Winter Has Arrived

Snowy Stockholm Walkway

With a blanket of snow covering the ground and the temperature resting peacefully at -10 C (14 F), it can now be declared that winter has arrived in Stockholm.  Up until a few weeks ago, Swedes remarked that this winter has been the most mild they could recall.  Their comments are typically augmented with a retelling of the bitter cold of the last two winters when snow fell in October and remained until March.

Evening in Stockholm

Although our birthroots from Michigan and New Jersey instilled in us a sense of adaptation to the cold - head down, shoulder to the wind and all that - more than a quarter century of Southern living in Atlanta has re-wired our winter fortitude.  So despite diminished winter capacity, our plan is to soldier on with neck scarfs, knit caps, sweaters, gloves, boots, woolen socks and take on whatever Mother Nature cares to dish out. 

We have discovered that in this winter cold Swedes don’t necessarily “soldier on,” but rather simply continue to go about their normal lives.  Children bundled head-to-toe in snowsuits and seemingly oblivious to the cold bound about in playgrounds.  The cold has no discernable impact on their playfulness and delightful giggling.

Biker Riders on Snow Packed Road

So when in Stockholm . . . carry on as Swedes.  Jay continues his 40-minute walk to and from the office.  He navigates the snow-caked streets with other Swedes and some who zip up and down the icy streets on their bicycles.

View from our Kitchen Window

There is, of course, real beauty to this winter landscape.  The view from our kitchen table reveals a snow-covered slope with tree branches cloaked in snow under which people frequently walk their dogs.  We have also made an extra effort to feed our neighborhood birds by putting out suet balls, left over bread and crackers.  Framed by a beautiful winter scape, we enjoy sitting at our kitchen table watching the birds as they come to feed.

Large magpies, very common here, pull at the nylon net covered suet balls attempting to carry away whatever food isn’t tightly secured by netting and string. Smaller sparrows and chickadees wait their turns to peck away at the bread and cracker crumbs.

Millie Watching Birds

All this avian munching takes place under the watchful feline eyes of our cat Millie.  Perched on a kitchen window ledge, Millie positions herself in an attentive crouch set to pounce on any bird that may attempt to penetrate our thick double pane glass windows.  

We peer out these same windows each morning to determine just how many degrees below 0 C each new day brings us.  Faced with -4 to -12 C temperatures, humor helps.  Our standing joke is, “What does the thermometer say?” Followed by the retort, “It doesn’t say anything. You have to read it!”  Ha! (rim shot) To family and friends, bundle up and stay warm. Spring is just a few weeks away.