Saturday, November 29, 2008

Thankful for a Beautiful Day!

During the month of November we've had day after day of cold, gray, dreary and depressing weather. I think that is also one of the reasons I've been feeling SAD, I believe I have experienced Seasonal Affective Disorder. I really dislike winter, it's not so much the cold weather that bothers me, but the lack of sunshine. Sometimes it really does affect my energy level and my moods.

Today was a gorgeous day! While it was only in the mid to upper 40's, the sun was shining and it felt warm to me. I was able to get outside an clean off the patio and empty the containers to store them in the garage for the winter. It felt so wonderful to be outside piddling around in the yard. I'm very thankful for my guys who helped me with this heavy chore.

The robins are still around and they were chirping loudly today as were the cute little chickadees.

Glorious sunshine, yard work, and singing birds... now that was just what the doctor ordered!

19 comments:

Mary said...

I have SAD, too. We usually have plenty of sun in NC, but the days are short. I need to live in daylight and periods of sun. So, I understand!

Isn't it wonderful to work up a little sweat end of November and get into the outdoors?

Glad you could do it.

Mary

Debbie said...

Right there with you, Robin and unfortunately, the older I get, the worse it seems to be.

I am glad you are feeling better. Try and get out and enjoy that sunshine while you can.

I always look forward to your posts and your photography is so wonderful.

Sherri said...

Robin, I'm so glad you posted. I was getting worried about you. I hope you find some sunshine and feel better!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Great picture of your namesake. I am glad you could get outside today. It always makes me feel better to get outside some each day. Maybe during winter you should let Lily take you for a walk every day since you can't work in the garden.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I'm one of those nutty people who love winter. I enjoy hiking more when it's cold. We also see more water in the waterfalls during the winter. I guess I love all four seasons---and if I had to choose one I don't like as well, I'd choose summer. But--we're all different and we all just have to make the best of all of these changes.. Getting outside IS good medicine!!! Glad you are feeling better, Robin.

Lynn said...

So nice to see a Robin. They haven't been around here in a while. It has really been a cold Novenber. I too hate winter and I take my Vitamin D everyday to give me a little sunshine in a pill!!! It works for me... Take a look at some of the West Virginia Pics on my Blog...
lusarytole.blogspot.com
Thanks for the Robin Pic it was great!!!

F Cameron said...

Robin, glad to hear you're having a great day!

When we built our house, we made it passive solar. On a sunny winter morning, our front porch is 30-40 degrees warmer than the air temp out in the meadow! We get our Vitamin D. Our neighbors must think we're crazy when there's frost on the grass and we're sitting out in our shirtsleeves drinking coffee! :-)

Cheers,
Cameron

Jan said...

Hi Robin!
Ever since I've become a Blotanical member, I've been looking for you...but you hadn't been posting. I thought you must be very busy. But, it's great to see that you are back...although I'm sorry about the SAD. I can relate, though. All of LAST winter, when I first started blogging, I had S.A.D.-- I just didn't realize it was that. Now, since September, I've been using a light to deal with the SAD, and it has worked wonderfully. It's called a "Happy Light", and it's made by Verilux. It has really made a difference this year! Perhaps you ought to think about giving something like this a try. My doctor recommended this brand to me, saying it is the only one he is aware of that has had clinically significant results. (It sounds like I'm plugging this company, although I know nothing about them, other than I like the light!). Well, take care, and I'll look for more great posts and photos through this next winter!! Jan

Robin's Nesting Place said...

Mary, I've always hated winter and occasionally got the blahs when I lived in the south. We had more sunshine and in February the daffodils started blooming and you just knew spring was around the corner. Here we go so many days without seeing sunshine, and winter seems to drag on forever. I'm already complaining and its only NOVEMBER! Yikes! Yes, it was wonderful to get outdoors today!


Thank you, Debbie. I think it's getting worse with age for me too.

I'm sorry I caused you worry, Sherry. Thank you for caring! I do hope we have more sunshine instead of the dark dreary days. That would be a blessing!

Lisa, I'm such a wimp. Really, more like a bear. I hibernate in the winter. Lilly sure would love to walk. Hopefully we'll have a few more days like today and we can do just that.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Hi Robin, I wondered where you were, too. I don't think I have sad, but I hate winter, and short days. I am always relieved when December 21 comes, and the days start getting longer. My husband and I were sick this week, and I hated not having the energy to enjoy our 50s.

Take care!

Anonymous said...

I was recently diagnosed with an Insulin resistance disorder.I am taking a medicine that has saved my sanity. I've been starving to death most of my life and didn't know why. Brain fog was common so I understand how sadness can be a royal pain to deal with.

Sadness really goes against our natural desire to be happy and therefor is just plain annoying. I wish for you lots of sun and warm days. If not--then I wish for you to go to the big box store and get a bunch of those light-bulbs that make you a happy camper!

Shibaguyz said...

We're weird... we actually like the darker winters here in Seattle. As a matter of fact, we were just talking about the merits of a cloudy sky today. For example, the city seems to glow at night with the cloudy sky overhead. We were at Seattle Center tonight doing a show for work and when we walked out, there was a low cloud cover. The entire park, the lighted trees, the Space Needle and the towering sculptures in the park were sparkling and the sky was glowing brightly with their light. It was stunning.

That said, we've had a couple of bright gorgeous days here as well and we just love those... guess we're riding both sides of the fence! LOL

Glad you found some relief from your SAD. Drop on by our blog sometime and we'll see what we can grow up in the back yard to make you feel better!! ;)

talk to you soon...
The Shibaguyz

Patricia said...

I'm so happy to read this lovely post, Robin, and praising God for sending you sunshine and a beautiful day. You've been in my prayers. I think I have SAD, too, but mine is in the summer. I think I need to be in earnest prayer for you in the winter and you can pray for me in the summer. Deal? ((((Hugs))))

Rose said...

This is the perfect antidote for winter depression, Robin! So glad you had such a wonderful day.

Like you, we had a few glorious sunny days this week. This morning it is gray and cloudy--but we have snow! It's a beautiful day of another sort.

Gail said...

Hi Robin, I am glad your back...and that the skies were sunny today in your part of Indiana! There have been a few blog posts on Why We Garden and bloggers say very similar things.... Being in the garden lifts our spirits, fills our souls and heals us. Maybe this will be a year of more sunshine then gray days. We can hope!

Keep warm and have a good week,
Gail

Gail said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gail said...

Robin,

I deleted cause it copied twice and I ought to have caught mistake, as well! I meant you are back not your back! Gail

Shauna said...

I'm new here! What a great blog :) ♥ Hugs!

Naturegirl said...

Robin blue skies and robins..something I don't see here in my corner..and BTW I too suffer from SADD...are you taking vit.B..I understand the mood swings .. soon I'll be heading for AZ and the Spring sunshine.