There’s one sure-fire way to get through a cold winter and fight the blues: Think spring. This is the perfect time to start planning for warm weather.

Here are some ideas:

Plan a garden, whether that means pots on your balcony, a bigger space in your yard or a spot in a community garden. Send for catalogs and lay out your plans on paper.

Meanwhile, a green plant or two in your living space can help you think “spring,” as well as cleaning the air.

If you have pets, be sure that you can put the plants where they can’t get to them.

Design the perfect cruise or vacation.

Check online for information, but go through a local travel agency, as it’s safer than ordering anything online.

For adventures closer to home, ask the senior center if it is planning any local trips.

Investigate warm weather volunteer work, such as assisting with Habitat for Humanity. Not all of its work involves heavy lifting.

Meanwhile, staying active now is a good way to fight any depression while we get through the winter.

Think “new.”

Look for new places to walk: malls, local high-school gyms, other neighborhoods.

Study something new.

Check a local college to see if there are classes you can audit.

Find a new author and borrow books from the library. (Reference librarians love the question, “What do I read next?”)

Check classes in pottery or stained glass and get a head start on next year’s Christmas gifts.

Join or start a group that exchanges recipes, reads selected books, does photography, plays with animals at the local shelter or rents weekly videos.

If there’s a hobby you’ve wanted to try, winter is a good time to start.

Take advantage of all the information on the Internet, either on your own computer or one at the library.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible.

Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com.