That Time of Winter

 

It's that time of Winter, when windows are flung open for hours at a time, and fresh air fills every room.  It's that time of Winter, when daylight lasts just a little bit longer, and the sun sets just a little bit later.  It's that time of Winter, when Spring flowers burst from florist tubs on city sidewalks.  It's that time of Winter, when droplets of thawing icicles sparkle in the sunlight.

It's that time of Winter, when the morning sun disappears behind a grey curtain, and only reappears for a final bow at the end of the day.  It's that time of Winter, when the iphone weather app shows two sun icons in a week of clouds and snowflakes - and everyone rejoices in anticipation of those two days of sunshine! 

  

It's that time of Winter, when Spring is so near, yet so far.  It's that time of Winter, when we can almost reach out and touch the new season...almost!

Photographs Copyright of:  Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.

We Don't Take Light Lightly!

Yesterday's blue skies, sunshine and fresh snow, made for a perfect Winter day in Toronto.  The clarity of light, and purity of the cold air were refreshing and restorative, giving us an energy boost to take into today's dull, grey and snowy day.  We briefly made peace with Winter...and Winter made a promise.  It won't be here much longer!  

Spring has already made an early appearance on Vancouver Island, where daffodils are blooming in sunny gardens!  I've seen the amazing photographic evidence!  

Here, in snow-covered Toronto, florists import Spring flowers to fill our homes and workspaces with colour.  Vibrant, sunny yellow forsythia, yellow-tipped coral parrot tulips, orange tulips with stripes of green, and fluffy pussywillows liven up a room, and brighten our spirits.  A happy bouquet of Spring flowers on your desk is welcomed by co-workers and clients!

Light and colour help us survive the dull, grey days and long, dark nights of Winter.  Seriously.  Survival is not an exaggeration.  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a recognized mental health disorder, related to depression.  We don't take light lightly!  

Sunlight and darkness trigger the release of hormones.  Sunlight passes through the retinas of our eyes, sending a cue to the brain, to release serotonin.  Serotonin is a hormone which lifts our mood, and helps us stay calm and focused.  Melatonin is a hormone which makes us sleepy.  At night, when it gets dark, serotonin is converted to melatonin.  It gets dark early in Winter.  Not enough sunshine, and too much darkness can bring on moodiness, irritation, and fatigue.

Phototherapy, or light box therapy each morning, has proven to help alleviate the symptoms of SAD.  Sitting near a special light box in the morning, sends a signal to the brain to stop producing melatonin, and increase the body's serotonin levels.   

It is important to protect our eyes from harsh sunlight bouncing off snow, however, removing sunglasses for just ten to fifteen minutes, will give the retinas enough time to send a signal to the brain to release serotonin.  Let the light in!

No animals were harmed in the making of this blogpost, however, the forsythia is a goner!  It did not survive the freezing temperatures, and its delicate yellow petals did not appreciate posing against the snow.  The more resilient tulips and pussywillows are now enjoying a little apres ski relaxation. 

  

Quiet Observation

Our ancestors lived in quiet observation of the world around them.  Letters to family in Europe describe the extremes of Canada's Winters and Summers, the exotic animals and plant life.  My Grandfather, who was born before the turn of the Century before this one, kept a weather diary, with his daily entries of rainfall, snowfall, bird sightings, planting and harvesting.

People have been observing nature for as long as we've been on the planet.  In the 1800's it became trendy!  Naturalists as well as ordinary men and women observed their world, and described it in words and illustrations.  Those who could afford travel, or who received sponsorship from a prestigious society, would travel to the far corners of the earth, and amass collections of rare plants, butterflies or seashells.  Today, their detailed drawings and notations are reproduced on chic home decor items. 

Categorizing specimens into family groups, and subgroups begins with observation.  In describing a flower, one considers whether it is part of a tree or shrub, whether it grows from a seed, or a bulb. The shape of the blossom, whether they grow on a single stem, or in a cluster, and whether they grow upright, or cascade downwards, are all important in distinguishing one flower from another.  Petals have different shapes, compositions, and textures.  Colour and pattern are very important distinguishing features.  The size and shape of the leaves, and whether the leaves are fine, or waxy, long or broad, are also important in classifying a flower.

Take a quiet moment to observe these images of Rabbit's Foot Pussywillow branches intertwined with a mixed bouquet of tulips...  

 

Photographs Copyright of:  Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.

A Hint of Spring

There's a sweetness in the air, and a lightness in the steps of people walking through the city.  As the days grow longer, the light itself has a lightness about it.  Spring is just around the corner...and up the street to the neighbourhood florist shop, or grocery store...

Photographs Copyright of:  Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.