TBD

TBD on Ning


I have just traveled 1,000 miles to see it and it's here this morning.  But why?  I have seen enough snow to last a lifetime, including spending 3 weeks in Antarctica where I was told 90% of the world's snow and ice is located.  But each of the past 14 years I have left the comforts of a South Florida home to make the trek to my other home in the Cincinnati, Ohio area to spend Christmas there.  

I am a snow bird, which means I avoid the snow, not embrace it. It was always my dream to spend the colder months where the sun shines everyday and the golf course is never closed.  I appreciate the warmer climes but Christmas time is different.  Yesterday I went to the local mall where the sight of shoppers all bundled up as they made the compulsory gift purchases warmed my heart.  How can you shop for Christmas in shorts and tee-shirts?  

While my southern neighbors had decided to stay in the warmth of the Florida sun, while they bask by the pool and play shuffle ball, I will try to find my old pair of boots and shovel the drive, as I have to go out this afternoon to get the car serviced and do a bit more shopping.

I am reminded of a trip I took to Ireland in April a few years ago.  I was with a tour group that included many Australians.  One morning the ground was covered with snow, as the temps dipped below 30 degrees.  There in front of our Sligo hotel was older widow in her 60s frolicking in the new fallen mantle of white.  She looked at me and said, "I spent my whole life in Queensland, and at age 66 this is the first time in my life I have ever seen snow."  

On the the other hand, although I have seen enough to last a lifetime, it always delights me. 
 

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Comment by exedir on December 21, 2012 at 8:52am

I had it with snow, that effort of shoveling, keeping the driveway and sidewalks clear and piling up drifts that wouldn't melt until April.  Yet, it remains a memory and I can still see and walk in, in less than an hour drive  with drifts that don't melt until April and replenish the reservoirs and canals for the next year of crops.  

However, it does seem inappropriate to see people with flip-flops on as appropriate winter footwear.

Comment by MGDJ on December 21, 2012 at 6:52am

One Christmas, my wife and I went to Florida.  We had 4 days of 85 degree days lying on the beach.  The last 2 days turned cold, however.  It got down to 40 degrees one day and I remember being astonished at the dress of the locals.  Most didn't have cold weather clothes so they layered everything.  Most of them had on mismatched outfits and seemed very confused. 

Comment by Carolyn Tewell on December 21, 2012 at 5:33am

Interesting.  I write this on first REAL snow of the Season here in Chagrin Falls, OH - fed the wild birds now I'm off to grocery shop for the rest of the family!

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