EDITOR’S LETTER

SHORTER DAYS, DARK EARLY MORNINGS, FROSTY GRASS UNDERFOOT, BREATH EXHALED IN VISIBLE MISTY PUFFS ... ALL SIGNS OF THE COLD DAYS OF WINTER. BUT NEED IT BE SUCH A DEPRESSING PROSPECT? SEASONAL ADJUSTMENT

People in the northern hemisphere have it so much worse. Could you imagine living way up beyond the Arctic circle in Alaska or Sweden where in some places they have around-the-clock darkness? Stockholm is not too bad: sunrise is at 08h45 in January and sunset at 02h55. And then you factor in all that heavy snow and icy cold too. Getting anywhere is a real mission requiring serious logistical planning and preparation. No wonder folks in that part of the world get seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD)!

I get a little bit sad too when leaves start to fall – but nothing like the full blown symptoms of SAD which includes fatigue, ongoing depression, hopelessness and social withdrawal. Apparently it’s linked to the lack of bright sunlight and blue skies which is why one of the treatment options includes light therapy with a little UV box, along with talk therapy and medication, including serotonin boosters.

Nah, mine’s just a bit of a funk because I know I’ll be sweeping up leaves for at least a month – and will make my peace with the fact that the long sunny days of summer are behind us. And will be for months until the first green shoots start to appear again.

Getting up in the dark to walk the dog while the strolls will often (hopefully!) be done in mist and rain making gumboots mandatory footwear for weeks on end. That’s if nature is kind to the Western Cape and sends along seasonal showers, helping to stave off further drought and the infamous Day zero ... But all that’s required is a recalibration of attitude. Winter is not a time to get all maudlin and down in the dumps because the days are colder and shorter. Just changing my thought process to celebrate the fun things about winter makes a big difference. I love chilly, wet dog walks wrapped up in a chunky jersey because it really makes you feel alive. The routine which follows the afternoon pooch patrol is to light a match to the fire already set in the wood burning stove – and enjoy the evenings looking into the flames.

Then there’s the comfort of rich stews and hearty soups, not to mention more glasses of smooth, spicy, red wines – or even glasses of glühwein, warm and full of cloves, orange zest and even ginger and cardamom. And on the spirit side there’s the instant warmth provided by a golden glass of brandy or Cognac.

I’m not the only one who thinks so either – which is why these various things form the heart of this issue. Please note our regular responsibility article which this issue highlights the importance of checking your chimney flue for residue build-up. Hopefully the many stories provide a bit of entertainment and warm cheer during the cold days of winter.

Cheers

Fiona FIONA MCDONALD CHEERS EDITOR

cheers team

TOPS at SPAR Jess Nicholson Group Promotions & Advertising Manager – Liquor

Publisher Shayne Dowling shayne@integratedmedia.co.za Editor Fiona McDonald fiona@integratedmedia.co.za Art Director Annalie Boshoff annalie@integratedmedia.co.za Advertising Shayne Dowling shayne@integratedmedia.co.za PR & Promotions Kaitlyn Bunce kaitlyn@integratedmedia.co.za Photography Thinkstock.com Contributors Clifford Roberts, Lucy Corne, Brad Cartwright, Teresa Ulyate, Gerrit Rautenbach, Emile Joubert, David Bowman Head Office Cape Town Tel: 021 685 0285 Address Suite WB03 Tannery Park 23 Belmont Road, Rondebosch, 7700 Postal Address PO Box 259, Rondebosch, 7701 Printing Paarl Media Cape, a division of Novus Holdings Published by Integrated Media for TOPS at SPAR

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