Skora zeema!

correction pronunciation: SKOra zeeMA.
This one's going to be quicky, because for one thing, I'm in an internet cafe, and it's expensive, and for another thing, I have to use my right pinky to hit the shift button instead of my left, and it's irritating the goodness out of me. Sweet Mother of Jefferson Davis--the things I do for you people.
Winter is coming, and the preparations began long ago, if only I had had eyes to see. For one thing, for well over a month now, my host father has been pushing food at me. Well, everyone's been pushing food at me, but him especially. And when I politely declined, he would frown and shake his head gravely and say, "Skora zeema, Dzulia." (Soon winter, Julia.) I was, of course, outraged at the suggestion that I naturally insulate myself in this fashion, which he found extremely amusing. Now, at almost every meal, he offers someone an extra helping, or takes one himself, and then turns to me, and says, "Ee pachemoo?" (and why?) and I say, "Skora zeema!"
The hatches are being battened down in school too. I first realized that the dark shadow of winter was looming over me when I saw a little old man clambering around the windows with a hammer, banging shut all the latches and locking everything closed. And do you know why? Skora zeema.
All the stalls in the market place are featuring furry hats and heavy coats, and old women knitting caps for late autumn. The outdoor summer cafes (which are actually solely for the consumption of beer) have long since closed, and are now being disassembled. All the ice cream sellers are looking grim (but they will, I've been informed, remain open all the way through the winter. What a weird country. When you think about it, the ice cream will have to be heated to remain at the correct temperature.) It feels like that scene in Lord of the Rings, when Gandalf looks out over the plains around Gondor and says, "The board is set. The pieces are moving." And why all of these things? Why? I think we all know the answer to that question.
Skora zeema.

quick postscript: emergency need for information--what do you people think? Should I study the piano accordion, or should I study the concertina (the little one?) I need to know soon! The little concertina will be less expensive, and easier to lug around. And cool. It reminds me of pirate shanties. On the other hand--the big piano accordion is more complex, and plays cooler music. Naturally, I have no actual experience to back any of this information up. I just sort gathered vague, subjective impressions and presented them as facts. Come on, people! Share your wisdom!