There is a privacy about winter which no other season gives you … Only in winter…can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.
Isn't this the truth. During summer I sometime fantasize about a long cold winter day and not because of the heat or cold but because of the time once can have with oneself.
Such a true sentiment! My neighbors and I often joke about going into hibernation during the winter. We rarely see each other, only waving from our car windows if we happen to see each other as we hurry to and from our homes in the frigid cold. As you know, I love to spend my afternoon or evening on the front porch with my hubby and a cocktail, during the warmer months of the year. It's so much easier to keep in touch with our neighbors as they walk past with their dogs or grandchildren. But I do enjoy the quiet stretches, alone in the house with my husband and Annie-Dog.
Now I have to find out who Ruth Stout is! That's the way I always feel about winter, but I think I'd love it even more without the annual job of working on taxes for our family corp. I adore paper--in books, that is. Handling stacks of paper for taxes, not so much. Maybe I should have listened years ago when everyone tried to get me to switch to Quick Books or whatever it's called. My goal is to have it finished by the end of this month and then have some winter left to curl up in a chair and read!
Oh, she was great! I searched out a site that will tell you a lot about her. http://homestead.org/BarbaraBambergerScott/RuthStout/RuthStout%20-TheNo-DigDuchess.htm Here are her books: http://www.amazon.com/Ruth-Stout/e/B001IYXF18/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1 Have you heard of Turbo Tax? That's what Tom uses.
boy those links look a mess. But you can still copy and paste and they will work. I wonder if there is a way to highlight links in comments, as in postings, so you could just click.
I am always struggling to love winter more. I can find moments of appreciation... but they are betwixt and between some internal grumbling. This quote gives me something to appreciate about winter, because I do love some alone time... and time just spent with family, too. Thank you for posting this, Nan.
Great quote, Nan! I hunker down more in winter, for sure, and I love mid-afternoon, a book or magazine in hand, alone with myself. Ruth Stout is certainly interesting (just spent sometime at the links you included above). Her name has come up recently in some garden club talks.
Gosh that quote takes me back many years Nan... I remember my Mother hearing of Ruth Stout's No dig book and going to some trouble to buy a copy in the UK... we ended up with one each. A lovely lady and a great quote Thank you! Sitting by our stove this evening we appreciate the header too :o)
She did try it out Nan..I think just for a few seasons as living in town at the time sourcing hay etc was less practical ...at least I think that was it :o)
The header is great (and brings back memories -- we used to burn wood (in the home in Oregon where we lived in our 'former life). We cut our own too. Not much snow there, but how we appreciated the warmth and coziness of being by the stove on cold, damp gray and rainy days.
Our daughter says she needs her annual 'hibernation time' and thus welcomes winter. Me not so much.
We were just talking to someone about wood out west - that it is mostly softwood that is burned, whereas here we burn hardwood. It is such a cozy warmth. Nothing like it.
It's not snowy here in northern Florida but it does get very cold. We have had to cover the plants for several nights now to protect from the freezing temperatures. But those cold nights we sit in the den, quietly listening to music and enjoying each other's company. Winter months brings us all into one room.
I'll answer your comments as soon as I possibly can. Please do come back if you've asked a question. Also, you may comment on any post, no matter how old, and I will see it.
Isn't this the truth. During summer I sometime fantasize about a long cold winter day and not because of the heat or cold but because of the time once can have with oneself.
ReplyDeleteYes!!!
DeleteSo true! And what a wonderful header! I love it.
ReplyDeleteMary
Oh, thank you!
DeleteI LOVE your Winter print! Is it by Mary Azarian?
ReplyDeleteSue Sirgany
Yes!! Well spotted!
DeleteSuch a true sentiment! My neighbors and I often joke about going into hibernation during the winter. We rarely see each other, only waving from our car windows if we happen to see each other as we hurry to and from our homes in the frigid cold. As you know, I love to spend my afternoon or evening on the front porch with my hubby and a cocktail, during the warmer months of the year. It's so much easier to keep in touch with our neighbors as they walk past with their dogs or grandchildren. But I do enjoy the quiet stretches, alone in the house with my husband and Annie-Dog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this lovely quote, Nan.
It feels like following the natural rhythms of the year to 'hibernate' for a time, doesn't it?
DeleteNow I have to find out who Ruth Stout is! That's the way I always feel about winter, but I think I'd love it even more without the annual job of working on taxes for our family corp. I adore paper--in books, that is. Handling stacks of paper for taxes, not so much. Maybe I should have listened years ago when everyone tried to get me to switch to Quick Books or whatever it's called. My goal is to have it finished by the end of this month and then have some winter left to curl up in a chair and read!
ReplyDeleteOh, she was great! I searched out a site that will tell you a lot about her. http://homestead.org/BarbaraBambergerScott/RuthStout/RuthStout%20-TheNo-DigDuchess.htm
DeleteHere are her books: http://www.amazon.com/Ruth-Stout/e/B001IYXF18/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1
Have you heard of Turbo Tax? That's what Tom uses.
boy those links look a mess. But you can still copy and paste and they will work. I wonder if there is a way to highlight links in comments, as in postings, so you could just click.
DeleteThere is a way, but it takes some practice. I'll email you the directions. :)
DeleteYes I think winter is a good time for those of us who like our own company and the chance to read a good book.
ReplyDelete'like our own company' -so true. I remember a girl in my dorm about whom people said she was never happy alone, and I couldn't understand it.
DeleteI am always struggling to love winter more. I can find moments of appreciation... but they are betwixt and between some internal grumbling. This quote gives me something to appreciate about winter, because I do love some alone time... and time just spent with family, too. Thank you for posting this, Nan.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of people have trouble with winter, but it is my favorite season - as long as my kids don't have to drive in bad weather!
DeleteGreat quote, Nan! I hunker down more in winter, for sure, and I love mid-afternoon, a book or magazine in hand, alone with myself.
ReplyDeleteRuth Stout is certainly interesting (just spent sometime at the links you included above). Her name has come up recently in some garden club talks.
I'd love to hear about what has been said about RS if you have a minute to email me.
DeleteGosh that quote takes me back many years Nan... I remember my Mother hearing of Ruth Stout's No dig book and going to some trouble to buy a copy in the UK... we ended up with one each. A lovely lady and a great quote Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSitting by our stove this evening we appreciate the header too
:o)
I wonder if your mother made a garden based on her ideas?
DeleteShe did try it out Nan..I think just for a few seasons as living in town at the time sourcing hay etc was less practical ...at least I think that was it :o)
DeleteA post about root cellaring, for you Nan: http://quietcountryhouse.blogspot.com/2016/02/root-cellar-for-nan.html
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know, and I do appreciate it!
DeleteThe header is great (and brings back memories -- we used to burn wood (in the home in Oregon where we lived in our 'former life). We cut our own too. Not much snow there, but how we appreciated the warmth and coziness of being by the stove on cold, damp gray and rainy days.
ReplyDeleteOur daughter says she needs her annual 'hibernation time' and thus welcomes winter. Me not so much.
We were just talking to someone about wood out west - that it is mostly softwood that is burned, whereas here we burn hardwood. It is such a cozy warmth. Nothing like it.
DeleteIt's not snowy here in northern Florida but it does get very cold. We have had to cover the plants for several nights now to protect from the freezing temperatures.
ReplyDeleteBut those cold nights we sit in the den, quietly listening to music and enjoying each other's company. Winter months brings us all into one room.
That sounds just perfect!
DeleteGreat quote!! I do enjoy the still and quiet, the good reasons to be in and not feel guilty about it! The days are getting longer already though!
ReplyDeleteThey really are. A wonderful thing the way the year goes along. Every day so different.
Delete