Winter in any part of the northern states has its ups and downs. While frigid winds, snow, and ice prevail, Mother Nature grants us an occasional ‘mild’ day or two. But whatever she throws at us, there is no arguing that she is stingy with the sunshine.

In the dead of January and February when the gloomy gray and white seems endless, it feels as though we will never see the sun again. The early dark nights, while fun for an occasional movie or board game, begins to wear thin. The dreaded winter blues creep in and we’re left longing for those late evening sunsets complete with crickets and fireflies.

As I sit here watching the plow outside my window repeatedly passing back and forth, pushing away the night’s snow and ice, I know that I’m not the only one wishing for warmer weather. My pugs hate the winter. I’m surprised they even bother to go to the door knowing what awaits them. I dread when they do, because I am fully aware of what awaits me. Bundling up so I can stand outside, freezing, begging them to them to do what they need to do. And quick!

I know this makes me sound like a winter humbug. I don’t mean to, really. In fact, on the positive side I have found something enjoyable about winter…counting down the days until it’s over!

Only 33 days until Spring, green grass, and happy pugs!

Until then, I’ll just enjoy my coffee while I watch winter go by outside the window.