I'm sorry. I know how it feels to be isolated not by choice. I have lived in many places with a variety of temperatures. It can be very depressing. I'm glad you are here to reach out and have human contact. It so important for us we were created to have relationships. Even though I struggle with that I still enjoy being with my sister and a few close friends. Perhaps you could pick up a new hobby. TV can get old right? Well, if you need to talk I'll be here.

Ugh! I know!!!

I have to get out tomorrow due to the upcoming weeks nasty forecast. I plan on kicking and screaming the whole way too! We are about to get several snowfalls in a row and even worse cold snaps to drop us into the negatives again.

Not a happy girl at all.

Anytime I feel stuck, it kicks my ptsd in, but seems like you all get this as well.

I did get a little giggle picturing your shined sneakers! : )

Part of my physical rehab is to walk 1/2 mile a day. It's so cold I can't risk it b/c of icy spots lurking unexpectedly. (I grew up where it's cold so the temp isn't bugging me, but that pTSD-fueled terror of falling and re-injuring? is huge).... I am about ready to chew wood and spit nails....

DS is helping, but today I don't care what our wind chill is, I have GOT to take that walk. It's not much but I am sick of the view out my windows. And since my anxiety coping all my life was movement? Yeah.... I hear you.

I ended up watching the Golf Channel just to see sunshine the other day.

That's great! For me it was that I took a guy grocery shopping who doesn't have a car. It got me out and about. He's epileptic and can't get a driver's license. He works at my college.

Helped me stop thinking about me and aired my head out, you know?

This winter is brutal where I am. We are much colder than usual and earlier than usual. I am really struggling this year and trying to come up with ideas to keep out of the funk but right now I'm in so deep I can't dig out.

I'm glad you got out and cleared your head.

I am going out for classes only...need so much more but too cold afterwards to do anymore...titanium freeze!

It's a bitter cold up here with blowing snow, so I haven't even bothered to blow out the driveway, but I did go out to top up the bird feeders. I did manage to do some well needed cleaning in my room and even reorganized my "modern art" displays that are on the dresser, side table and desk which I fondly called those "pieces", "creative clutter" lol Unfortunately my wife lacks "artistic vision" and always criticizes my "work"!

Jen - I love what you do for the birds. I also have feeders, but they have been so neglected this year.

Like you, it always makes me happy to feed the outdoor critters, but I've avoided it this season.

I think I will move them close to my bedroom window, restock them with seed, and then I will get to enjoy watching them from inside. Thanks for the inspiration!

Cindys,

My cat used to scare the birds away from my window. I used to call him the air traffic controller. Poor birds, they'd come to my feeder and then get a heart attack.

Quote from the great Steve Earle, author and songwriter:

"Baby, it's a cold hard world out there."

My thermometer bears him out this morning yet again.

Brrr.

Y'all inspired me. I took an old juice carton and made a bird feeder like back in school art class, and am watchin two species of cardinals, some sparrows, some juncos, and a very confused woodpecker hving a blast getting some nosh despite the wind here. (Brrr!)

Happy birds!