Green with envy over friends who live in Fla. or Calif.?

They say that it's easiest to read black text on a white page. However, I am going green today, no matter what. My friend promised me the sun yesterday, and while it is attempting to peek at us, the flakes that are still falling, are, well, still falling. 


How to cure the winter blahs is my focus today. As another friend said about her newsletter lately, she writes things sometimes that remind her, too, of things about which she herself needs confirmation. How might I solve the dilemma of winter? Here are some options:


1. The best one I thought of is "best" because it is free: go to Home Depot, Lowes or another local greenhouse where you can walk amongst greenery for a while. Breathe deeply and sneak a finger into the moist soil of one of the heartier plants that won't balk at your intrusion. Gently touch the leaves and marvel at the blooming flowers you will find. I'm doing this on Saturday morning, whether it's snowing or not. 


2. Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. They have courtyard with a glass roof so they have green grass and plants growing all year long. It's free if you name is Isabella on any day of the year or free on your birthday.


3. Visit any museum. The MFA-Boston has plenty of floral paintings, just skip those of Boston Common in the snow. Check out the Grecian urns and pottery where everyone is naked or half-naked: clearly it was warm as they ran all those races. Check out the new wing and let me know how it is!


The New England Aquarium is pricey, but worth the trip. You might wonder why the penguins are inside when their natural habitat is very much like Boston Common. However, you can spend hours sitting on the bench watching the tropical fish and dreaming of snorkeling in some aquamarine sea. There's always just a short walk to the North End from there for warm, hearty Italian food and wine to warm you and then pastry for dessert. 


Both the MFA and Aquarium have coat checks, so you can bring regular shoes and don't have to carry coats, hats and mittens. 


For those of you suffering, but not near Boston/New England: check out whatever museum you keep meaning to go to but just never seem to find a chance. 


4. Go the a Y and pay the single-use fee to swim! Other clubs have this option, so call whichever one is closest to you and make waves! Some hotels also offer a pool-use option, so check them out, as well.


Let me know if you end up with a not-free trip to the local greenhouse by emailing or commenting with the name and a picture of the plant you end up bringing home.