Cabin Fever

     For a couple of years, my husband and I lived in Alaska.  His co-workers and our neighbors warned us profusely about cabin fever, namely avoiding it at all costs.  Although we did not engage in extreme weather sports, or even frolic in the pristine landscape by skiing, skating, or sledding (although my husband did try ice fishing), we rarely became bored in those dark, cold months.  We developed a penchant for country music, which seemed to be the choice genre in the town.  We kept our vehicles constantly plugged in so that at the spur of any moment we could go out to a restaurant or browse around the only mall's bookstore.
     It just occurred to me over the weekend how cabin fever is not a condition strictly reserved for Alaskans.  For a few moments I caught my mother-in-law looking out of the sliding door glass.  There she stood, with the same awe all of us held for the triumphant display nature laid before us.  Our daily routine was stymied by the white grandeur around us. But her expression of appreciation of the sight seemed partly eclipsed with the dreariness of reality -- we were trapped.
     Over the winter months my mother-in-law selects very carefully when and where she goes.  She always weighs the risks of walking around near snow and ice with the enjoyment of shopping or visiting friends.  Perhaps this first blizzard of the season ushered in all of the memories of slow, quiet days and nights for her. Unlike the younger members of the family, she does not have the luxury of getting up and going out, much less bracing the harsh winter air.  I need to remember this and take those extra precautions to help her avoid cabin fever!