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A Lighter Winter

  • Writer: kiehart
    kiehart
  • 2 days ago
  • 2 min read

I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for eight years, following 18 years in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and before that, Northeast Pennsylvania was home.  The winter season in Washington State has proved to be the gentlest.


Even though the region is famous for its blanket of gray and rain, the PNW winter is temperate and quiet.


The darkness is soft, not harsh. PNW winters are dominated by cloud cover rather than deep cold. Instead of sharp contrasts or blinding brightness, the region gets a diffuse, even light all day long. Thick cloud layers scatter sunlight, creating a soft, low‑contrast environment that is calming rather than oppressive.


Mild temperatures make winter feel less severe, even though they are cool and wet. Unlike much of the U.S., the PNW rarely experiences extreme cold with harsh storms and deep freezes.  December through March feels like a long autumn. I have found the winter season enjoyable, and don’t mind an outdoor walk in the drizzle under a gray sky. My energy level does not shift into the ‘high’ gear of the spring and summer seasons, I'm more relaxed. And, the evergreen landscapes keep the world visually alive as they keep color and texture year-round, unlike many other regions where the winter strips the landscape bare.


Oh, and have I mentioned snow? The PNW mountains are snow-covered in the wintertime; however, I think my city owns one snowplow 'just in case.' Snow is high-maintenance and immobilizing. Rain is a gentle background noise and a refreshing rinse. We don't have to plow the rain.


Don’t get me wrong. I’ve loved each of the places I’ve lived. Each season in each place had defining features.


So while I may miss the postcard beauty of a fresh snowfall, I don’t miss the shoveling, slipping, or strategizing required to survive it. I’ll happily take my drizzle, my moss, and my gray‑sky strolls. And every once in a while, like today, for instance, the last day of January, the sky is blue with a few white clouds, the sun is shining,and the temperature at 1 pm is a pleasant 56 degrees.



In the PNW, even winter seems to know how to take it easy—and I’m learning to do the same.

 
 
 

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September Post

September isn't just a Month--it's a Mindset

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Photo: Monarch Pass, Colorado, September

Let me begin with a quote that captures the quiet magic of this month: “September tries its best to have us forget summer.” – Bernard Williams.

 

There’s something bittersweet about September. It’s not loud with excitement and energy like July or with sparkle and shine like December. It whispers. It reminds us that change is approaching—and change can inspire personal reflection.

 

In the Northern Hemisphere, September marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. The days grow shorter, the air turns crisp, and trees begin their slow, spectacular transformation. Leaves shift from green to gold, amber, and crimson—nature’s final fireworks before winter’s hush.

 

September teaches us that slowing down doesn’t mean stopping—it means preparing. Families switch into school mode. Farmers begin their harvest. Animals start their migration or gather food for the colder months.

 

September is a quieter month. The rush of summer fades, and the frenzy of the holidays hasn’t yet begun. There’s time to think. To breathe.

 

I’ve always found September to be a time of clarity--my 'chill' month. It’s when I take stock of my goals, reconnect with my values, and prepare for the final stretch of the year. For me, it’s about recalibration.

 

So what is September, really? It’s a month of balance, of beauty, of quiet transformation. Observe the changes that surround you each day. Be reminded that change doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

 

As we move through this month, I invite you to let go of what no longer serves you. And prepare, with purpose, for what’s to come.

 

 

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