In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. Albert Camu

ANOTHER GREAT “Picture of the Day”

I should go to more Scottish Gatherings!

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.

Hal Borland

WIND CHIME HAND MADE ORIGINAL WITH LEAFS AND GOLD BEADS I… (262229090341)

HONORABLE MENTIONING:

Mount Dora Center for the Arts

http://mountdoracenterforthearts.org/exhibits-2/

5th Street next to Artisans www.artisansonfifth.com

Mt. Dora 32757

Enjoy the unique works of many local artists in a beautiful historic gallery setting.

the Friends

JAMIE INTRODUCES SING ALONG

http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-01-30/outlanders-sam-heughan-introduces-haunting-skye-boat-sing-along-video

the Lovers

O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?

Percy Bysshe Shelley

SEATED DOG 4 1/2″ PORCELAIN JAPAN (262229091992) $4.99

TO CONSIDER FOR A POSSIBLE ADVENTURE

DOWNTOWN PARKERSBURG, VA

BLENNERHASSETT HOTEL (picture below)

http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/blennerhassett.en.html?aid=311088;label=blennerhassett-hi32vrHLYGh1iqiqWNRhQwS60152592723:pl:ta:p1:p2:ac:ap1t1:neg:fi:tiaud-146342137510:kwd-122833316:lp9011747:li:dec:dm;ws=&gclid=CjwKEAiArdG1BRCLvs_q-IObwxMSJACXbLtz0RZN0S1Ptkw2JqK6fjzpkbPphipTHG3BSRGgFU_pihoCnNnw_wcB

This building built by a former mayor in 1889 once housed banks and had facilities that once housed rail workers and traveling salemen…it was closed but renovated with 18 and 19 century antiques and reopened in 1986–in 2005 the hotel completed a complete renovation in 2005.

BLENNERHASETT MUSEUM

2nd & Juliana Streets

North half constructed in 1902 (Star Grocery Co) and the south half was completed in the 1920s. Opened after a total renovation in 1988 as the second largest in West Va. Large array of artifacts from prehistoric Indian artifacts to items owned by the Blennerhasett family. Don’t miss the 12-min video on the history of BLennerhasett Island and the tragic company that gave it its name.

In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.

William Blake

HALLMARK “MUGS” with Kitten and Mouse Both Sides Small “W… (262229098483) $4.99

So here comes the weekend.

Hope you have some fun plans

Let’s see

There’s an art festival in Mt. Dora http://mountdoracenterforthearts.org/arts-festival/

And for the Quilters

February 4-6, 2016
Quilting in Paradise
Port St Lucie Crazy Quilters 9th Biennial Quilt Show
Port St Lucie Civic Center
9221 SE Civic Center Place, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34952
www.pslcrazyquilters.com
www.pslcrazyquilters.blogspot.com
Admission $10

February 5-6, 2016 (9-4)
Busy Bees Quilt Show “Quilts: what is old is new again”
Silver Springs Presbyterian Church
674 Silver Road, Ocala, FL
Ocalawoods@cfl.rr.com

February 6, 2016 (10-3)
Venice Florida Quilters Show “Airing of the Quilts”
Maxine Barritt Park, Beachfront near the Pier
1800 S Harbor Dr, Venice, FL 34285
www.SarasotaModernQuiltGuild.com
Carole Lyles Shaw (410) 913-8539 QuiltShow@vaqg.org
Free admission

and for those who Love Beer

DeLand Craft Beer Festival. Feb. 6, 1 p.m. Downtown DeLand. $35 advance, $40 at the gate (21 or older). Volusia Beer Week event: Festival will include craft, imported, rare and vintage brews by more than 50 vendors. Volusia Beer Week.

New Sam Adams Brews Special Tasting Event. Feb. 6, 4 – 5 p.m. Total Wine & More, 2712 East Colonial Dr., Orlando. $10. Chance to sample three new nitro brews from Sam Adams, as well as the latest entry in Rebel IPA series. Total Wine.

Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.

Paul Theroux

I know those of you out there in colder climes are saying gee winter must be rough there in 50 degree Florida…but trust me I grew up in Michigan and spent some time in the West Virginia hills as well.

There are things going on despite it being winter

Bronner’s Hot Shot Archery Contest – Frankenmuth

Date(s): 02/05/16

From:Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland

Phone: (989) 652-9931

Type: Cultural & Heritage

Local media celebrities will be aiming at $1,014 for their favorite charity on February 5th at Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland. The contest will be at 10:30 am at south checkout. Seven media celebrities are competing in the archery…

Even common Florida themes seem popular:

Craft Beverage Expo – Traverse City

Date(s): 02/05/16

From: Wuerfel Park – Traverse City Beach Bums

Phone: (231) 943-0100

Type: Cultural & Heritage

Craft Beverages from the likes of Short’s Brewing, St. Ambrose Cellars, Black Star Farm, Bonobo Winery and others will be sampled at Wuerfel Park in Chum’s Village. Tickets are limited to the first 75 adults 21 and over,

and something you don’t see very often in Florida

12th Annual Magical Ice Fest – Saint Joseph

Date(s): 02/05/16 – 02/07/16

From: St. Joseph Today

Phone: (269) 985-1111

Type: Cultural & Heritage, Fairs & Festivals

Join us in downtown St. Joseph February 5-7 for our 12th Annual Ice Carving Festival!We’ve got frosty fun planned all weekend long, book your stay today www.stjoetoday.com/hotels. ALL WEEKEND Certified

While I relish our warm months, winter forms our character and brings out our best.

Tom Allen

And I’m sure there’s bunches going over where you are. But how are you getting along in the cold this year?

But did you know what use to be called the Winter Blues, Cabin Fever etc, has it’s own name (of course it does)now: seasonal affective disorder (SAD) an it’s thought to effect 14 million (of all ages and both sexes) In the UK and Europe alone? Heavens with that many participants its not surprising that it has it’s own association as well: Seasonal Affective Disorder Association (SADA),

Key symptoms:

depression
sleep problems
lethargy
overeating
irritability
feeling down and unsociable http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/pages/dealing-with-winter-blues-sad.aspx

Hey that’s me year round—I have SAD rather than am…..

I love cheeseburgers and chocolate – milk, not dark, and hot chocolate with marshmallows in the winter!

Nina Dobrev

So what to do?

Talk therapy help—talk away the blues

Stick to a schedule

Be around her people

Exercise

Do thing you enjoy

Kept it Cozy (don’t dwell on how much you hate winter or the weather–think positive)

http://www.today.com/health/beat-winter-blues-talking-6-science-backed-tips-stay-happy-t54521

other treatment that might help:

Start your day with a lamp

Wake yourself up by sitting in front of a light box for about 30 minutes. Look for one that delivers 10,000 lux of white illumination

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/wellness/advice/a23927/beat-bad-winter-mood/

Studies show that certain antidepressant drugs can be effective in many cases of SAD. The antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating SAD and for preventing winter depression. Doctors sometimes prescribe other antidepressants as well.

https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/jan2013/feature1

The combination of olive oil, garlic and lemon juice lifts the spirits in winter.

Yotam Ottolenghi

and finally

Eating is important:

Lean protein (Salmon is particularly good as is chicken)

Bananas

Berries (Blue, Raspberries and strawberries)

Green leafy veggie

Oat meal

lentils

black eyed peas

Eye yolks

and Dark chocolate

will all help provide support for the body in winter.

Supplements

Vitamin B 12

Vitamin D (which is provided by sun light)

And remember to limit your sugar intake.

http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/10-food-tips-help-ease-winter-blues#12

In winter, I plot and plan. In spring, I move.

Henry Rollins

and try to have some fun with it:

How about a beach party

Turn on all the light and get one of those packages of sand and shells to cover the food tale or some side tables. Hang out beach towel and wear gaudy tropical gear. Add grass shirts and/or fringe that can be obtained at some of these party supplies on line for cheap price. You can do Hawaiian additions or a bit of the summer resort you spend time at —-what ever works for you and it doesn’t have to be a formal party, it can be just you and the kids who ever needs a lift. You could even do it at lunch at work in the break room to perk up the office an fellow sufferers.

When things seem particularly bad for you, or your friends and/or family try a movie night featuring tropical drinks: lots of OJ and coconut and what ever other tropic treats you can lay your hands on….add favorite snacks with some nice berries and dark chocolate and have a summer movie night–from Long Hot Summer for you and your best girl friends.

How about Summer School for some fun

Summer of 42

some surfer illegalities in Pointe Break

Bill Murray does Summer camp in Meatball

and we could go on and on.

turn the heat up if you want and everybody dress tropical for couple of hours.

Have dinner some place Summery or Tropical

The Tropical Rain Forrest

with tropical menus and décor has locations in Illinois, Mich. Minnesota, Mass., NY, and New Jersey offering a sojourn from the ice and cold outside…I’m sure there’s other places that offer winter break, scattered about in other states.

Winter lies too long in country towns; hangs on until it is stale and shabby, old and sullen.

Willa Cather