“Sometimes I wonder whether I like summer better, or winter better. Usually it is when it is NOT that season, that I like it most.” (Darcy)
The town clock flashed a negative 3 bone chilling Farenheit degrees, as I stood numb at my school crossing post in January. Another western New York winter arrived with a vengeance. I wiggled my toes in desperation, confirming I still had them, and thinking, “I can’t wait for Summer”!
February found me chopping icicles off my house gutters, champion size icicles, easily 10 pounds, wishing they were large mouth bass. An avalanche of snow slid off the roof, smacking me squarely in the face while I mumbled, “I can’t wait for Summer”, and felt the watery intruder melting down my neck.
Trucks plowed heavy March snows from neighbors’ driveways, while wind gusts boomeranged it back at me as I labored with my own heavy snowblower. I uncurled my frozen fingers, one by one, from the icy grips of the obtrusive machine, and beneath a thick wool scarf wrapped around my face like an entombed mummy, I cursed the forecast and screamed in muffled frustration, “I can’t wait for Summer”!
It’s July and the humidity is oppressive. Mid summer in western New York means muggy days and restless nights. A frosty winter breeze would feel so refreshing but the calendar gives me no solace. “How soon to Winter”?
Wasn’t it just yesterday that I mowed the grass? Yet, there it lays, waiting for another clipping. Is there no end to summer’s workload? Safety glasses! Earplugs! Industrial yard machines cranking up the descibles! I yearn for the peaceful whisper of a powdery snowfall. “How soon to Winter”?
An evening stroll through our garden on a warm August night demands a healthy dose of insect repellant. Even then, in a struggle for survival, the stronger mosquitoes find unprotected spots on my arms and legs to draw my precious blood. A winter frost would be my ally in this ongoing battle between bug and body. Desperately, I cry out to Mother Nature, “How soon to Winter”?
I’m comforted to know Fall is just around the corner. It’s my favorite season, you know, except for the ragweed and golden rod, of course. And, yes, it’s followed too closely by winter,with its long, cold, black nights and grey, bone chilling days…
Well, there’s always Spring…
srbottch
You are an artist with your words painting such a vivid portrait of Mother Nature. Love reading your blogs. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. Your encouragement and kind words motivate me. So happy you liked it.
LikeLike
Nice story my friend.Good thought.I would recommend you move to the French Riviera.No winter here.
Expecting the next short story soin.
🐻🐻🐺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mais, je ne parle pas français. Je vous remercie pour votre commentaire nice.
LikeLike
Love it, especially about the mosquitoes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Meg. One night, there were so many that I was worried about knocking myself out from whacking so many of them. Glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Thank you, Steve. Enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the ‘Follow’, Jim. And this week I’m thinking how a little winter blast would feel good. Phew, it’s warm!!!
LikeLike
Yes-yes-yes. When we are sick, we want to be healthy; when we are healthy we ‘want’ to call-in sick to skip work. So it goes.
‘Intruder going down my neck’ was beautiful description. Thanks Steve.
Dursh
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dursh. I rewrote the ‘intruder’ line several times but your comment is confirmation that I got it right. 😊
LikeLike
Hah! You nailed this. So true, so true…
LikeLiked by 1 person