A thrill of delight
by chuckofish
Books of natural history make the most cheerful winter reading. I read in Audubon with a thrill of delight, when the snow covers the ground, of the magnolia, and the Florida keys, and their warm sea breezes; of the fence-rail, and the cotton-tree, and the migrations of the rice-bird; of the breaking up of winter in Labrador, and the melting of the snow on the forks of the Missouri; and owe an accession of health to these reminiscences of luxuriant nature.
—Henry David Thoreau, “Natural History of Massachusetts”
Here’s to some cheerful winter reading!
The painting is “Vermont Valley Farm – Winter” by Aldro Thompson Hibbard (American, 1886-1972)
dual personalities 
Oh man, I need some cheerful reading! Mid-Mo is buried in snow!
One hundred percent, HDT! I’m reading a novel currently set in Paris in May, and it’s keeping me spiritually warm.
I’m shivering at my keyboard!