Sooooo, it’s November. And that means (1) October, my favorite month, is over, (2) Halloween, my favorite holiday (aside from my birthday) is over, and (3) those of us who live in very silly places such as Louisville, Kentucky, have, through some clumsy arrangement, probably owing to an ill-natured fairy, been subjected to the sadness of Daylight Savings Time, which means now it gets dark at, like, 6pm, and will be dark by about 4:30 by Winter Solstice. BUT! I refuse to submit to being miserable just because it’s going to be dark and cold and rainy and…well…miserable for the next 4-5 months.

So here is my list of things I love about winter, in case I forget the bright side of the dark season:

1. Appreciating the fact that you have heat, light, and hot food to get you through the winter. It’s nice not to freeze your ass off with nothing but candlelight to read by!
2. No chiggers, no ticks, no mosquitoes, and barely any spiders. In my line of work, this is especially joyous.
3. I don’t have to worry about heat exhaustion in the field. Again, as an archaeology tech, this is a big bonus.
4. Hot chocolate, hot cider, hot chai, hot tea, hot APPLE JACK (heat apple cider, add desired amount of whiskey). AND SEASONAL DARK BEERS ON TAP…someone pass me a bourbon barrel stout, please? Or an Old Rasputin?
5. All the excuse I need to hunker down and read/write/build up my guitar chops/draw. Why do you think Russian literature and folk art are so amazing?
   
   Hand-carved bone picture frame, hand-carved wooden toy set, hand-carved wooden sculpture, hand-painted bracelet, all in the Russian State Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia.
6. I can take my chinchilla out to the park in her runabout ball, and she won’t overheat while she’s playing!
7. Snuggling, space heaters, blankets, wool socks, sweaters, and the opportunity to wear an array of jackets. Plus, nobody gives a damn if your layers match or look good on you by February.
8. Christmas cookies, pot roasts, and other comfort foods.
9. Christmas (or whatever winter holiday you & your family and friends celebrate) and New Year’s and camaraderie.
10. Striking winter landscapes, especially with snow on them.
    
11. Looking forward to spring again and planning your next garden.
12. Watching the light come back after the solstice.
13. Learning to appreciate sticky-hot weather you know is gonna come in the summer.