Winter

It still says Autumn on the calendar but the icy chill outside my window says . . .

Winter

To shiver, frozen, amid icy snow

In the bitter blast of a horrible wind;

To run constantly stamping one's feet;

And to feel one's teeth chatter on account of the excessive cold;

To spend restful, happy days at the fireside

While the rain outside drenches a good one hundred

To walk on the ice,

And with slow steps to move about cautiously 

For fear of falling;

To go fast, to slip and fall down;

To go on the ice again and run fast

Until the ice cracks and opens up;

To hear coming out of the iron gates

Sirocco, Boreas and all the winds at war:

That's winter! But of a kind to gladden one's heart.

~Antonio Vivaldi

via Winter by Adam Gopnik, pg 6

Also, a video. Curl up under a blanket and brew something hot for sipping.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgs_zB6Et2Q&feature=youtube_gdata_player