If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes. Mark Twain (stated in 1876)
Weather is a fickle beast. Seems like forever but a scant three years ago we lived in New England. Unlike here, there were four distinct seasons. Some are missed more than others.
Seasons “missed” index in order would be fall, summer, spring and winter. Fall is a postcard perfect with temperatures to match. The main hassle is getting rid of leaves. In fairness to North Carolina fall is still splendid here, the humidity is gone, the temps are ideal and a lot of the tourists have called it a year. I guess I just miss the colors and the sudden dip in temperature. It was almost like flicking on a switch.
Summer here is a lot different than in Connecticut. I don’t care what the calendar dictates. There are about three months of warm(ish) weather in the North as compared to at least five months of hot, hotter and hottest here. All said, it can be debilitating if you let it. NOTE: lots of fluids and SPF 30 are mandatory for survival. A.C and shade are your friends.
Spring is a close call. In North Carolina spring surely blooms and the temps are ideal. The ground enabled by the sandy and clay base is dry and fertile. Depending on where you live in this humongous state there is the scourge of green pollen. You’ll probably sneeze, you may have trouble breathing, and your car will be covered by a thin sheen of junk. Don’t even think about opening house windows until the siege is done. It’s not long, a few weeks or a month, but it seems like forever for a home and people in it craving some outside air.
In springtime in Connecticut there is an awakening with plenty of blooming, flowers, shrubs and trees. The temps are increasing but in that crazy comfort zone of putting a light jacket on and off and off and on. And the ground is as mushy as a carpet left in the rain. I learned this the hard way, after a long winter trying to golf in early spring. What a mess and mistake. The last few years I had a May 1 opening day rule. In North Carolina you can tee it up any month in any year if you’re a diehard. I used to be that guy.
In the Northeast, Winter is by far the longest and most unpredictable season. The cold snap starts somewhere after Thanksgiving and won’t end until at least mid-March. During that time, you will see a hodgepodge of weather and precipitation. Even in the moderate years it was a constant battle of keeping your home warm, dry and safe. It can be a huge endeavor, financially and physically. It was a pleasure to leave those hassles behind. But I’ll admit there is nothing else like the the beauty of a fresh snowstorm.
Shoveling out was a mixed bag of accomplishment, a sore back and daydreaming of lying on a deserted beach draining Pina Coladas somewhere. The last decade in CT it seemed easier thanks to a snow thrower and knowing that at some point I’d leave the white stuff behind. Snowfall itself was very unpredictable. Some years there were just a few small storms and others there were multiple blizzards. In those years some towns would run out of salt, sand or whatever substances they tossed on the roadways.
And here we are in Brunswick County in late January, and it will be interesting to see how it’s dealt with. They’re calling for snow, how much is anyone’s guess. I’m thinking they’ll be just enough to paralyze the joint and a day later we’ll be watching a river of water racing towards drains and rivers alike.
Last night my spouse and I were talking about the incoming weather, and it went as follows.
Do we have a shovel? (her)
No and don’t even think about it (me)
Do we have a broom? (her)
Yes, but I’m not using it. (me)
How will the snow go away? (her)
It’ll melt. (me)
I just remembered that I also have a leaf blower that might work on the fluffy stuff. Let me charge the beast. If all else fails, go back to the original plan. WATCH IT MELT.
Good luck to all and above all remember it’s temporary, don’t panic. Stock up on food, sit back and just chill and for those of us “Yankees” watch the news and laugh about your trials and tribulations of winter weather in a life before N.C.
Be Safe
Goz