Ever since I was young, I’ve loved November. Though I also love October, and September, and all the -bers, really.
The clue’s in the name. Ber. Brr. Cold.
I am a child of wind and snow. I always attribute that to my birth in Seattle, but it goes farther than that. Like my pale skin is a throwback to some icy past. Like ice and driving rain and wind are in my veins.
Maybe in a past life I was a peasant in the Siberian wilderness. An Eskimo. A snow otter. Whatever the truth of the matter, I am always more comfortable in cold weather.
When the wind begins to brisk, my whole being perks up. It’s like something inside awakens, and sniffs the air, and my mind and soul seem taller. There’s a spring in my step and a renewal of hope in the world when the cold begins.
Crunching leaves. Dark branches of bare trees. Grey, cloudy days. Wind whistling through windows. Fireplaces. Blankets. Frosted eyelashes. Boots covered in snow. Breath visible. Hands shaking.
These are a few of my favorite things.
When I was seventeen, I went on a mission trip to Russia in January, when it was cold enough to freeze the inside of bare nostrils. I loved it, and soon enough acclimatized to the temperatures.
When I was in Korea and the snow came, before the cars threw it into sludge on the roads, I loved the soft sound of walking to school through snow, carefully, delicately, while the world slept and dreamed.
We talk of eternal summers, and I get it – the freedom and laughter and joy summer evokes. But in me there is an eternal winter – peaceful quiet bliss, clean, pure as the driven snow, and waiting…
I once had a dream to chase winter, as some people chase summer, all over the globe and across hemispheres, to be in snow year round. Perhaps someday I will. Perhaps my dream of herding reindeer in Finland will pan out.
Until then, I satisfy myself with hoodie dresses and opening the windows of my Texas home to let in all the cold I can.
November is the grey month.
A.M. EDMONSON 
As a fellow child of cold weather (born, though not raised, in North Idaho), I just want to let you know that I relate. I actually become lazy in the summers and energized in the brisk, frisky winters. I spent years in California wondering how people could handle the summers, and people there were baffled that I seemed underdressed, without a jacket, in 40F degree temperatures. Returning to Idaho after 60+ years was, in more ways than one, a coming home. Thank you for this —
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I’m glad to find a fellow cold weather lover! Let’s celebrate November as the beginning of our season.
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Sounds like a plan. Or even, in a way, the beginning of a new year. Halloween is akin to New Year’s Eve in that sense; and All Saint’s Day to New Year’s Day.
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Yes! Nothing makes me happier than cold, crisp days. I live for Autumn and Winter… Luckily I live in the UK so don’t have to deal with too much warm weather.
Enjoy the coming months of frost-filled walks and warm fires- I know I will 🙂
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Yes! I’ve always wanted to move to the UK just for the weather! And the abundance of fireplaces. Texas doesn’t have too many since we don’t really need them… -_-
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A snow otter… is that where Ottermei comes from?
Ever since I ended up back in Texas, I have made any destination I vacation at to be relatively snowy. And when funds do not allow me to travel far, then as a Dallasite, I go see the ICE exhibit at the Gaylord Texan. I highly recommend it if you have not been. I think 9F will be a cool enough temperature to remind you of the cold winters.
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Ah, the story behind my internet name…that’s a short and odd story for another time. Also, you guys are killing me with your comment names!
I haven’t ever been to the ICE exhibit! I’ll have to go for sure. That sounds spectacular!
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Snow otter, definitely. 😉
Actually, I am the opposite. I love being warm because cold is – well, unpleasant. Although, I have enjoyed winters, and there’s something really awesome about all that fall and winter food, the oven always on, and a good crackling wood fire. Snow covers everything. Yeah, I do love it. But I’m also horribly practical, and warmer weather is more economical (you see how lame I am?) on so many levels.
One day though, I hope to live somewhere I can enjoy four seasons again.
Lovely post!
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I can understand that. It’s purely preference, like morning people and night people, tea people and coffee people. I just lament living in a summer state when I love winter. ^^
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This comment reminds me of this comic:
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Love it!
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