Old Man Winter has arrived:
Bringing with him icy winds and falling snow.
We step outside into the unwelcoming cold,
Bundled up in our warmest coats, boots, hats and gloves.
We walk down streets,
Shivering in the cold,
Heads down as we try to avoid his icy fingers.
The concrete grey is reflected in the greyness of the sky
Against which is silhouetted the bare fingers of naked trees.
Yes, Old Man Winter has arrived
And with his arrival we hibernate:
plants, animals and humans.
We seek shelter away from the cold and grey
Eagerly awaiting the colours and warmth of Spring.
Do you enjoy the time of Old Man Winter?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2013
Definitely arrived, an earlier than normal. Sure hope that is not an omen for January and February.
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I am hoping that too Frank. I would not appreciate a long and bitterly cold winter.
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The latest snow just missed us … but I imagine you won’t be so lucky.
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As I am reading you response, it is snowing outside 🙂
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That’s what I figured. We are on the rain side of the front, but it’s a cold rain.
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Brrr!
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I enjoy the hibernating part of winter. Old Man Winter paints a pretty snow scene, though.
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That he sure does 🙂
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Dear Colline
What a beautiful description of the old man’s icy fingers! Our winters is not nearly so cold as you experience. In the part of South Africa we never even see snow during winter. Oftentimes we wear summer clothes during our winter, because we get really warm days as well. But spiritually this is the time when beautiful new growth is happening in your heart.
Blessings XX
Mia
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I remember those winters from my youth and think back to the days of going to school in a school and bobby socks. My girls would not be able to do that here 🙂
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*smugly* We’ve just had ours. Didn’t notice it much. The conditions are awfully darned damp at the moment, though!
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To be honest, Colonialist, the winters in South Africa should not be called such as they are so mild. And I am not surprised you barely noticed it. All I can say is that you have a right to be smug 🙂
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Of course, there may not be so much frost and snow, but believe me it can become very chilly indeed in some inland spots. The flatlands of the Free State could well be called Freeze State when the icy winds blast across.
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Not a place I would want to visit then during Winter!
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It takes such pretty pictures but I hate that cold stuff, Colline. Have to get used to it for a while. Christmas takes your mind off it but after that it’s bleak 😦
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I agree with you. What they began here a couple of years ago is a family day in mid-February. It fall on a Monday and many people are able to stay at home and spend time with their families. It does tend to break the monotony of the winter and give you something to look forward to.
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Nice idea 🙂
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We do enjoy it – and often we spend the time together hibernating 🙂
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I prefer Old Man Autumn 😉 Keep warm, Colline!
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Me too. But it seems that Old Man Winter has come early this year!
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I get out for my morning runs in the icy cold and find it to be a peaceful way to start what is usually a crazed day. BUT the temperatures have plummeted today and we are expecting the first major storm of the season tomorrow. I am retreating to a temporary hibernation mode!
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A perfect idea. I do find walking in virgin snow just after a storm very quiet and not so cold. It is the day after that I find to be very chilly. Brr! I am guessing that next week will be even colder than the past one.
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If our December is this cold, I can’t help but wonder what January will bring. Maybe the Old Man will be spent and he’ll let us off easy, Colline. 🙂
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That would certainly be pleasant John. I suspect, though, that he will not let us off that easy 🙂
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I love looking at all your pictures and reading your lovey poems from my warm hearth Colline! I wouldn’t survive an entire winter there!! 🙂
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It has taken me a long while to get used to Madhu – yet February is still too long 🙂
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I’ll have to see whether I like him or not, when I get up to New Jersey next week. 🙂
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He is fun to meet with for a while. I do admit to getting tired of his company after two months. 🙂
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Yes, one can have too much of a good thing. 🙂
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I am no fan of Winter, but I am learning to tolerate and even enjoy parts of it. New snow is always fun to photograph and Winter walks are not so bad if I’m dressed warmly enough!
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I enjoy walking in the snow before it turns to slush. And can’t say that getting my boots wet is fun. I do prefer winter, though, when it snows. To be cold without the beauty of snow seems to make winter longer.
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Love winter. Yes. I do.
I love the look of the landscape during the winter, especially after a fresh snowfall. One of my favorite adventures during the winter is to go on a long walk during a gentle snowfall. It is a meditation-inspired adventure. No one is out. The streets are quiet. Few drivers. The landscape is magical and awe-inspiring. Worries seem to drift away, to be replaced by the expansiveness of nature and a reminder that we are part of something that is not under our control. This is freeing.
However, it is quite cold. I bundle up. And when I return to the warmth, the contrast is pleasing – an escape from the cold!
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I love walking in the snow at moments like those as well. I feel at one with nature and it is so peaceful.
And then the hot chocolate when I get home is always welcoming 🙂
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winter here is rain and more rain…so no…I don’t enjoy it at all
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I don’t blame you – I do not enjoy endless days of rain either.
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We don’t have snow but I was surprised to feel Old Man Winter here in Okinawa, because when we arrived in August it was burning hot.
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He has certainly arrived earlier this year!
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