I know some people dislike February or March more than January. They are sick of winter by then. Cabin fever sets in and the continued cold and snow becomes unbearable. I understand that. I felt those feelings. However, I always thought February arrived with hope. February was what you earned for living through January. In my mind I had to get on the other side of January before I could begin to imagine spring might actually return.
I used to live in fear of snowstorms, not because I disliked the snow, but because I had to drive to work in it. I do not miss white-knuckle driving.
The University was famous for never closing because of weather. In fact, I think it officially closed for a snow day only 3 or 4 times in the 37 years I worked there. A special breed of stoic, fearless, and hardy souls live in the frozen Northlands! If you can withstand a long, cold northern winter you can withstand just about anything.
In Florida there is no snow; however, we are having our "winter" right now. It was in the low 50's all day yesterday. We turned our heat on for the 3rd time in 2 years. I went to the doctor and that is all anyone in the office could talk about, the chill. Ha! But I was right there with them, annoyed that I had to wear socks and a light jacket.
One of the nurses, a woman who had already revealed to me that she was originally from the Bronx, winked at me and said "We are spoiled down here!" We smiled, knowingly. We continued to complain about the weather with the rest of them, but we knew better.
The best part of winter in Central Florida is the relentless sun, which shines bold and bright almost every day. I never take it for granted, and it never gets old.
And what kind of doctor did I go to? A dermatologist, of course. Too much sun and you get actinic keratoses that have to be removed. Nothing and nowhere is perfect.
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| A walkway at Leu Gardens in Orlando, Florida - January 2016 |
I endure until May, when the goose comforter comes off my bed. My fingers are too cold to go on.
ReplyDeleteYour post about driving the VW bug on the median in 1969 inspired me to write about winter today.
DeleteJanuary is not my favourite month but February? February last three times as long... And then, THEN, beware the ides of March!
ReplyDeleteI have met very few people who agree with me on this January thing. March, of course, can be a real heartbreaker.
DeleteLooking forward to winter in the Sunshine State!
ReplyDeleteOh gee, I hope that means you and C are moving to Florida!
DeleteI love the variety of having 4 very distinct seasons, not only for the changing weather and landscapes, but also our clothes and food change too. Still, I agree with you on January. I am a winter enthusiast but January is often too cold to enjoy the outdoors. Which is why I always try to sneak in a January vacation to a warmer climate - just to get my vitamin D : )
ReplyDeleteI actually had to start taking vitamin D when I moved to Florida. We are so covered with sunscreen that the Vitamin D from the sun doesn't get through. I also like 4 distinct seasons. I do miss that.
DeleteMy cousin got a job in Florida and I'm looking forward to visiting her.
ReplyDeleteHow nice. It is quite wonderful down here for 10 months of the year. You want to skip July and August though.
DeleteSoutheastern Pennsylvania had been having an extended autumn until two weeks ago. It got colder but there was very little complaining as cold can be handled and, besides, we wanted to wear our new winter coats that we got for 70% off. Now, though, with an expected 18 inches of snow this weekend, we wish we had booked a two week vacation beginning today in Florida.
ReplyDeleteI read about that storm. I hope it isn't as bad as expected. Congrats on getting a new winter coat for 70% off - nice.
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