Winter in the northern climes, where I now am, demands one’s attention. Temperatures can be frigid, even gelid; if one is inclined toward optimism, at least fresh. Outdoor activities usually require a reasonably vigorous energy output just to keep up body heat. Walking about can be treacherous; light snow cover over ice almost begs for a twisted knee or sprained ankle. When the wind comes up out of the north it can take one’s breath away. I could go on and on, but the fact is I love winter: the beauty of the high visual contrasts in the landscapes, the deep shadows and black woods on dominating white snow and the clean, pure cold that eradicates the rotting vegetation along with those inhospitable microbes the summer and fall have produced.

Anyway, I was thinking about the analogic connections often made between seasonal progression and animal life cycle: Spring is often associated with youthful exuberance (not to mention fecundity); Summer is thought of as a time of maturation and maximal productivity- a fully realized adulthood; Fall is often seen as a time of rest and reflection, of old age and remembrance of what has been. What, then, does that make winter? I would rule against death because I don’t believe one can be aware of being dead. Maybe dormancy is a bit like the concept of purgatory; not viable as far as I can see.

So, I guess that leaves winter as the after-life. I know hell-fires are a common conception of what one might encounter in the least favorable after-life scenario, but certain medieval thinkers indicated a belief that ice and cold will be a part of one’s final sufferings. So, if winter is Hell and winter is where I eventually end up in perpetuity, I’m thinking it may not be such a bad thing.

I was thinking the other day how emotions sometimes creep up on a person, how they seem to come out of nowhere. Suddenly one finds herself overwhelmingly attracted to someone for no apparent good reason; logic doesn’t seem to play a part in what might be called, I suppose, love at first sight, but may be better described as ‘animal attraction’.

If the object of one’s desire shows any sort of mutual interest things can get pretty complicated.  When one finds herself deeply in love it often comes as a revelation; one moment content living the single life and suddenly emotionally connected to another.  Such a situation can considerably upset one’s well-established independent life-style; tensions will invariably emerge and a re-evaluation of the situation will more than likely be necessary.

At this point a not insignificant dilemma has developed; one must weigh the idea of returning to the peacefulness of single existence against the occasional elation and/or camaraderie of the relationship.  The realization that both parties must assume a stance of ‘give and take’ if the union is to be successfully sustained will bring to light the personal differences the individuals bring to the table.

And, those differences can be significant.