We are experiencing deep winter here in New Hampshire. Last year snow was often a no show, but there is more than enough now (with more on the way). Peter has had a banner year skiing, and I’ve been out on snowshoes a few times.
Packed snow is difficult for Buddy, with his bad hips. It’s too bad, because he loves it so, but limps terribly after a prolonged frolic in the white stuff. And I hate to go out without him, as he stares mournfully out the window at me. So, Buddy and I have been getting back into the habit of walking; with the plowed street being our only accessible venue.
It is easy to skip exercising when the temperature dips (try a walk when it is zero degrees outside) or the wind is blowing, but I feel like it is imperative that I keep moving. Really. Not only is it good for my lungs (and my legs and my butt, etc…), there is mounting evidence it is good for the brain as well.
Unfortunately, the roads in these parts are all heavily sanded and salted, which means that every time a vehicle passes, all that stuff becomes temporarily airborne. Dust is not my friend (I’m quite allergic to dust mites as well), and I cover my nose and hold my breath for as long as I can until it settles. Fortunately, ours is not a heavily traveled byway.
Winter sports are in full swing here. All the wee huts in the photos are bob houses. The frozen surface of Lake Winnipesaukee is dotted with them, and the annual ice fishing derby is on Sunday. The pond hockey championship was last weekend, and the world championship sled dog derby is going on now.
And when we aren’t gamboling in the snow, we are contending with it. Ice dams and frost heaves are new additions to my vocabulary. Last week the UPS truck got stuck at the bottom of our driveway. Our first winter, I didn’t have a vehicle equipped with four wheel drive, so we tied a long rope to a tree and after parking my car at the top of the driveway, I would essentially rappel down.
There are moments when I long for the warmth and relative ease of summer, but I’ve also grown accustomed to the deep freeze. Makes you tough, according to the locals.
life and breath: outliving lung cancer 
Oh Linnea!
We’ve had more snow this winter than I can ever remember. We just get the snow though with none of the fun stuff that you have there…unless you can call shoveling fun. I guess it’s good exercise!
Personally, I am impatiently waiting for the day I can complain about how hot it is!
Blessings of Spring!
Tracy
Hey you! Hadn’t heard your voice in a while and I missed it. Shoveling is not my favorite activity either, and I really don’t partake in most of the ‘local customs’ I described; I simply find them fascinating. Never lived anywhere quite like this before.
Spring is good. Can’t think of a better way to follow winter. Love, Linnea
Hi Linnea – finally I do post a comment. Guillermo and I watched the Dr. Oz show. They did a good job with such a short time but would have been better if the segment was longer. I too walk Honey every day. This has been a very cold winter. A couple of days she went and hid rather than jumping around when the leash came out. We’ve had a bit of a mild spell for a couple of days. On our walk today I did see a hint of yellow in the willow trees. I am going to believe that this means spring is on the way. Take care.
Beryl
Beryl! So good to hear your voice. I’m very glad the Dr. Oz show aired, but yes, had they asked for my advice, I might have tweeked a few things. That is funny about Honey. Obviously she is a more sensitive soul than Buddy, who is a fool for the out of doors no matter the weather. No hint of spring here yet, although it rose above freezing yesterday and I went to sleep lulled by the sounds of both the wind and melting icicles.
Take good care as well and say hello to my buddy: I am pleased and honored to have you comment.
Love, Linnea
How cosy little houses! Our fishermen are just sitting by an ice hole without any shelter. Today it is too cold here for dogs and people to go out for a walk, but there is a promise of spring in the bright sunshine. Let’s enjoy the real winter!
Paula
Paula, they are funny things, aren’t they? Some of the fisherman sleep and cook out on the ice (lots of drinking as well). It is like a little temporary community. Grown men and their playhouses!
With winter there are two choices–enjoy it or hate it. Most of the time, I enjoy it. Especially knowing that spring is never that far behind.
Love, Linnea
A vase of cherry branches on the dining table trying so hard to force their sweet little pink blossoms. Spring? Perhaps.
A cat full of mischief, busting boxes, rustling brown bags, lying in wait for random feet to pass by. Spring? None too soon!
Stephanie. I was beginning to hear your silence. Now, an almost haiku. All of our buds are still tucked tightly in for winter. I hope treatment is treating you well (correct grammatically perhaps, but hardly true, so we will add a modifier; fairly well).
Linnea