“KILL WINTER WITH ORANGE!”

For those of you not involved in the fountain pen community, this is a rallying cry that begins in February, and many posts of orange pens are posted.

I’ve been thinking about this concept in a bigger way. 

Part of this, for me, is about living in a Northern climate.  Growing up at the beach in sunny Southern California colors were rich and vibrant year around.  Blues and greens of the ocean, bright blue skies, and flowers blooming year around.  I had this notion drawn to my attention when I dated a man from Alaska, who spoke of us all taking color for granted.  Though I listened, I had no experience of this and so, could not relate. 

But here, in Portland Oregon, colors mute in winter.  Few flowers bloom. 

The skies are usually quite grey, though not as grey as Seattle, and certainly, like yesterday, we have some blue skies.  We appreciate them… Mitchell and I take a minute to marvel at a bright blue sky in winter.

Today I pulled out every orange paint I own and splashed it around willy-nilly in my sketchbook.  This mess felt good!

I instinctively begin to reach for bright colors to wear, especially in Winter!  Oregonians commented on my bright wardrobe my first years here, and not in a good way.  It felt like they wanted me to dull it down to fit in… keep to those safe dark greens, blues, maroons and muted reds.  But I didn’t!

To hell with them!

Instead, I cherish my bright colored tees and sweaters and even shoes, when I wear them (once a beachgurl, always barefoot).  Yay! Rainbows in my closet! 

We leave bright colored twinkling lights up in our home and studio year round: not just for Christmas anymore!

Orange is the cheeriest color of them all, reminiscent of sunshine and tastes like Spring should taste!  Maybe oranges were a gift from the gods to mitigate the darkness of Winter.

And Chocolate…
Never forget the power of rich gooey espresso walnut fudge in winter!