Waiting out the Cold Winter Months in Vermont

Library of Congress: Winter Afternoon in Vermont, 1940.

Early this morning it was 12 below zero outside.  During the months of January and February, in northern Vermont, it is bitterly cold.  The ice stays all season long, making it a danger to walk and drive on.  We have to be cautious on our outings.

 This is the time of year when I tend to stay inside. I rarely go out,  other than to church. But this Sunday morning, when I went outside to check the temperature, it was so bitterly cold, I felt numb and clumsy.   I thought I'd better stay near the hearth at home.

There are many in our area who still venture out.  They dress warmly and are used to this kind of weather. There are also tourists who delight in visiting for the skiing season.  But for me, perhaps since I am from Massachusetts, I find it difficult to function in this biting cold.  So I stay inside.

I used to think the bitter, winter - winds off the ocean of Massachusetts, of my childhood, were unbearable.  I remember them especially starting in November.  They were brutal.  But they did not last. Not all days were windy or dreadfully freezing.  When comparing those ocean winds with a common winter day in Vermont, I would say they are equal.  But Winter in Vermont lasts far longer! My endurance tends to waver.  I stay home a great deal.

Sometimes I like to think of this season as a storm, when we hide under a covering and patiently wait out the trouble.  I keep indoors, while the frozen season slowly passes along.  I bide my time.

I often think of the Pioneers and how they weathered many storms in winter.  Perhaps they read by the fire, did their mending, baked and cooked, and did projects which cannot be done during the busy summer months.  It must have been very quiet in those homes, which did not have radio, television, or computers.  When it was impossible to venture out, they had church time at home with their own family as the congregation.   I am sure they were always surprised and welcoming when a sudden guest appeared to visit them. 

I am grateful to have company on a regular basis. My grown children are not deterred by the cold season.  They go out, work, do errands, and visit me as normal.  I also love to see my grandchildren coming inside with their snowsuits, mittens, hats, and warm coats. They are rosy - cheeked and smiling!

Just a little while ago, I went out on the back grounds of our Estate to just walk.  I know fresh air, even cold air, is essential to good health.  I saw the beauty of sunlight as it touched the snowy ground.  The clear blue sky and the pretty trees are lovely in winter.  The walk was pleasant, even if it was only 7 degrees.  I soon was back inside and grateful for a cozy house, a warm fire, and the luxury of hot chocolate.

I rarely spend any money in winter.  The heating bills consume all we have.  This is a blessing because it makes me careful. It takes away a consumer mind-set.  I have to make-do, make-it-last, and do-without. This is a good discipline in frugality.

I will spend much of these winter hours waiting out the cold as I read piles of good books, do my housekeeping, and take care of my family.

The truth is, I love this time of year.  It is a quiet respite from the seasons.  It is a time to stop and rest and just enjoy being home. It is a good time to focus on prayer and to be grateful to the Lord for all things.


Blessings
Mrs. White

From the Archives -

I Want to Be - The Mother Who Isn't Busy.

What Many of Us Crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.

What Would Happen? - If I Visit You At the Dinner Hour.

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Read Mrs. White's book on Saving Money and Inspiring Charity -Economy for the Christian Home.  Paperback, 110 pages.