Monday, December 15, 2008

Bitter

This morning we woke up to temperatures well below zero, and windchills that made it seem even colder. We aren't breaking any records like they are in northern Minnesota, but it's cold enough for the middle of December, thank you.

Yesterday it was well above freezing, and the snow was melting and slushy. I didn't need to button my coat or wear my earmuffs (thank goodness, since I had mislaid them) or even put on my mittens.

Today it is bitter. Which is to say, it is not good to have any area of skin exposed for more than a moment. The cold stings, bites, slaps our faces. Nostrils burn. Fingers and toes are numb. It's like an attack of some kind.

Bitter. It's a funny word, pinched and small. The word bitter doesn't just describe cold and wind like we are having right now. The word bitter can describe a taste as well as a touch. A wind can be bitter, or a medicine. Or a person.

What does it mean to say a person is bitter? That they leave a bad taste in your mouth? Or that their presence stings, bites, slaps our faces? I suspect the latter.

It's funny though. Sitting in here in my warm house, I can look at the snowy streets and trees, the branches glistening, the white blanket covering everything, and believe, in my heart, it's beautiful.

So beautiful, but still dangerous. Bitter.

12 comments:

Fran said...

I love the way you ask us to look at things - situations, phrases, words.

Stay warm!

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

We had and continue to have that bitter weather here also. Today some some to add to it.

It is all about perspective isn't it.

LoieJ said...

Pinched and small, that's how my nose will feel when I go out this morning. It's 30 below zero!

Terri said...

oh my.....its cloudy and cold here, but not "that" cold....and oddly enough, I am really missing it...and I'll feel this way until mid January, and then I won't miss it anymore...

Crimson Rambler said...

Yes indeed, Diane, there's chilly, and there's cold, and then there's "kill-ya cold"...

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Oh, we haven't gotten nearly that cold. I hope your arctic wave swings just north of us. Bitter weather like that is touch on my little dog.

dust bunny said...

It's cold here, too. My hands look terrible.

Jennifer said...

I'm chilly chilly with oyou, and prayerful that those who are bitter in spirit can thaw....

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

right there with ya in the deep freeeeeze....

Lori said...

We're finally cold (for us anyway) here with rain and everything.

Pondering "bitter" makes me think of "bittersweet". Which leads me to chocolate. Well, there ya go.

Rev SS said...

I'm with FranIAm ... love the way you look at situations, phrases & words ... and, it's almost bitter here (teens overnight, high's in the 20's ... that really cold for Seattle) ... and we have snow and ice!

Barbara B. said...

Stay warm, Diane!