Winter Breath
by Larry Whitler
Title
Winter Breath
Artist
Larry Whitler
Medium
Painting - Digital Dry Brush
Description
Winter Breath.
Winter breath doesn't happen often in Florida.
You know. When you exhale on a cold day and you can see your breath.
Upon seeing Winter breath for the first time we usually announce it. "I can see my breath!" is usually what we say.
It's quite an expression. It's an expression of excitement, of acknowledging cold air, and a confirmation that winter is upon us.
It's something to share. Almost something to celebrate.
The companion to winter breath is the hand rub. Also the "hands on the face" rub.
Don't deny it. I know you do this, too!
Couple that with the intentional exhales. Just to see a little more steam. Kinda like you're smoking.
I find that when someone is talking to me, when winter breath is puffing from their lips as they speak, that I stare at that wispy cloud around their face. It's a supplement to communication.
It's not a distraction. No. In fact, it's completely the opposite. I tend to focus MORE on what a person is saying when I can see their breath in the cold air.
Especially MORNING cold air.
Yes. That's when winter breath is the best. In the morning.
Now, don't confuse winter breath in the morning with "morning breath." No no no no!!! Those are two completely different species.
We despise morning breath. But we LOVE Winter breath.
I was watching a movie recently and the attractive actress was outside on a cold wintery day. And, guess what? She had winter breath!
I was mesmerized.
Maybe I shouldn't admit this, but Winter breath can be sexy.
Well, not always. Not when the garbage man grunts "good morning" on those cold days when he's making his way around town hanging on to the back of a truck.
Okay. I take it back. Winter breath is not always sexy.
But it CAN be. I'll just leave it at that.
And CUTE.
Yes! Winter breath can be CUTE!
Think about a baby, all bundled up with fourteen layers of shirts, sweaters, coats, and a big fluffy hat. Only a tiny face is visible through all those garments and when she speaks, or even mutters something unrecognizable, there is winter breath!
I bet you're melting just thinking about it!
Or, how about a dog? Oh my gosh! Winter breath on a dog is like watching Stephen Spielberg cinematography! Winter breath on a dog is so wild, so beastly, so (and here's a 21st century word for you) ORGANIC!
Did you know that the movie "It's A Wonderful Life," with Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, was filmed during a heat wave? That's why, in snowy wintery freezing cold scenes, nobody has Winter breath.
Hold on. I'm pausing for a moment to picture Donna Reed with Winter breath.
Ahhh...
Oh, sorry. Where was I?
Oh yeah. Winter breath.
When I was a kid one of my older brothers told me that if I exhaled my Winter breath on a freezing day that I could watch my breath turn into snowflakes.
I tried it so many times. I remember standing outside with our Mom as we waited for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and I was trying to make snow from my breath. It never worked.
I still try it to this day. I know. It's silly, right? But, hey, it doesn't take much effort. Just exhale on a freezing cold day. If it works, it works.
Let me know.
Better yet, post a video.
By the way, the best way to hold a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day is with both hands. Trust me. Your hot beverage will taste SO much better.
Plus, you get the added bonus of seeing Winter breath rising from your cup!
When you live in Florida you embrace the cold days. I know that those of you up north envy those of us living in the Sunshine State during your bitter cold days. But, in Florida, those cold days are rare and, like anything rare, they're special.
Ocala's Christmas Parade is coming soon. It's on December 10th. Robin and I plan to go. I hope it's cold.
I hope we get hot chocolate. And maybe one of those Italian sausages that the hot-dog lady sells over in the Cascades parking lot. (Note: Reference to that Italian sausage was completely caused by my inability to stay on track.)
I hope we need to wear our winter coats. I hope it's cold enough to hear Robin say, "I bet they're cold" as we watch the baton girls marching past.
I hope a visiting Wisconsin person is standing near us in shorts and sandals and making fun of us in our winter coats. (I bet HE would LOVE that Italian sausage!)
And, while everyone else is cheering at the passing high school bands, waving at the floats with their favorite local celebrities, twirling those glow-in-the-dark necklaces, and stuffing their faces with kettle corn, I will be watching for Winter breath.
I know. You don't believe me.
What can I say? I wouldn't lie.
But, I'll tell you this, if it IS cold enough and if you have read this and now know my little quirky inclination toward Winter breath, I wouldn't be surprised if, as you're speaking to me you say, "Are you listening to me, or just staring at my breath?!"
No. Not your breath.
Your WINTER breath.
By the way, I'll have mustard on my Italian sausage.
The painting I've attached is titled, "Winter Breath." I painted it digitally using Procreate with a combination of the dry brush and the turpentine brush.
Uploaded
November 28th, 2022
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