Winter

One of four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. Beginning on the winter solstice and ending on the spring equinox. The season with the shortest days and lowest temperatures. Depending on the place and culture, winter can be defined as snow and ice in the higher altitudes or as in the Southern Hemisphere with precipitation as rain, drizzle, fog, freezing rain, hail, sleet. Winter may also consist of both a dry or a wet season . A winter storm may be a blizzard, thunderstorm, tornado, or tropical cyclone. Symbolic of many things, winter suggests death ;the absence of hope; darkness - when in the context of art, books, or movies. To name a few"The Four Seasons" by Vivaldi; "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis; Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" Robert Frost. There are many personifications; such as, Old Man Winter, Father Winter, Jack Frost.

Animals survive the winter: The Snowshoe Hare changes color; Birds migrate; hibernation is the state of bears, gophers, or bats. Storing food is common for squirrels, skunks, or raccoons and badgers. Fur-coated mammals grow a heavier coat for this season. Plants go dormant.
Many winter activities include: Snowboarding, Skiing, Snowman building, Snowball fighting, or sledding. Other activities are focused on ice: Ice skating, Ice fishing, Ice Hockey, Curling.
Moods of people change during the winter. In the northern hemisphere, a gloominess is known as "winter blues", "February blahs", "Holiday depression", or doldrums. Symptoms include sleeping more, tiredness, physical aches. Decreased exposure to light becomes known as an environmental influence.
Countries define winter in a different light with different languages. Greek mythology describes how Hades kidnapped Persephone to be his wife. He tricked her into eating food of the dead . Zeus ordered Hades to return her to Demeter, the goddess of the earth and her mother. Zeus decreed Persephone would spend six months with Demeter and six months with Hades. During the time when her daughter is with Hades, Demeter becomes depressed and causes winter. States also define different weather types and food variances. Consider the California Winter Fancy Food Show with 100,000 varieties including Mendocino Crab and various wines.
On a more personal level, winter to me is hot chocolate, warm clothes and fuzzy slippers to snuggle into against a bright fireplace. Enter Christmas as a holiday to celebrate winter. The Christmas Tree to symbolize the celebration with bright colorful lights in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. A feast of ham and turkey. A human hibernation away from the snowy , icy roads or fog laden skies ; traffic delays or airport delays.

Learn more about this author, Betty Matlock.
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