“Now in Season” is usually reserved for edibles, but just this once, I’m asking my category to widen its horizons.

Fireplaces aren’t widespread in Milan, but the earthy smell of rising smoke fills my imagination if not my nostrils. The air is pregnant with winter. The tendency to hug one’s jacket tight is in full force, and although the sun is still shining, it’s doing so with flagging conviction. Grey days are ahead. Bitter cold. Wind. Snow. Bring it on! I can’t wait. It’s time to hunker down—while chimneys unfurl their woody messages—snuggled into warm blankets and even warmer voices…

Meet Arthur H., French, Tom Waits-like singer and piano player, performing his version of “Chim Chimney” (Chem Cheminée) from Mary Poppins. Check out his albums, and let yourself ride into his eclectic, smoke-filled musical space. Perfect company for shut-in winter days. Toss on a log, turn up the volume, and let your neighbors catch a whiff of your enviable hibernation.