Winter Blues

I'm not normally someone who gets the winter blues: in fact, I really enjoy the crisp air and the snow.  This year, however, the days seem exceptionally grey with a decided lack of precipitation.  I was surprised to discover not long ago that Columbus is one of the cloudier cities in the U.S., and I'm starting to wonder if the knowledge has effected my outlook.

Being a gal who takes pleasure in a good puddle splash (and an artsy dose of melancholy), I've always liked the rain.  I revel in the feel of the tiny drops against my face and the sound of it dashing through the trees on its way to earth.  I like how the creek outside our apartment rushes faster and fuller during a storm.  I feel the same about snow: watching the little flakes flurry softly brings me a sense of calm.  Recently I've taken notice that the ever-present clouds don't have the same effect without its companion deluge.  They tend to make me feel too somber, and my wanderlust has moved from winter wonderlands to sunnier plains.  I must say, the mood is rather unpleasant!  

Do you ever get the winter blues?  Any good cures out there that work for you?  I'd love to hear.

(1. Favim  2. MyRentalPad  3. People's Postcode Lottery)

Grieving

Yesterday in the large-windowed break room at work, I noticed a fallen bird out on the ledge.  The lovely little thing had a wreath of dead pine needles surrounding it supplied from a nearby row of trees.  At first I wondered if it had happened by accident, but I think that was only because I was so surprised by the sight.  I had never encountered a bird memorial before, but I now believe that's exactly what it was.  

I started looking into birds and grieving, and have found that it's a very common thing not just for birds, but all across the animal kingdom.  I came across some very touching stories about birds and their loved ones.  Many are variations about a bird not leaving a mate's side after their death.  Others tell about bird funerals, like this story found in Britain's Daily Mail online.  

It's always sad to see an animal like that, but how wonderful to know the feathered dear was loved.