Do You Believe in Human Hibernation?

In the world of science there are several research projects underway that study how animals who hibernate in the cold months might help us to figure out why some humans seem to "hibernate" when the weather gets colder and there is less light. The ground squirrel is one such animal being studied according to ABC News' story called "Squirrels Shed Light on Human Hibernation."

I have a lot of experience with ground squirrels because my neighborhood abounds with them; they make their homes in the oh-so-California palm trees but they raid all our yards to, for example, bedevil dogs and cats. Cookie says to tell you that she knows this first-hand. They also have to have somewhere to bury their peanuts they break out of the shells. Peanuts? "Someone" feeds the squirrels around here with massive amounts of peanuts--and I caught the person one day. It's an elderly man who walks daily with two friends; I know he means well, but one neighbor who shall remain unnamed is threatening to poison the squirrels in his yard. I never knew squirrels could be so destructive. I saw one today so I know they haven't hibernated yet. They have broken a few of my flowerpots, one Buddha sculpture, and two garden angels in their frantic attempts to bury their peanuts. They also systematically ripped apart a big lounge pillow filled with foam rubber. I guess they are preparing warm beds in the palms as they hunker down for the winter.

But, I digress. I'm entering human hibernation mode and it happens every year. Because of my age alone I find that I am slowing down, but I have to sorely discipline myself to do almost anything besides reading when I'm home once Christmas draws near. I'm not depressed, I might add, but I do admit to also storing up food, both in the cupboards and freezer, and in myself. I don't know where in the heck I'm going to get the energy to prepare for Christmas--or maybe this is the year I won't prepare.

It's a true blessing that I don't live where it is really cold as I become less and less tolerant of cold as I age. My main bed now has two down comforters and one electric blanket. Another side effect of the weather and the season, I guess, is that I could easily go days without checking snail mail, e-mail or writing on the blog--and I thought I was addicted, or at least disciplined, to the blog. What's worse is that I'm lazy about keeping up with my cyber friends' blogs. I could take the laptop to bed, but I don't even feel like doing that. And art? I actually put my work table away and I'm taking a hiatus--I think. I'm even thinking of disconnecting the answering machine. 

I have family, friends and activities that do keep me mobile in spite of my yearning to just go underground. I'm a human doing after all. Thank God I still work three days a week or I might not venture out, except to yard sales and thrift shops and the grocery store otherwise. 

From a spiritual point of view, I know that there is power in what I call human hibernation, but I'm too brain numb to go find the books that explain this. So, am I resonating with any of you? Do you have any tips about how you discipline yourself to keep from hibernating? I just watched CNN's Heroes, an amazing show, and those every day heroes don't hunker in their flannel jammies under the covers with a book. Do you think I need a life coach?