Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Half Full, or Half Empty?
On my walk yesterday morning, the first guy I encountered was standing outside, in shorts and no shirt, putting air in his car tire. He looked at me, smiled, and said "another day in paradise."
At the end of my walk, I encountered a couple walking their dogs. The husband said that he heard that this week, the high temperature for the day will get as low as 80. He said we should be thankful the high would finally get that "low."
My daughter visited for a few days last week. She returned on Sunday to Boston, where the highs will likely be in the 40s.
A high of 80? Or higher? Yup, paradise. And anyone who thinks that's too hot should remember this in January and February, when it isn't frigidly cold, or snowing, or icy, and we're not bundled up because it's painful to be outside, and we can manipulate our keys and mobile phones, and even think.
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I just got back from Sedona, AZ and loved the 40 and 50 degree nighttime temps. A nice burning fireplace and a good whiskey takes away the chill, along with a down jacket. One's perspective I guess!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Brad. I like fireplaces, too, and I love whisky. I have loads of whisky. I drink it often. No matter what the temperature. And in the winter, I'd light a fire in a fireplace, if I had one, too. Down here, 60s, fireplace, great. For a very short time, and only at night.
DeleteI grew up on Miami Beach. I didn't really know anything else, until I went up north to college. It was on my first trip back, maybe for Thanksgiving or "Christmas," in my freshman year, that I was coming home from the airport, looking at the trees, and I realized what people loved about Miami. The trees were green. They didn't look leafless and dead. And it wasn't cold. Ah...
What Florida doesn’t have are changes of seasons. What up-north doesn’t have are four seasons of 80-degree weather. I suppose that’s why ‘snowbirds’ fly south each winter, and why northerners like to complain they’re always cold. And yet, as I write, the autumn leaves fall, and Westport, Connecticut is awash in gold and orange splendor - the downside being this morning, it’s not 80-degrees. It’s 35, and we are expecting snow for tomorrow. Brad’s idea of "a nice burning fireplace and a good whiskey” sounds perfect. Another Day in Paradise is subjective, But, yikes, I admit: I am freezing!
ReplyDeleteJudith, who on earth led you to the tragic misapprehension that we in south Florida don't have seasons? We also have deciduous trees and semi-deciduous trees that respond to the seasons. "Gold and orange splendor?" No. It's a bit more sedate here. But what I say of the beauty of snow I will say of fireplaces and fall leaf colors: they're beautiful; that's why they have postcards.
DeleteAlso, when the house is cold enough that a burning fire in a fireplace makes sense, it's too cold in the house. And the closer you get to that fire, the uncomfortably hotter the part of you facing the fire gets.
Yup, postcards work for me. It's never 35 when I'm looking at a postcard.
Oh, my, Fred. Is it true that you’re just a “fair weather" friend? Not to build a snowman? Not to sip hot cocoa on a cold winter day? Postcards? Really?
DeleteJudith, snowman? Never have, never will. Ugh.
DeleteWhy do you think I don't drink hot chocolate? I also drink hot coffee and hot tea. And I don't restrict myself to drinking them only when it's/I'm cold.
I know many people-- you do, too-- who would never live where I live, or not in the summer, because it's too hot and humid for them. I don't criticize them for their preferences, or call them "fair weather friends." To each, his/her own. No problem.
Yes, postcards. They don't hurt to look at, like what they depict hurts (me) to experience.
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ReplyDeleteRox and I took a trip to Virginia and DC a couple of weeks ago. The lows were in the 40's and the highs upper 50's, it was a pleasant change from So. Florida. Also, it's nice to be in a location more central to other destinations. We stayed in Williamsburg, VA and did the Revolutionary War Tour for two days (Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown) and then took in the museums, etc. in DC for a few days. Could I live with that weather, probably, but I know dealing with snow is a pain in the ass. So the preference for me is cooler weather with minor snow issues.
ReplyDeleteDo you really know what a pain in the ass snow is? You slip in it, it's hard to drive on it, you have to shovel it, and part of getting rid of it involves salt, which messes up your shoes, clothes, and car. And when it snows, whatever that does to your experience of being outside in it, it also disrupts activities. Schools and other things (businesses, clinics, etc) close. Flights get cancelled or delayed. And of course, there's the climate condition in which snow can occur: cold. That's another whole set of problems.
DeleteNext week, Dan and I will spend Thanksgiving weekend in Boston with family, as we do every year. What a treat to breath crisp air, to walk briskly down city streets, to eat thick, piping hot soup without breaking a sweat, to toss football with the nephews in their backyard full of fragrant leaves, to bend into the wind of a stark, blustery beach, and to hear "Massholes" yell at you to get out of the way! Viva la difference!
ReplyDeleteFred, You simply haven’t lived until you have built a snowman. Trust me on that. If interested, I can supply the carrot and the coal. You’ll have to dig up the snow.
ReplyDeleteWell, from this post and it’s comments, I can only perceive one thing- even Floridians don’t always love being in Florida. As someone who is currently in New England, dealing with the “lows” I can affirmatively say that yes, the crappy cold icey nastiness of winter that leaves salt on your car and shoes, and that you have to shovel while your nose gets cold, and causes you to even have to cancel work/school does suck sometimes, but then I get to enjoy all the other things. The crisp cool thin fall air and the delicately light spring air wouldn’t be possible if it didn’t get colder and then warm up. Don’t give me nonsense about how the south has seasons. I don’t consider 60-90 degrees “seasons”. I’ll take my apple picking, hot cocoa drinking, fire snuggling, snow man making, beautiful white winters and instead not have to worry about palmetto bugs and hurricanes, flood insurance and that feeling like I need to take another shower because I’m instantly sweating after walking out of my house for 10 minutes. And then, when it is summer again, we have a wonderful appreciation for it and we really get out and enjoy. Like, watching our Red Sox play....
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your air conditioning, I’ll enjoy my slippers, sweaters, and an actual cup of hot coffee. And by the way Dad, don’t be so quick to put Christmas in quotes. I have a picture of you artfully decorating a Christmas tree with your daughter and grandson last year.
Becky, I have two words for you and your friends Brad, Judith, Chuck, Mac, and Rox: 1) Bah, 2) Humbug.
DeleteBut having said that, our seasons are more than just the temperature difference (doesn't seem different enough to you, but it does to us; and our winter lows are in the 50s sometimes during the day). You know all those cardinals and bluejays you see all spring and summer? Do you want to know where they disappear to in the fall and winter? They're here with us. And we do have a change in foliage. Not so most of it looks dead for half the year, as it does up there. The changes are more subtle than that. Not everyone appreciates subtlety. And we don't need to bang our heads against the wall, because it feels so good when you stop. Yes, spring is usually a relief from winter. I'd rather not be that desperate for relief.
I have an exterminator. I don't have flood insurance.
We get hurricanes some years. Sometimes, several or many years go by without one. You get snow storms at least a few times every year. If you and/or your brother had ever helped me shovel, you'd have a greater appreciation for the problem.
My first college roommate, who lived up north, asked me if we have boy scouts in Florida. We also have television. Even I could watch the Red Sox, if I wanted to.
Finally, what a great comment from you. I love it. I don't feel bitch-slapped at all. If that was what you intended, you'll have to try harder.
Mac was amused by your comment. He texted me a few times. He doesn't know why I put "Christmas" in quotes. But at least he's spent enough time in Massachusetts to know all about "Massholes."
DeleteMy brother has lived in Boston long enough (25+ years) to be a Masshole, and I live vicariously through his designation. Maybe I'm a BPiotch, or haven't I lived here long enough? I think, perhaps, I've earned my stripes.
DeleteI've lived in South Florida for over half of my life and I still think about New York in the Fall-Winter-Springs with nostalgia. During, my last winter there (1977-8) we saw the city completely shutdown several days by snowstorm ... the streets grew quiet, we got around on foot (or sled) without taxi or mass transit, bitter cold and biting winds, contrasted with the warm, loving and toasty feeling of enjoying a hot drink indoors. My Mom (gone since 1979, would have been 89 today) made the very best, thick, rich hot chocolate and spiced oatmeal. Missing you still Mima.
ReplyDeleteAnd, besides, cold weather (with proper moisturizing) helps keep skin clean and youthful.
https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/beauty/a27237/reasons-why-the-cold-weather-is-actually-good-for-your-skin/
Thanks for the post Fred, it took me back to being a kid for a few minutes.
Oh, and if you're counting, put me in with the Half-Full's.
Ah, yes, the blizzard of '78. I was in Massachusetts then. My then wife and I lived in an apartment on the grounds of the hospital where I was an intern. She had to commute to Boston. I don't remember how she did it, but it seems to me there was a police escort involved. For me, I was the only intern in the hospital, covering everything, for about three days or so, because the others didn't live there, and they all said they couldn't get in.
DeleteSorry for the anniversary. Did you make yourself as good hot chocolate and oatmeal as you could today?
I thought drying was bad for the skin, and the moisturizing in this climate was better (as long as you don't get too much sun). What do I know? What am I, a dermatologist? But then, the author of the article you linked is in the UK, so perhaps expectedly promoting the life he or she lives.
Fred's got the cold heart of a snowman ... and he just got bitch-slapped by his daughter!There is a Santa Claus!!
ReplyDeleteBecky and Mac,
ReplyDeleteYou sooo get it! Stay cool.
Last comment: that was I, Judith
ReplyDeleteI was grinding my teeth before I started reading this post because Nicole is currently fluffing her fake snow covered christmas tree aka her Chanukah Bush on our back patio. She says if I don't get off my ass and help, tomorrow she is putting out spinning fake Christmas trees on the front porch. I spent a year of college at University of Colorado boulder and absolutly appreciate both places of the country. Crap, Nicole has keys in hand and walking out the door to get those fake Christmas trees, for my wallets sake gotta run!
ReplyDeleteAlso, someone said whiskey! Lets have a whiskey tasting on a cool south florida winter night.
DeleteWhiskey sounds geat
DeleteJared and Fred, I think a whiskey tasting is a great idea. Brian and I have a 21 year old scotch that we can crack open along with an outdoor fireplace, we can also discuss why anyone would choose to leave Boulder!
ReplyDeleteBrad, the front range is like no where else in this world. Count me in for that scotch, but no fireplace snuggles for me. Nicole only gets this bear's snuggles 😎
ReplyDeleteHa... too funny! Let's plan it and I will even put up the holiday tree for Mason and Nicole.
ReplyDelete