the Winter Lull
time to tune into the return of the light
Yesterday evening, Gwen and I had to make a stop for a confused looking opossum who was wander/scampering in the road - probably woken up by the warmer weather. When we got home, the driveway bunny was also out and about. Watch out for groggy critters on the roads this weekend! They should be back to sleep when it cools down again next week.
Loyal readers know that I use a seven season’s calendar intuitively derived from efforts to maintain connection with nature while living my human city life. I realized recently that my seven seasons correspond somewhat with an ecological six season calendar (see previous post or below), but I have this extra season: the Winter Lull!
I explain this by reasoning that the Winter Lull is unique to humans. While the natural world around is hibernating, we are indoors with fires and radiators to keep us warm. After the festive darkest days, these are weeks of pause and rest.
If you have the energy, deep clean the common spaces (living room, family room) before you settle in, then chill. This is the perfect time to do uniquely human things: dream and make art!
Craft and artisinal endeavors are the priority this season: sew, whittle, sand, create, and repair with your housemates. If you, like me, have multiple unfinished projects, push to finish one! While you’ve got your hands busy, you might enjoy this presentation from Brown University scientists talking about how they are working with communities to make their research more authentic and meaningful:
In the Winter Lull, we don’t take on anything too strenuous if we can avoid it. Rest physically, but mentally, (while you’re crafting?) – this is a time to look ahead and think about what is on the agenda for the spring:
With Friends and Family discuss: what civic activities will family do together this spring? Advocacy? Volunteering? Protest?
In your Work and Civic life, ask colleagues and allies what you do well and how you can do better. This one is a hard one, but that’s probably a sign its important. If you have been reading this newsletter regularly, I would love to hear what is working well for you. I have opened comments up for everyone - which issues have stuck with you, and why?
Gardening, Cooking, and the Wild: Don’t cook in the Winter Lull – COAST!! did you freeze anything extra you made in late summer or fall? Now is the time to get into it, or get the easy frozen/prepared foods from the store to help yourself out. My partner is on a fasting kick where she tries not to eat for 14 – 16 hours each day. I like to tune up my diet with more of an ingredients-based approach- currently working toward a vegetarian week with a few days completely vegan. Its definitely time to cut back on the rich (and carbon intensive!) foods. Also, if you are a gardener: Order seeds!
That’s all for this week, just advice for the season. I should be back next week with some heavier stuff, but for now this is B
With you,
Landing the Plane.
P.S. I cannot resist posting this again from last week: The seven human seasons arranged around the six eco seasons. I’m just so into it!!!
