They say a dark winter is coming, and we should prepare for the worst! These words echo all over mainstream media and out of politician’s mouths. If you live in a climate that receives the gift of winter, you probably aren’t keen on it coming early. There are so many fears and changes we all are trying to prepare for. Way too many. We already had our first major snow, but none after that. They say it’s going to be a cold and harsh winter, in addition to a “dark winter”. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard that, and the first time I heard it, it threw me off. I thought it was very negative and unnecessary to say. Folks get depressed as winter hits as it is, Why do they keep repeating this??? Oh, I know why, more conditioning for the mind, on a negative tip.

On one of my days off, I woke up and I didn’t want to get out of bed. The air felt chiller than usual. I had some errands to run, and usually I like to get my day started early, but I just couldn’t budge. I was warm under the covers, and, I didn’t want to get up from under the warm covers. I was very reluctant to go outside, even though I really wanted to get some fresh air. I caught up on my sleep and allowed myself to sleep in past noon. I felt guilty, because I like to make the most in the day, no matter the weather. This winter, I feel as though I don’t want to deal with it, I intend on avoiding it at all costs. The shutdown and “dark winter” mantra, ain’t making it any better. Everytime I hit the road and walk past a newly closed business, with boarded up graffiti cover, I feel a hit of the winter blues. I had to stop and take this photo, although my fingers were cold. This place is changing slowly yet drastically, day to day. It feels like a lucid dream.

I will not allow the media to influence my mood, or alter my state of mind, regardless of how much they say life supposedly “sucks”. I count my blessings times ten, and I will not have a dark winter, no matter what they say.

Take Care, Stay safe, and Stay tuned.

Love and Respect,

~Dawn Lovely