Where Did Summer Go?

 I know technically summer isn't over, but hey, the kids are back in school. To me, that always meant summer was over. It used to be they went back after Labor Day. It seems they go back earlier every year. 

Why should that bother me? I mean, I don't have school-age kids, heck, I only have two school-age grandkids. 

Yet for some reason I feel sad about it every year. Maybe it's because I remember my own going back. I hated getting back to the routine of bedtime earlier, especially as it was still light outside. All summer they got to stay up late, played outside until 9:00 and sometimes later. Getting them to settle down was no easy task, but that wasn't the only reason. Nope, it was fun letting them stay up late and watching them play outside. I loved it. 

And, of course, I knew what was to come. My least favorite time of year, my least favorite season. I was okay until January. It wasn't terribly cold in November and December (at least not usually, although there were a few years). I don't mind the snow. I actually think it's pretty. I just don't like driving in it.  Although most times, the road crews are pretty good about keeping it clear. But those big snowfalls when you can't even get out of the garage without shoveling, well, suffice it to say, I'm not crazy about them. 

There was a time, in my younger years, I actually loved snowstorms. Loved going out and shoveling and playing with the kids building snowmen and making snow angels. But those days are long past. These old bones have trouble shoveling nowadays. Praise God, I have a nephew who does it for a living, and the great guy that he takes mercy on me and plows our drive. 

I have no desire to flee south for the winter, even if I could afford it. Nope, I love Ohio, love being near my family especially. So, I'll live with it and look forward to next spring and summer. At my age the time goes pretty quickly, so it'll be here before I know it. Until then, I'll continue to wonder, where did summer go?

February Half Over

Wow, here it is the 17th of February already. The month is going by quickly.  Seems the older I get the quicker the time goes by.
It's been a fairly decent month weather-wise. A few cold days, but mostly above normal temps, just like January.  I hope that means an early spring and not that winter is delayed.
The bad thing (in my opinion) thing about these warm temps is the flu seems to be worse this year. I think we need those cold temps to kill the germs. On the other hand different types of germs live in cold temps, so maybe it's a trade off.
So far this year, my husband and I have been blessed to escape the nasty bug. Not that the flu season is over by any means. There's still a long way to go.
It is nice, however to see the days becoming longer - I should say daylight, shouldn't I - the days are still only 24 hours long.  And it's really been nice to see a lot of sunshine this winter. Normally the days are dreary, sometimes to the point of having to keep the lights on all day.
Beginning March 8th, only a few weeks away, the time changes again and it'll be light even later. Can't say I mind. I just wish they'd leave it one way or other already.  I hate they keep changing it. Of course, if they leave it to daylight savings time, it's going to be dark in the morning longer. If they leave it the way it is, it'll be dark earlier in the evening during the summer months. I think I'd rather have it get dark earlier. It's bad enough it doesn't get light until almost 8 AM in the winter. I can't imagine it not getting light until almost 9.
I guess I don't have much to say about it. They've been talking about changing it for years and so far it hasn't happened. Probably never will.
Today is a bright sunny day, and I'm enjoying it. Tomorrow it's supposed to be 50 again. Last Friday, it barely made it to 17 for a high.  No wonder everyone is sick. Crazy roller coaster weather.
We'll take the good with the bad and suffer the frigid winters every so often or the snowier than normal winters. And yes, we'll enjoy the warmer than normal also. We have no choice.

Mother Nature Has a Sense of Humor

What else can it be with the weather warm one day and freezing cold the next. January was a bitter cold month. Not unusual to have sub zero temps for a few days in January. It is winter, after all. This year it started the last week in December with temps in the teens and went well into the first week in January.

Before we knew it, by the middle of January the temps were spring like – rising all the way to 55. Great time to take down the Christmas lights and I took advantage of it. Many people did.

February started out up and down, but mostly below average until the 9^th and then a warm front moved in. Not that I’m complaining mind. I don’t much like those frigid temperatures. Never did. Not that I care much for the high heat of summer either. It could stay in the mid to upper 70s all year long and I’d be happy.

This week has been fairly mild with temps working their way up to 60 yesterday (2/15).  Today, it’s going to be 33, below average for this time of year. Next week promises more warmth with highs in the mid 60s. Unfortunately, it’s going to rain.

Can’t have everything, after all it is winter in Ohio. We’re lucky to have the warm temps. I’m hoping for an early spring, but I’m not holding my breath. We often have our biggest snow storms in March. Heck, we’ve even had them the last week of April. Yep, Mother Nature’s sense of humor again.  I guess no one told her Spring is supposed to begin March 20^th.

Sometimes I wish I can go south for the winter, but then I think about it. I’m too family-oriented. I couldn’t be away from them for that long. I know they’d get along without me just fine, but… would I get along without them? Probably not. I like our get-togethers. Like having them close at hand in case I need them. I’ve been blessed they all live within 15/20 minutes the farthest and five minutes the closet. If I have an emergency, I know they’ll be here quickly. So call me a home-body.

Getting through winter hasn’t been too bad since we retired. If it gets bad, we just stay home. I’ve got a freezer stocked with meat as well as frozen (homemade) spaghetti sauce and chili. We certainly wouldn’t go hungry. I’m blessed to have my nephew plow our snow and they keep the streets pretty clean around here, so we’re really not snowbound – at least we haven’t been for a while.

So Mother Nature can keep her sense of humor. I’ll laugh right along with her. 

The sights and sounds of the season.

Fall is just around the corner. Mother nature will put on her usual  colorful display. Orange, rust, reds, browns,and golds mixed in with various shades of green will sparkle in the sun and dominate our landscapes . Cooler temps will erase the humid heat of summer. Fresh mowed grass clippings mixed with fallen leaves, and creating an aroma all their own, will mingle with the scent of wood burning in fireplaces to remove the chill. 

Wreaths made of dried grasses and gourds will adorn doors, while pumpkins, corn stalks, and scare crows will line the walks. Soon Halloween decorations will appear. 

I always feel melancholy this time of year. Although I love the beautiful colors of Fall, it's a sad time for me. I'm not sure why, I've been like that ever since I could remember. Maybe it had to do with going back to school and later sending my kids back. Summer fun was over.  I hated the early bedtimes and schedules.  And, soon to follow will be barren trees, dead plants and gardens gone to rot.  Gone are the family picnics and other outdoor activities. Gone the quiet walks in the woods, fires in back yard, and the grandkids swinging on the tire swing.

But there's always hope. Football parties with homemade chili and the holidays will be upon us before we know it. Families will gather once again, but inside this time, for feasts  fit for a king. 

Before we know it, the ground will turn white with fresh fallen snow. I love the first snow glistening in the sun, sparkling like diamonds. In fact, I look forward to it.


 Once again the grandkids will be here, sliding down the small hill on their sleds or snowboards, making snow angels and building snowmen. The aroma of chili cooking on the stove, apple pies baking in the oven emanate from the kitchen. Ah, yes, I enjoy those first snowfalls.

All too soon, January bursts upon us and mother nature visits us with blowing winds and blizzards. Roads become impassable. What once looked like a beautiful blanket of snow, now becomes a hindrance, keeping us prisoners in our homes. The temperatures dip to well below freezing and often into the single digits, sending the chill factor below zero. Furnaces work overtime and smoke bellows from the chimneys.
Even now,  I shiver  to think of it. It's the worst time of winter. 

Our thoughts will turn to spring as we wade through the knee-deep snow, anxious for the flowers, green leaves on the trees, and warmer weather.

Spring is my favorite time of year. To me, it's a happy time. A time of new life, new beginnings. Temperatures rise and we shed our winter coats, go outside in shirtsleeves, and, praise God, open the windows. The air smells fresher and the grass turns green. Pastel colors emerge from the ground as tulips, crocuses, and daffodils peek their heads through. Ah, yes, summer will be upon us again before we know it.