EDITOR’S NOTE
Seasons: Buying Eggs & Buying Time
By Marie Elium
I have more in common with my chickens than I’d like to at this stage of life.
Let me explain. When the days get shorter, chickens slow their egg production. Chicken farmers light their coops at night to encourage laying. We let our hens follow nature’s cue… which means I buy chicken feed and eggs all winter. This is how chickens become pets.
The end of Daylight Saving Time has a similar effect on me now that nighttime arrives in the afternoon. I’ve accelerated my evening routine, wondering just how early is too early to change into pajamas, although it sounds better if I call it loungewear.
Animal Instinct
I used to go kicking and screaming—more accurately grumbling—into winter. Other than the holidays, I found little to like about the dark and cold, although a bubble bath at 6 p.m. has its appeal.
The chickens and other animals may be onto something. My bees are shifting into winter mode, winding down their frenetic baby bee-making and stockpiling honey to survive the next six months. Even my pond frogs are making themselves scarce, tucking into rock cavities and mud. I hardly see them anymore.
Our cover story “Winter Your Way” celebrates the season (look, I’m trying) with the understanding that what we want to do isn’t always what we need to do. It’s okay to wrap up in an afghan and read a trashy novel, but why not try an outdoor adventure, too?
As for all those skiers, winter hikers, and cold-doesn’t-bother-me people, what’s wrong with taking a cue from nature and hunkering down occasionally? If it’s good enough for my chickens, it’s good enough for the rest of us. Each season has its pace.
All this is a long way of getting to our big news here at Northeast Ohio Boomer. We’re moving into a new season as “Northeast Ohio Thrive After 55”—”Thrive” for short— starting in 2025. Name changes are tough for magazines, especially one that’s been around for nearly 10 years. But it’s time.
“Thrive” reflects the energy and enthusiasm we want to celebrate among our readers while understanding that sometimes we need an afghan and a trashy novel to get by. Boomer served us well, so other than the name, we’re keeping and expanding what you’ve liked about the magazine. Specifically, look for more online content and directory listings. There’s no need to go into all the details, but you’ll see other changes starting in January.
Like my chickens, we’ll be back in production with our spring issue of Thrive in March. If you don’t get it already, go to our website—northeastohiothrive.com—and subscribe to our weekly newsletter The Beat to keep up with news for Northeast Ohio’s 55+ readers.
Outside my window here at home, It looks like midnight and it’s only 6 p.m. I had a bath and changed into loungewear/pajamas that I’m going to start calling evening wear to feel better about myself. If my chickens can slow down in the winter, so can I. We’re both taking time to recoup… or should I say re-coop?
~Marie
