys were in full display, and spent more time than usual in their morning confab before setting off in their military line formation. Most of the birds are hiding, but the crows and the woodpeckers are busily conversing.

It’s been long-delayed, but winter is finally here.

It is pure joy.

36 thoughts on “Winter Joy”

  2. I love snow as well, I really miss snowstorms, having grown up in Illinois and then lived in Colorado – but the last 32 years I have been in the Netherlands, where we get very little snowfall. I can imagine the crunch of the snow underfoot going to feed the birds, deer, etc, it is wonderful!! Paw wax is important for the dogs. Mine have snoods for cold days here, but maybe dachshunds are easier to convince to wear a hat!!!!

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  3. Winter has always been my favorite time of the year for many of the reasons you stated. People think I’m crazy when I tell them that. You are a kindred spirit JF. Enjoy the peace and beauty with your babes.

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  4. It sounds like paradise to me. I’m so glad you’re filled with such happiness and, even better, sharing it with all of us. Love to the boys and I hope they enjoy catching lots of snowballs. Oh, and “crack for wildlife”, 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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  5. It is pure joy. I am right by your side in this. I enjoy getting ready for the weather and then hunkering down. Good to know I have a soul sister.

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  8. Living in the southeast where snow is a rare and sometimes crippling event, I love it. I’m retired and don’t HAVE to go anywhere. We sit back, feed the birds and squirrels, and marvel at the quiet. You’ve captured the beauty of it perfectly, and there are times I wish I lived in northern climes, but then again…;)

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  10. You painted wonderful images of your Wisconsin snowstorm(s), I’m envious. I live in the mid-Atlantic region. No significant snow for years. I smiled at the polar vortex mention because I vividly remember the Twitter photos of Pete, Moses and Auggie. Hilarious.

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  11. The scene you paint is picture perfect! Being a southern girl I don’t want to be in it, but it does make me smile as it brings back memories of occasional breathtaking white landscapes. Viewing it from a toasty warm house is the best!

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  12. Enjoy your winter. We’re in Montana for one more day, then head back east to go home. It’s bitterly cold this morning, only about 1 degree F now, expected to be -21 by dinner time. It’s snowing on the mountain & a few are tempting the cold to ski. I’ll be doing laundry & packing. Sadly, our train trip back across the country was cancelled yesterday by Amtrak. A good thing, as last December on a trip the restrooms in the coach cars froze in the bitter cold. I’ll be glad to get back home, but it’s been a nice vacation.

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  14. I agree with you 100%. It is magic. My woodlands & marsh look like a totally different place. And it’ SO beautiful.
    I filled my 6 big bird feeders yesterday & right now every perch is in use.
    I love my WI winter!

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  15. I am a lifelong, sunny California resident and long for the snow. To satisfy our desire to experience a snowy environment my husband and I make an annual jaunt, in the dead of winter, to beautiful Yellowstone National Park. In winter, Yellowstone is magical. Few tourists are there. Bison, elk, wolves have the run of the place, and, upon entrance, visitors are instructed to honor the wildlife’s ownership of the park. One can enter on a non-commercially guided snow coach. It is a glorious and intimate experience. If you time your visit right, you might be the only one to experience Old Faithful Geyser erupting against a snowy backdrop. An added pleasure is one finds limited connectivity in the winter freeing a snow-lover from texts, emails and the never-ending interruptions of the internet. I envy residents of locales who get to experience the magic of the 4 seasons. Yes, California’s mild climate is lovely too, but our annual jaunt to mesmerizing Yellowstone provides a much-needed contrast.

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  17. loved your ode to winter. i live in northern Vermont which is not unlike Wisconsin weatherwise. i moved here from NYC long ago because i do love winter and cold weather and the access to 4 definitive seasons. each season is so unique and brings different lifestyles and activities. personally i don’t know how people handle all the constant sunshine in california. the coldest days here are the most beautiful. sky is as blu as can be and with the sno it is magical. then there are nights with a full moon when you don’t need a flashight to walk the doggies. i could go on………………

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  18. While the older I get, the less I enjoy winter, you certainly enjoy an idyllic location with so much wildlife. I do enjoy the snow covered trees, but less a fan of the extreme cold. Still living in Wisconsin is a good alternative when faced with the weather conditions found in other states. The Yellowstone experience is one that is on my bucket list and one I hope to complete yet in my lifetime.

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  19. My husband is from Waukesha. I have been to Wisconsin a few times for summer family reunions…and once for a funeral in winter. I hated the cold and snow. Fortunately my husband loves living in California and he hates cold weather, especially snow…

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  20. In southwestern Ohio, we infrequently have winters with more than a few inches of snow at a time. My favorite season here is Autumn, when our trees blaze in golds and reds and mums decorate flower beds and front porches. Right now, I’m thinking of the man I recently met who is responsible for coordinating snow removal, and will drive a plow truck if necessary, for a large Wisconsin city. He and his crew have been working very long hours to keep streets clear and safe for its residents. However, I truly enjoyed your take on winter, and I love that you feed the wildlife. Everyone who loves the season should enjoy its wonders.

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  22. I love winter too – I recently moved back home to West Michigan to retire after 17 years in New Mexico. One of the main reasons, besides Lake Michigan, was winter. I have been absolutely giddy today as the storm arrived. My short legged, high desert dog, Tork, is not so sure Mom made the right decision. He will wear a coat now and we are trying boots tomorrow. I am not hopeful the boots will be tolerated- if not, back to the Musher’s Secret.

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  23. Yippie to snow! Sadly, right now we have what’s called, Stock Show weather, which means very cold (zero or lower at night) with not much snow, if any. It happens that for about a gazillion years, the Stock Show has come to Denver – to the old stockyards – and since it is usually frigid during that time it became known as Stock Show weather. But, most definitely, the sight of snow causes me to shout with glee! Enjoy and be safe!

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      • I fell asleep in my recliner last night; when I woke up about 2am, my phone was in my hand and I felt the dread of “Ruh roh, did I even finish a sentence? Eeek, what did I send?” Denver is -9 right now, according to my iPhone, but I have fully functioning electricity and heat, for which I am grateful. You all had quite the night in Wisconsin. I am familiar with being out in the beautiful snowy night and the eerie sound of tree limbs breaking and falling.😳 I’m thankful for your safety and your neighbors, as well.

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