*Boycott Winter (SP)

                                           Describe Ten Sounds that you Associate with Winter

First off, when I think of winter I think of death. not of death of trees and herbage but death of people.  It is reported that many people die during this time year whether it be of heart attacks, strokes, or other illnesses. It's a time when people commit more suicides out of loneliness or grief.  I digress.

But for the sake of the topic, I'll start with the sniffles and nose blowing, sneezing and coughing whether it be of a cold, flu, or grief. These are sounds of winter.

Not trying to be a Scrooge, but the I must mention - the repetitive holiday jingles that loop throughout the day on the radio, on the television, and on the p.a. systems in stores and in offices. One song in particular played for decades was 'This Christmas' by Donny Hathaway. The season wouldn't be complete unless that song was played whether it was the cheery upbeat version or that slow drawn-out version.  Ironically, he suffered bouts of depression, and his death was ruled a suicide as he was found dead outside his hotel window. humph. This song in addition to the other traditional holiday music is a sound of the winter season.

"Where Is The Love": Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway's Collaborations| WTTW Chicago

Sounds of winter, humph. the sounds of gunshots on the hour of New Years Day. like here in Chicago, Ill we dont get enough of gun violence hear we celebrate the new year letting off a few rounds that just may injure or kill someone.  Where did this tradition originate? According to NCpedia article Shooting in the New Year , the tradition originated in Europe among the English and Germans to shoot guns to deter evil spirits. Among the Dutch they would shoot their fruit trees to for good harvest. Therefore, on at the start of the year the sound of gunfire fills the air as so bullets. 

Bill Sharpe, "The New Year Shooters: The Oddest Holiday Custom in North Carolina Was Brought to the Hills of Gaston County by German Immigrants 200 Years Ago," The State 22 (January 1955).

The Hawk synonymous for the Windy Chicago became a popular term at the start of the great Migration. Wind gusts that bring bone chilling temperatures straight off of Lake Michigan was something southern migrants had to get used to. Singer Lou Rawls made mention of the Hawk in his song 'Dead End Street' from his 'Too Much' album. As Rawls explains "(“In Chicago, the Hawk not only socks it to you, he socks it through you, like a giant razor blade blowing down the street,”.  The howling wind is sound of winter. 

Don’t Call It the Windy City, Call it the Hawk City – Chicago Magazine

Chicago has had some of the most horrible winters that has prompt a discussion question which would you prefer the cold or the snow?   Linze Rice a reporter for block Club Chicago has narrowed down Chicago's most memorable blizzards narrowing it down to the top five biggest blizzards ranging from 1967 to 2011.  Accumulated snow to over 20 inches.  The to answer the question above, snow or cold? 

Well, I personally prefer the cold.  Shoveling 3-20 inches of snow is quite a chore, on top of that cleaning the snow off your car before heading off to work or school.  then there are health concerns that prompt precautions if one does not have a snow blower. Yet the winter sound here is hearing the snow shovels, plows, and snow removal trucks scrape the streets and sidewalks.

A Look Back At Chicago’s Top 5 Biggest Blizzards

after that snow is removed, it is necessary to spread salt around to promote the snow to melt and keep it from forming into ice. Snow salt can be saving grace to keep from slipping if ice has already formed. Salt speeded on the sidewalk makes walking a lot easier and safer.  It is suggested by AccuWeather to spread the salt prior to the snow. 

https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/tips-to-use-ice-melt-products-properly-and-lower-the-risks-they-pose-to-pets-property-2/433875#google_vignette.

Sounds of winter, hmmm, sounds of stumping snow off your boots upon entering a warm house provided by the furnace that kicks on every 20-30 minutes. The winter prediction for 2024 is a colder winter that will be met with a hat heating fuel cost that contributes the rising cost of natural gas prices heat our homes. As reported by CNN natural gas prices will increase 10.5%. So, try not to cringe each time you hear that furnace kick on rather put on extra clothes to endure the winter season.

Electric bill: Home heating costs expected to rise this winter | CNN Business

Ten sounds of Winter.

*the salvation army bells