Old Man Winter and my favorite things of the season

This 19th-century depiction of Old Man Winter feels very much like it should.

We’re not exactly there yet, but I always wondered why winter is described as an Old Man. Somewhere in a faraway place, long, long ago, this idiom must have been born. I never thought of winter as an old man, but it makes sense if you think of the season as a grandfather-like figure.

Where I live, winters aren’t too cold, but then again, it doesn’t take too much for us to get cold in the desert. A few drops in the temperature and the sweaters are out of the closet, the hot chocolate ready to be served.

And then there are space heaters. For some reason, I really like them. They are the kind of gadgets that never changed too much, especially the kind where you can see the coils turning orange, and the sound of tick, tick, tick, as they first come on.

We are in the season where all our childhood favorite things resurge, and being around grandpas is ideal. Maybe it’s because we spend more time indoors, with each other, talking of memories and doing things that make us feel cozy and safe.

Songs you haven’t heard all year are now playing in department store aisles where you shop for ingredients to make meals you haven’t cooked since mom taught you how to a few winters ago.

Movies you remember seeing with aunts and uncles play late at night as you channel surf…