Melinda Morley

Greetings to all my readers, (At current count, I think there are two.)

Now that we are a full two days into February, January is officially over. (Thank goodness we survived!) If you are like me and so many others that I know (mostly family, to be truthful), winter blues are a real problem.

But now that I have successfully made it through January, I would like to share my sage wisdom with you. Apply it at will for the month of February.

How to Survive the Winter Blues:

1. Don’t take down the Christmas decorations. Since Christmas is such a busy and (hopefully) happy time (If it’s not a happy time for you, I can’t help you. You probably should see a professional.), I left my decorations up. For the month of January, anyway. I think I will leave them up through February next year because IT WORKED! The brain is a strange thing. (Perhaps just my brain.) I highly recommend leaving your decorations up through March if necessary. Spread out the Holiday cheer! (Warning: Possible side effects may include weird looks from your neighbors and possible fire hazards from live trees. You may need to dispose of the tree sooner. ) PS -If you’ve already put your decorations away, feel free to get them out again. It’s sure to enhance eliminate those blues.

2. Take a College Algebra Class: Don’t roll your eyes at me! This is another tried and true method. If you take College Algebra during January and February, everything else in life seems pretty great. Plus, it is so time and brain consuming you won’t be able to even entertain thoughts of blueness. (Warning: Possible side effects include headache, nausea with or without vomiting  and nightmares about polynomial factoring.)

3. Embroidery: I haven’t tried this one yet. But I ordered a pattern off the internet and I know that it will help me blissfully wither wittle away the month of February. I have bought Christmas Redwork. (Can you see a pattern here?) My work will be done entirely in RED. It’s a color that makes me happy and, also, if  I prick myself, it’s not as noticeable. (Warning: This solution is highly addictive. The author of this website is not responsible for whatever happens to you, if you decide to take up embroidery.)

4. Vacation to a Place Colder and Snowier than where you live: You were probably thinking I was going to say visit a warm tropical beach with mango juice. But it is true (I am speaking from experience here.) that if you go someplace colder and snowier than where you currently reside, then during the next month or so you can say: “At least it’s not at cold as ____” or “At least we don’t have as much snow as ____”. And guess what? It works. These are the very words that my husband and I have been exchanging and I for one feel much better. (Warning: Possible side effects include the danger of getting stranded in a drift in the mountains somewhere and possible frostbite. Use with caution and snow tires.” (Doesn’t not apply to residents in Iceland. Your pretty much there. -Good luck (sigh).)

Now this list may seem short. But at least it is original. If I have any more wisdom to share, I will quickly post it here.

Merry Christmas to all!!!