Creative Block
Posted by Troy | Filed under Self Project
Here on the northwest shores of Lake Michigan, we experience a natural phenomenon known as “lake effect.” We’re perfectly positioned in climate and landscape to enjoy hundreds of inches of snow every year. Most years the snow starts falling around Thanksgiving and continues each day until after Christmas. The newness of winter and the pure white blanket that covers everything is always an inspiring change. I don’t think I could ever live in a place that has no winter.
But as we turn the corner into February, each of the slowly falling flakes brings with it a tiny dose of depression.
When weeks and months pass without any sunshine, our bodies and minds enter a kind of hibernation that makes motivation hard to come by.
Tags: depression, original illustration, self
I’m Here
Posted by Troy | Filed under Self Project
I’m lucky enough to have never suffered from chronic depression.
But it does sneak up on me from time to time.
Every once in a while I’d just as soon stay in bed and am lucky that my office is a mere 3 feet away or I’d never make it.
Today is one of those days.
Tags: depression, Faith, original illustration, self
March Madness for Realz
Posted by Troy | Filed under Traverse City
March Madness has a whole different meaning where I come from…
When everyone else around the country has a skip in their collective steps celebrating the new season… grass sprouting and dogwoods blooming…
We’re typically knee-deep in crusty, dirty snow that’s been frozen for the past two months.
It can make you go a little bit nuts.
This year however, we’re joining in the heel-clicking… thanks to some unexpected sunshine.
It makes me a little nervous to think that winter might return in April… with a sneer no less…
Well I say, bring it on…
Tags: depression
Matt Pond PA Makes Winter Better
Posted by Troy | Filed under Music
Don’t forget to listen along with the Strong Odors playlist——>
Winter is long in northern Michigan.
Really long.
It starts snowing around Thanksgiving and doesn’t stop until after Christmas.
This is followed by another 31/2 months of sub-zero temps, wind-chill factors, and of course more snow.
(usually in the form of 20-inch dumps)
It’s usually safe to put the shovels and boots away once May rolls around.
It can get a little depressing.
Thank God for Matt Pond and Sun Kil Moon and Sigur Ros.
Winter would defeat me if it weren’t for them.
This album was originally released as a free EP (titled Freeep) on the band’s website and later re-released as Auri Sacra Fames.
which means “the cursed hunger for gold”
Love that.
I’m looking forward to a new full-length release from these guys sometime in March…
good timing I think… because that is right around the time full-fledged cabin fever sets in.
What tunes get you through the winter?
Tags: depression, matt pond pa, Music, winter
