A friday 5

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Singing Owl writes:

Here in snow country we are settled in to what is a very long stretch of potentially boring days. The holidays are over. It is a very long time till we will get outside on a regular basis. The snow that seemed so beautiful at first is now dirty and the snow banks are piling up. Our vehicles are all the same shade of brownish grey, but if we go to the car wash our doors will freeze shut. People get grumpy. Of course, not everyone lives in a cold climate, but even in warmer places the days till springtime can get long. Help! Please give us five suggestions for combating cabin fever and staying cheerful in our monochromatic world?

1. Dress in bright colors - I favor turquoise, pink, red - all these with black, ivory and white.
2. Love up your pet. Ours is a cat - he's in winter mode and will occupy any available lap. We accelerate cabin fever by giving him catnip toys. You dog lovers will have similar activities.
3. Read books about warm places. You know some - beach books, summer romances, books about India, Alexander McCall Smith's #1 Ladies Detective Agency books set in Botswana - where it is never winter. (If you haven't read these - start at the beginning - they are exquisite and delightful. I love Lisette Lecat's audible book versions.
4. Try new foods. This is the winter for learning how to make the perfect risotto.
5. Stay in touch. I just discovered facebook - it's fun, free and a great time waster!
6. Bonus: start a new bible study - I was pleased that folks said January was a good time to begin something new - it fit their resolutions.

The best answer is one not everyone can do. For the first time in my life - a winter vacation (not a mission trip and not just a conference) to a warm place.

Take off to Florida is only 60 hours away!
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