The Grapevine: Why Winter, Even Harsh, is Positive
By Rosalyn Queen on January 09, 2025 from The Grapevine
2025 is here and with it one of the largest snowstorms we have had in several years. As for me I am very happy.
I know that many of you do not feel this way and I realize that you may be working or have kids that have obligations. I have met my obligations, and this is exactly why I choose to remain in West Virginia and enjoy the four seasons.
It is wonderful to get up at five o’clock, get my first cup of coffee for the day, head to my chair in front of the patio doors and enjoy the 
beautiful picture that nature has painted over the night. The whiteness reminds me of the cleansing of the past seasons. The trees with their bare limbs covered in snow, the rooftops covered in snow. The occasional snow man that the kids made last night.
beautiful picture that nature has painted over the night. The whiteness reminds me of the cleansing of the past seasons. The trees with their bare limbs covered in snow, the rooftops covered in snow. The occasional snow man that the kids made last night.
There is a definite silence from the snow on the roads and the fewer cars running. I look at the hill beside my home place and relive all the memories of sleigh riding down the hill. A few of our dads would get together and build us a fire and we would sleigh all night long. It was a long hill, and we would trudge to the top for that three-minute ride to the bottom. Garnet Gillespie Garrett is one of my East View friends that is left and we were just reminiscing over those sleigh riding days.
Through the fall I enjoyed watching the squirrels and birds, but they are all gone for the winter and I just enjoy watching the beautiful snowflakes as they fall to the ground. A beautiful world covered in white snow is good for the soul.
January is a good month to catch up on errands. The first thing we need to do is take a trip to the library. There are several new books out that you might enjoy reading. They are so helpful and will be glad to assist you. My favorite Clarksburg librarian is GiGi Todd.
How about cleaning out a drawer or two. Do not overwhelm yourself, just one drawer at a time. Also, a good time to get rid of those items that seem to have shrunk. Take a trip to the Mustard Seed. with a bag of good reusable clothing.
January is also a good month for soup. The most popular soup is vegetable soup. I will share a secret. My son in law (and Bridgeport Mayor) Andy Lang has won the title of-best Vegetable Soup Maker. Every week or two he makes a really big batch and brings it to us senior citizens. You know mayors are good for a lot of things. Another good soup for January is potato soup. It is simple to make and requires just a few ingredients. I always like a grilled cheese sandwich with my soup.
January also marks the birthdays of my oldest sister Joan, and my youngest brother Bill. It is also the birthday month of Martin Luther King Jr.
I mourn the death of President Jimmy Carter. He was such a kind, giving man. I had the opportunity to meet him and have considered it to be one of the top introductions among the many I have had.
Bundle up, stay healthy and until next week “Now You Have heard it through the Grapevine.”
Editor's Note: Photo of sleigh riding in Bridgeport courtesy of Marteney Hanson.
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