Winter Never Lasts Forever

Posted by Sandra Wilkins

         Softly, snow floats to the ever-whitening ground.  All of nature seems to pause as if to respect the peacefulness.  Children and adults alike press their glowing faces to the cold panes of glass in great anticipation. 

          Well…maybe not.  When Oklahoma recently had another round of snow, I was jolted to reality as I recognized a lot of people aren’t fond of the fluffy white stuff. Around here, there is the frantic run to the grocery store at the first mention of it.  Fretting and worrying seem to be natural responses to the news.  A few inches cause school and church closings.  Complaints about bad roads and freezing weather are on almost everyone’s lips. 

          Then, I think about those hardy New Englanders under feet of snow.  They must certainly be tired of the man-made mountains and frigid temperatures.  How they survive is beyond me.  My hat’s off to them—they might need it anyway.  

          I have the feeling I’m in a minority when it comes to liking winter weather.  I adore sitting at my kitchen table with my steaming cup of coffee and watching the flakes drifting toward earth from the gray sky.  I think it’s a lovely sight.  It’s a reminder to slow down and delight in the beauty around me.  When it melts a day or two later, the roads are clear and it’s only a memory.   

          Sometimes it feels as if we’re stuck in a repeating pattern of drudgery, but things do change.  It’s the way of life.  So, if you’re one of those who is tired of the dreary days of bone chilling weather or if you have a battered, worn soul—just remember—winter never lasts forever. 

         Sandra Wilkins is busy writing another series while home educating her two daughters.  Ada’s Heart, Rose’s Hope and Gwen’s Honor are her first three published wholesome historical romances.  Go to www.sandrawilkins.com to find out more about her and her books. 

In a Nif-Tea Mood for Reading

Today's a snow day for me, which allows me to get some reading in. And perfect timing. I got my tea delivery yesterday. Yes, you read that right. My tea delivery. I get a lot of things delivered. Books (naturally), gifts, clothing, coffee, and...tea. 

My daughter turned me on to the Republic of Tea when she went away to school a few years ago and needed her tea fix on a regular basis. I would send her shipments with new flavors and some of them sounded so good, I had to try them for myself. A few sips of Caramel Apple and Pomegranate Vanilla, and I was hooked. So, yes, every month, my girl (now living home again) and I sit with the catalog, fight over the free sample that comes with it, and try to limit ourselves to no more than six flavors per order. It's not easy. They have black tea, green tea, red tea, white tea, herbal tea, and matcha. There's oolong, rooibos, and decaf. Loose tea or bagged. The possibilities are endless! Last month, they started a Downton Abbey collection with specific teas and flavors based on the popular television show. It's enough to make an Anglophile dizzy.

This time around, we grabbed the usual Caramel Apple for me, along with a Kiwi Pear and a Caramel Vanilla; she opted for Goji Raspberry, Chamomile Lemon, and Vanilla Apple Hibiscus. 

I have separate love affairs with tea and coffee. Coffee is my writing beverage. It's an adrenaline rush, a jolt that gets my creative spark awake and sends my fingers flying over the keys. Tea is my reading beverage. It's a slower, settling-in drink. There's something comforting in a cup of tea and a good book--especially when it's cold outside and I'm toasty warm inside. The word "cozy" leaps to mind.

So, yes, while the snow swirls and the wind howls outside, think of me, cozy in front of a roaring fire, a cup of caramel apple tea by my side, my current book open on my lap, a cat purring beside me. Now, if only I could get my husband to wear a waistcoat...