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When it comes to winters in Utah, the season can be a brutal endeavor. Summer transitions to an all-too-short fall, which gives way to a long, cold, and dark winter. The ground is barren, creatures lie still, and snow falls softly through the night's crisp air—all to welcome you with slick roads and a stressful commute in the morning.
But, as difficult as the season can be, many Utahns adapt and even enjoy the colder months. According to Courage Renewal, Parker Palmer, the renowned professor and writer, had a piece of wisdom for the literal and metaphorical winters.
"The winters will drive you crazy until you learn to get out into them," Palmer said.
Embracing the cold, the snow and darkness of winter have its place, but so does finding warmth and respite from the harsh reality of November through March—and there's no better way to do that than curling up by the fireplace and allowing its warmth and light to bring comfort and clarity from the chaos of the day.
Regarded as the heart of the home, fireplaces are potent agents for gathering loved ones and evoking feelings of comfort, security, and relaxation. It is because of these well-known connotations that fireplaces are often used for key scenes, or plot points, in movies.
Intentionally used in all genres of movies, fireplaces are effective tools, with one Medium article describing their ability to "heighten an atmosphere, convey a sense of danger, lull the viewer into a false sense of security, and symbolize romance, passion, security, or closeness between characters."
Think you can guess which movie has iconic fireplace scenes? Take the quiz to find out! Be sure to enter the giveaway for a chance to win $1,000 off a fireplace from Bill's Comfort Systems.