Iona Winter

Yep, we’ve gone from wearing singlets in the garden, to three layers of clothing – in a day. And everybody seems to be talking about it.

I guess driving through snow and ice into town last night was a HUGE talking point. AND one needed to keep their wits about them, having not had much experience driving in such conditions. But actually it was okay. We drove slowly, and allowed faster drivers to pass us (doing my best not to judge them for being foolish so-and-so’s, and wishing them all a pleasant evening). We marvelled at the way our car lights caught the snowflakes heading towards the windscreen. It was quite beautiful, AND I won’t lie, I was also thankful that the car heater worked.

What’s a bit of snow really, when a great deal of the world appears in chaos? This morning has greeted me with sunshine, snow on the hills, and autumnal colour on the trees. I really am very lucky.

Being eco-minded, these strange weather patterns make me think about global warming. While there is a great deal of debate around this (which I won’t go into here), I suppose looking back in history there have always been freak storms, and strange goings on, as Papatūānuku (Mother Earth) becomes antsy. I don’t blame her, given how much we’ve done to NOT CARE for her over the years. If she were another human, I am sure we’d have an abundance of compassion for her, and be very understanding when unusual things happen – like extremely swift changes in the weather.

What is this obsession we seem to have with the weather? We can’t change it. My hypothesis? It’s something we (humans) are powerless to control, and that makes (some of) us uneasy. Something to think about there I reckon. I’m sure I’ll need to hold onto this thought, when the depths of winter hit and my knuckles are white!

Oh yes it’s a dramatic change, from living in the warmer climes of The Big Smoke. But would I want to return, simply because of the weather? NOT A CHANCE my friends! I would gladly trade weather conditions for a simpler, less stressful life, and throw on another jumper to ward off the chill. Okay, I’ll confess to dreaming of mid-winter holidays in the tropics. But what would life be, without a little fantasising?

Today, I reckon I’m well justified in drinking copious amounts of tea. Don’t worry, I’m not reverting to the previously mentioned ‘writer’s dream life’ – you know, the one which went out the window last week. I’m keeping warm and toasty, the fire is on, a woolly jumper too, and I have a spectacular view to a snow-topped hill.