Winter Greetings,

Today was the perfect winter's day, so perfect I will gush.

Winter is an incredible artist.  Take a look at this masterpiece:

Snow Daisies
~ DH

Just two months ago, these were white Shasta daisies, and now winter's painterly strokes have turned them into snow daisies.

I love winters here in the mountains of Southern California. They give me a huge sense of joie de vivre -- a certain joy or enthusiasm for life -- and appreciation for its seasons.

Let’s face it, winter in most northern latitudes is just not much fun, what with the grey, the wet and the bone-chilling cold.  But the convergence of lower latitude with high elevation has created the perfect winter conditions for a transplant from Hawai`i.  

I am a tropical baby, a "hot house orchid," if you will.  I like the comfort of warmth.  Yet I love the winters here, because Big Bear's winters are in a class of its own.

Big Bear winters are full of sunshine and blue skies, and looking out the window this morning, I was immediately treated to sunlight dancing on the snow, making it glitter and sparkle. 

Unlike the damp cold in Indiana or Northern California or the frigidity of Colorado, the cold here is tolerable. I think it's the humidity factor.  The humidity is low here, as our dry skin will attest.  

On Thursday, I eliminated the dry skin problem by discovering Lubriderm's Advanced Therapy. It is heavenly!  I sound like a commercial, but it's true.  No more dry skin. And no greasy after-feel, either.

I don't even mind the occasional grey day here, as it was on Thursday when we arrived, as the greyness portends a fresh blanketing of snow, which is what happened Friday night.

Lack of humidity and layering.  That's it.

I've also learned to dress warmly. The words, "layer, layer, layer", ring in my ears, and dreading the thought of leaving myself vulnerable to the cold, I heed them well.  I have drawerfuls of winter wear -- liners, tights, sweaters, warm slacks, mitts, polar fleece, scarves, hats, wool socks and boots.

Lack of humidity, layering and the option to leave.  That's really it.

I always know that I have a choice to stay or to leave.  I guess I will never know what winter doldrums are, and hope I never do.

>> Celebrate Big Bear Winters with these scenes, thanks to Kerst Scenic Photography 

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