Use this photo to discuss the glories of winter or the pro and cons of toughing it out.
Susan says, “Northerners who head to warmer climes in winter are called snow birds by Arizonans. Here we have evidence of a real bird-type snow bird. The front door is closed. No one has shoveled the walkway because this bird has flown. Anthropomorphizing is a popular method used to discuss difficult topics in presenting. (Assigning human characteristics to animals). This approach is often used successfully because we generally like animals and are less judgmental of bad behavior when it is seen in an animal. The dog who has gone mad in the trash is funny not aggravating.A gorilla pounding his chest is an easier topic to open conversation than if the chest belonged to a muscular man. No sexism to hyper-manliness is automatically assigned to the picture of the gorilla. Without all that gender baggage we can talk more freely about aggression, rage, frightening façades. I suspect that referring to sun-seeking northerners as snow birds is intended as a bit of an insult to the RVers who flock to trailer parks in winter and avoid the extreme heat of summer by heading back north. There is an implication of physical weakness and lack of emotional fortitude. Where as, for the bird, there is no insult. We are talking about reality. A bird’s gotta fly south in winter – or die. This snow bird has flown.”
Lucia says, “Now, let’s look at this as a simple winter scene. In winter things go dormant. There’s a lack of color, exemplified by the black and white photo. Snow muffles sounds, so things are quiet. We know that soon everything will be bursting with activity and color as flowers and tree bud and birds sing. Just as nature needs winter for rest and gestation, we need the same for our ideas. If you constantly put out, you won’t have time to be inspired. You need some ‘winter’ time to let your creativity percolate. So, give yourself a break once in a while, and come back to your project refreshed and able to ‘sing out’ your new ideas.”
