Winter

I know some people love winter.

But it's hard for me to see the approach of winter as anything but a gradual series of losses. Losing the ability to go outside barefoot, then losing the ability to go outside without putting on long sleeves, or then a jacket, or eventually losing the ability to go outdoors at all without gearing up for survival. Closing off of patios and sunrooms, emptying of pools, putting outdoor furniture into storage. The world is smaller in winter. Even the days are smaller.

Against all those losses are a few gains, I have to admit. Hot fires, warm drinks, hearty stews. They mostly boil down to the comfort of coming inside from it, mostly.

Yeah, you people who love winter are just nuts.