Art just went for a walk wearing shorts and a t-shirt this evening. I didn't go because I'm going to our line dancing class with my friend, Diane. It seems so weird because my daughter, Tiffany just sent me this photo earlier.
Looks like the Chicagoland area is being hit by a lot of snow. KC and her friend, Brady were out shoveling their walkway. Looks like they're doing a pretty good job.
The most aggravating thing I remember when we lived in Illinois was when we had perfectly shoveled our driveway and the snow truck would plow our street and completely block it again.
And yet... I don't think we wished we were in Hawaii. Mom would often ask me how we were coping when she heard about our challenging Midwest weather. The truth of it was, we dealt with our winter aggravation, but delighted in the fun and beauty of the snowy weather too.
Besides... It made spring that much more precious and magical.
And you know what? I miss that feeling.
Even as I appreciate the warmth of our life here in Hawaii now.
Looks like the Chicagoland area is being hit by a lot of snow. KC and her friend, Brady were out shoveling their walkway. Looks like they're doing a pretty good job.
The most aggravating thing I remember when we lived in Illinois was when we had perfectly shoveled our driveway and the snow truck would plow our street and completely block it again.
And yet... I don't think we wished we were in Hawaii. Mom would often ask me how we were coping when she heard about our challenging Midwest weather. The truth of it was, we dealt with our winter aggravation, but delighted in the fun and beauty of the snowy weather too.
Besides... It made spring that much more precious and magical.
And you know what? I miss that feeling.
Even as I appreciate the warmth of our life here in Hawaii now.
We get so excited about snow around here (Oklahoma) and I marvel at our Chicago relatives who could care less. We watched the winter forecast for the Chicago area and when we inquired they replied, "Well we ONLY have eight inches right now." LOL
ReplyDeleteHmmm... Eight inches is rather a lot. I remember laughing when the Obama kids first got to Washington and there was a snow day. The kids were surprised that they closed the D.C. schools because in Chicago, they RARELY shut down the schools because of snow. You had to be strong to be a kid in the Midwest.
DeleteUnlike you, I really didn't care for the 4 seasons in NYC. I much prefer the climate in Hawaii. Oh yeah!
ReplyDeleteThat is a cute picture.
ReplyDeleteI was talking with a brother-in-law yesterday. It was 50 degrees in Connecticut and people were out in shorts and tee shirts. It was 50 degrees in Florida, too. People were bundled up with long pants, jackets, hats, and mittens.
Our families up north all report being ready for spring.
I know exactly what you mean. We took out our t-shirts when it got to 50 degrees in spring (or sometimes winter) too.
DeleteHere's my perfect world: Winter from December to January, with a couple of snow days thrown in for fun. The kind where you stay home and sled and drink hot cocoa. And then we can divide the rest of the year between spring, fall and summer, but no days over 95.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Perrrrrfect!
DeleteI too love the change in seasons. I remember when I lived in Puerto Rico I would lament that Christmas didn't seem right. You do need contrast to really appreciate either warmth or cold. :-)
ReplyDeleteEven though I was used to not having cold weather during the holiday season when I was a child, I got accustomed to the cold weather after living in Illinois for 34 years. Now I'm getting used to not having snow again.
DeleteWe got some snow from that storm as it was on it's way to Chicago. Our temps have been as low as 4 degrees this week and it is supposed to be 60 degrees today....lots of change in a short time. I love the pic of the cute and colorful snow shovelers.
ReplyDeleteI do not miss snow-it was miserable shoveling and driving in it! I love warmth and rain instead of snow!
ReplyDeleteSnow only hits here maybe twice a year. Lasts a day or 2 at most
ReplyDeleteWhat well trained snow shovelers! I like to visit the snow, not live in it. Actually, right now, I don't even have clothes for "visiting," as I have gotten rid of all the snow gear in clearing out the house of superflous pieces. I cannot tolerate cold now so we do not head for the snow as a holiday outing.
ReplyDeleteWe keep a lot of snow clothing in the attic of our daughter's home so we don't have to pack it. If we arrive when it's too cold, our daughter and son-in-law meet us at the airport with our coats.
DeleteWe've spent 8 cool Decembers since 2005. I know what you mean. Just yesterday I told husband it will be weird when we stop going to the mainland to experience colder temperatures at least once a year.
ReplyDeleteL...w
We did go back to Illinois in January about 4 years ago and got a lot of snow and cold weather. We realized then that flights could be problematic so we've only gone back in spring and fall since. And well... spring and fall are the best times to be on the mainland.
DeleteI didn't mind the snow when I was young, but I sure returned to the sunshine as fast as I could. I love the constants of weather here.
ReplyDeleteI am really glad I live in NC now! I had enough of the northern snows! I can go to the mountains here if I want to see snow and then drive home and poof no snow!
ReplyDeleteI vote for Chicago. At least it has seasons.
ReplyDeleteAs long as it does not kill and maim, snow is nice. Sweet KC has a handle on it snow shovel work!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to see them both working on the walkway too. I suspect Tif had done most of the work already though.
DeleteAs someone who experienced Winter regularly in New York and Ohio, I confess that I also experience a twinge of annoyance when local people here in Hawaii seem to feel sorry for me. "Lucky you live Hawaii" is not my motto. On the other hand, I guess I'm a lucky guy and I live in Hawaii, so it's lucky I live in Hawaii. Whaddaya gonna do, as they used to say when I was growing up in New York?
ReplyDeleteI used to be able to SMELL SPRING when it was coming after Winter. It was a beautiful, sweet, earthy smell and the flowers had a regular sequence for blooming: Snowdrops (with the snow still on the ground) then Crocus, then that bush with the little furry catkins on it--what the heck was that called?--right, PUSSY WILLOW, then Daffodils, then Forsythia, then Tulips. On the other hand, we DO have seasons here, just more subtle gradations. I can tell. Has living in Hawaii for 35 years made me an on-the-one-hand-on-the-other-hand kind of guy? Maybe my blood is stirring for Spring as I bought a nice little pot of miniature yellow Daffodils for only $3.99 at Safeway the other day. They're satisfyingly pretty and, as always, yellow Dafffodils hang their heads ever so slightly in modesty.
I do smile every time I see those tulips and daffodils at the supermarket. We had Forsythia bushes along the side of our house in Illinois and they were such a gorgeous splash of color in spring. My cherry tree would also have their moment of glory. Sigh...
DeleteHappy spring, Hank. Not for my daughter though, not for another couple of months, I'm afraid.
The beauty of tropical places like Hawaii or Florida is that when you want to go outside, you just open the door and go. There is no long preparation of piling on clothes. But like you, I really do love the snows and brisk days. It also helps if you don't have to drive somewhere to work and of course "snow days" with no school are super for kids. I lived 40 years with hardly a recognizable season. I am loving all four.
ReplyDeleteKay it's great to see the little kids helping out because the big ones here sure don't (unless prodded!)
ReplyDeleteThe big storm that moved across the country dumped a lot of snow on a lot of folks. It's fun if you can just stay home and play in it. New Jersey is now getting blasted again by high wind and high water.
ReplyDeleteIt's true that I didn't enjoy driving to work on snowy, black iced roads, that's for sure.
DeleteYou are so right: spring is so much more precious after a winter with snow and ice. I like snow, but it is difficult to walk or cycle!
ReplyDeleteWil,ABCW Team.