Times like this are when I truly envy bears and other creatures that can hibernate. What bliss it must be to take off a few weeks and just sleep.

The white blanket that covered my car and surrounded my home on Monday and Tuesday reminded me that people reportedly sleep away a third of their lives. So lazy.

I’m more ambitious, and am working toward sleeping away one-half of my life. Wish me luck, won’t you? Some of my detractors might say that I’ve already reached that goal by sleep-walking through these several past years. But I reply that’s just envy talking.

Being home-bound also gives a person a chance to not only get a few extra winks, it’s also an ideal opportunity to read the books or magazines set aside for just such an occasion. Favorite movies await another viewing. On Monday, I saw one of the “Addams Family” films for the umpteenth time. And my copy of “The Maltese Falcon” is on loan to a co-worker, so I’ll just have to play out the story in my head. Even now I can see the friends of Mr. Cairo threatening Sam Spade and Brigid O’Shaughnessy for the rara avis.

And when I’m done with work, there’s all those 45s that I can put on my record player.

More seriously though, the idea of resolutions comes to mind. Something about looking out the window and seeing the stillness incarnate inspires deeper thoughts. Being cocooned, even for a few of days, is a better time for each of us to think on what’s happening in our lives and that of the communities where we live.

What we should ask of ourselves individually and as a region is how the challenges we face can be met. These hurdles can range from health and personal finance to economic development and environmental protections. Of course there are so many more. You just have to look around your own neighborhood or even read The Tidewater News to find them.

Ultimately, it’s up to us to solve the issues, whatever they might be. And as much we all might like to bury ourselves under warm blankets, there’s a greater need for us to be awake, aware and in action.

STEPHEN H. COWLES is a staff writer for The Tidewater News. His personal issue for the moment is frozen pipes. He can be contacted at 562-3187 or stephen.cowles@tidewaternews.com.