Good Riddance

/ Ann Coleman

Generally speaking, I like living in a climate with four distinct seasons.  I like the beautiful flowers of Spring, the fact that it’s warm enough in Summer to go swimming and walk out of my house without bothering to put on shoes, and I always enjoy the brilliant foliage of Fall.  Winter begins just before Christmas, which is my absolute favorite holiday, and also provides snowfalls that are both beautiful and peaceful.  The changing seasons give each year a pattern that is both predictable and comforting.

Of course, each season also has a downside.  Spring’s pollen makes me miserable for weeks, Summer always has a stretch of unbearably high humidity, and Fall means shorter days and ragweed.  And while Winter certainly has its own beauty, it also brings dangerously cold temperatures, icy roads and sidewalks, and air so dry it seems to suck the moisture out of every living thing.  But as far as I’m concerned, the absolute worst part of Winter is that it never knows when to leave.

fullsizeoutput_5fb1If seasons were people, Winter is the distant aunt who shows up on your doorstep bearing cookies and a great big suitcase, and who is still installed in your guest room long after you’re ready for her to go.  It’s the friend who sticks around for hours after the party is ended and doesn’t seem to notice your yawns and pointed glances at the front door.  It’s the time-share salesman who lures you into his office with tons of freebies before launching into a never-ending sales pitch.  Winter looks good when it first arrives, what with its sparkling landscapes and blankets of snow, but no other season manages to overstay its welcome quite like Winter.

Which is probably why I am now writing my annual, “I’m sick of Winter” blog post.  I’ve managed to cover most of the details over the years:  the static electricity, the frozen nose hair, the aching muscles from shoveling snow, constantly cleaning the floors because the salt on the outside steps keeps getting tracked in, and the need to put on several layers of clothes simply to take the trash out.  And I’ve mentioned a certain dog who persists in believing the frozen treats he finds (and tries to eat) in the back yard are chocolate popsicles, and often refuses to go outside altogether if he thinks it’s too cold.  But this year brought yet another annoying revelation:  if you drop your white face mask in the snow, chances are that you aren’t going to find it until the Spring thaw.

fullsizeoutput_5fb2So even though I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again:  it’s time for Winter to be over.  It’s time for the arctic blast that has gripped our country to go away, and let us begin to thaw out in peace.  We want to retire our snow shovels, put away the rock salt, and pack away our heavy coats until next year.  We’re not asking for any miracles, we just want it to warm up enough that we can once again get together with friends and family in our backyards, and even cook the occasional burger on our grills.  Not to mention quit worrying about frozen pipes and electricity outages.

In other words, “Winter, winter go away!  Come again another day!”  (And please make that day far, far, into the future……)

112 thoughts on “Good Riddance”

  1. Speak for yourself! I’m asking for a few miracles, especially for people who’ve been sixty hours without power, and now have no water. There’s nothing quite like local officials advising “boil water” when you don’t have water and don’t have power. We’re just not equipped for real winter down here; I had to introduce an upstairs neighbor to the concept of salt for melting ice — not to mention that she could stop fussing about the food in her refrigerator going bad. If the power’s out and it’s 18 degrees? Put the food outside!

    On we go.I’m sure with you when it comes to being ready for this to move on.

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  3. Every succeeding year, I feel that winter gets old in a hurry. Now, it only seems to take the first big dump of snow to elicit that opinion. But, the recent 10 day spell of daily highs not exceeding -27C (-16F) and nightly lows near -40C (-40F) coupled with wind chills down to -51C (-60F) takes the cake. You know it has been cold when you think -17C (2F) is a warm day. So, like you Ann, I am ready for the warmer weather and spring flowers, but I will need to wait a bit longer for it to arrive here. Stay well, stay warm and don’t lose power. Allan

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    • I know! Every time I read one one of your posts on Winter, I feel grateful for how “warm” we are by comparison. I hope your area truly warms up soon. And I’m lucky, our power is fine, but I know many parts of the United States that aren’t equipped for this kind of cold are struggling to keep the power on and the water flowing!

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  6. After a long stretch of daytime highs below zero, we got up to 9 degrees today. I was walking from mall to car with my coat unzipped and no gloves and loving the clement snow showers.
    We adjust & then embrace our frosty kidnapper. 🙉❄🙉

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    • Yes, it’s amazing what we can get used to, isn’t it? I remember when I moved here after four years of living in Iowa, and I never zipped my coat when it was above 30 degrees. My friends here thought I was nuts, but if you bundled up in the thirties in Iowa, you’d never learn to tolerate the many, many days when the weather was zero or less!

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  8. Chocolate popsicles!!! HaHaHaHa!!! That’s so funny! It’s been a time for so many these past few days, and it’s not over for friends and family back east. Aaron and I just went to the store, and the 21 degrees outside felt balmy to me after temps here like yesterday morning when it was -11! I love the coziness of winter but spring will feel great this year, that’s for sure! Take care, Ann – and keep an eye on your doggie. 🙂

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  9. Frozen nose hair! I had no idea, apart from one day in Iceland where it felt like -25 C, and I got frostbite in that. U never knew severe cold could be so painful, in the physical sense. I thought one just felt numb.
    But -51C is pretty danger without heating. Take care.

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    • Wow! I can’t imagine how cold that must feel! My husband got frostbite on his ears when he was young, and he still has to be careful to keep them covered these days if it get too cold. My eyes run constantly in the cold wind so it looks as if I’m crying, and my fingers just ache. I really wish that the cold just made us numb, but I’ve never experience it that way. Hope you are able to stay warm until Spring!

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    • I know! Covid has made this Winter so much worse, because most of our socializing is done outdoors, and now we can’t even do that. No wonder we’re impatient for the vaccines! (Although I’m in the very last category in my state to be eligible for it, so patience is needed.) But I do think that Spring will make us all feel better and more hopeful, which is so desperately needed right now!

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  11. Long walks on the beaches of Sanibel is what the doctor would have suggested in bygone years… oh well, maybe this time next year!

    Try to stay warm and keep Finn away from the backyard popsicles… chocolate is bad for dogs (and the humans who have to bag them!).

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    • We’re doing our best! But Finn is quick, as you know. And I was SO hoping that we could celebrate Louise’s retirement together in Sanibel this Spring, but the vaccine is rolling out far too slowly for that. As soon as it is safe to do it, though, we’re there!!!

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  14. Well, I feel like I cannot comment properly since I live in Southern California where it was 70 degrees today. That almost feels snarky to write.
    However, I do want to tell you what a wonderful writer you are, Ann. Your descriptions had me rolling on the floor. The metaphorical aunt who has overstayed – well, even though I’m not where you are, I sure get the picture from your lyrical words!

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    • It’s not snarky, it’s just honest! I say, enjoy those temps…California has had more than its share of problems in the past couple of years, so you deserve it. And thanks for your kind comments about this post!

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  20. I was feeling lucky that this morning it was 2 degrees so not in the negative numbers! (Kind of sad if I think about it) Anyway I’m ready for the snow and cold to pack up and move on. I was driving behind a truck when one of the snow turds fell off the back and I had to do some fancy driving to avoid hitting it (it was a really big one)!!

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    • That must have been scary! (And I love the name you called it!) But yeah, warm weather is a relative term, as this Winter has taught us. Today I’m rejoicing because it’s going to be a high of above twenty! Ordinarily, I complain when the high temp of the day is 23…..

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  22. Oh Ann, I feel for you. I’m also smiling cos I’ve been there. We always want what we haven’t got don’t we? if I could send you some of our balmy temperatures (it’s 31C as I write this) and warm sunshine to melt that snow I would. Stay warm and know that “this too shall pass”. 🌞

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    • Thanks, Miriam! You know, “this too shall pass” has become my mantra, between Covid, the weather, and assorted other issues. There is so much wisdom and comfort in those words. Meanwhile, enjoy our warm temperatures! You deserve them!

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  23. Ann, poor winter, often warmly welcomed with excitement and joy and towards the end everyone wants rid of it! I love snow and yours looks amazing! But yes, I can see the annoyance of clearing the paths and driveways and all the salt. Here we have bitter cold damp for months on end and that is exhausting, the grey a real downer! Walks are muddy affairs and even hanging out the washing I venture across the bog pit which was a lawn. Oh, it’s good to moan! Warmer days here, bulbs nearly in bloom and lots of buds on the trees! Spring, we are ready for you! 😀😀

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    • Yes, it is sad how most people want to get rid of Winter well before it’s over. And it does impact Spring as well! It is good to moan about it now and then, I think, as it gives us a chance to “blow of steam” But sooner or later, Spring will come and we’ll welcome it with open arms….pollen and all!

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  24. With the exception of this past week, we have actually had a relatively mild winter here is southern Ontario which we have been very grateful for. Spring is just around the corner Anne! Hang in there🤗

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    • Oh, I’m so glad you’ve had a mild Winter, Lynn (except for the past week). Last year, ours was mild too, and until this month, this year wasn’t too awful…..we had some cold days, but some not so cold days mixed in to make it more tolerable. I think it is being stuck inside already with Covid and then adding the arctic blast to the mix that just made it seem so unbearable. I’m not sure which I’m most ready for: Spring or the vaccination!

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  26. I would call your post: Ann Colman’s lamentations about the ‘joys’ of winter. You sure have a knack for writing in colourful language, Ann. Have you ever considered writing a novel? Here in Canada, we are happy when winter yields to spring on March 21. We had one short cold snap. Rain is in the forecast for this week. What a crazy world we live in.

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    • Thanks for your kind words, Peter! I’ve actually written three children’s novels, but only sold one. I do love writing, and find that blogging is a great creative outlet. I’m glad you’re getting rain coming your way rather than ice and snow!

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    • I heard about that! I feel so sorry for the people in Texas, because those kind of temps are even harder to take when you don’t have the equipment to deal with them. It’d be like having a heat wave in Siberia, I think. I really hope relief is coming your way soon!

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  28. I love to read the different perspectives of winter depending on one’s location. Cold in Kentucky (-7 F) is a different temperature in northern Minnesota (-112 F below room temperature) parts of Texas pure ice and Tennessee a foot of snow with the cold. A common theme though…. “winter, go away!”

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    • You are so right! It’s all a matter of what we’re used to. I have a reader from Canada who said that he and his family went on a hike one day when the temps were 15 below zero! In that kind of cold, all I would want to do is stay inside, huddled next to the heating vent. But for him, that was warm enough for some outdoor family fun…..

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  29. Ann, I’m sorry but I can’t help feeling relieved to hear somebody else’s dog eats those frozen “treats” in the snow! My Sheltie Dallas used to, and it drove me nuts — worst of all, he’d wait until he saw me watching him, then start chomping away … like he was doing it on purpose to get my goat. I’m right there with you on winter. If it finished by Jan. 12, I’d be fine with that. Did you know there’s a special holiday called Hoodie-Hoo Day (http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/hoo.htm) designed to chase away winter? Maybe we ought to give it a try. Nothing to lose but our dignity, ha!!

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    • I know! Our old dog, Lucy, used to do that too, but only in the Winter when they were frozen. And I guess that Finn is “channeling” Lucy, because that’s exactly what Finn does as well. And thanks, I’ve never heard of that holiday, but I’m sure willing to give it a try! I’m DONE with Winter this year!

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  30. I feel the same way. Especially by late March and into April, when any snow still on the ground is dirty, or else muddy, it is damp and raw outside, and you are so desperate for spring. I can’t complain this year since we are in a warm place until the end of March. This year the coming of spring has even more importance as you say, allowing us to socialize outside again. And maybe by summer we will feel OK with inviting people inside.

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    • Oh, I really hope so, Meg! I don’t think we’ll survive another year like the past one, so things do need to get better soon. Here the snow is gone by March (we get the occasional snowfall in March but it melts very quickly), but we can still get some raw and wet days until May. I’m really hoping we have an early, and mild, Spring. We all need it!

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  32. Oh, I needed to read this right now. I’m looking out the windows and more snow is coming down. I am so sick and tired of winter. I dislike winter intensely and every year I try to remind myself that when spring finally comes – here it’s not until the beginning of May – it’s so beautiful that I decide the winter was worth it. But that’s only after it’s done and gone. Your descriptions and details of the horrors of winter are so right on. Just thinking of those daffodil bulbs starting to work their magic supposedly deep down in the soil. 🙏💙

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    • I know I’m lucky that Spring arrives in early April here (usually, we have had snow on Easter!), because I’m always so very ready for it. And yes, it does help to know that the bulbs are going to bloom eventually. When they do, it always cheers me up so much!

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  33. In Oregon we don’t get much of a winter, Ann. We had our first snow in a few years. It lasted a few days and melted as the rain returned. I enjoyed it, but of course it had little impact on my daily life. My heart goes out to those who are suffering from these cold storms. I too look forward to spring!

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    • Those are the best kind of snowstorms! The ones that melt off very quickly. We often get those in March, and they’re gorgeous…for about a day, and then they go away. I also feel so very sorry for the people down South, especially, in Texas, because they are really suffering. It’s so much harder when it hits in areas that aren’t used to coping with it and don’t have the equipment they need!

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  34. I love the winter, but I am talking about California winter. 🙂 It is not even close, I know.
    I really hope those who are suffering due to the winter storm, get some respite soon.

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    • I bet I could like a California winter too! But I shouldn’t complain too much, because Missouri Winters are so much milder than the ones they get in, say, Maine or Minnesota. And yes, I hope all the people down south get some relief soon. They need it.

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  35. I like winter, usually. Although I understand why people don’t, especially this year. It’s one thing to engage with the beauty of winter while inside a warm house, and an entirely different one to become tangled in its icy grip against your will. What a situation in Texas!

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    • I know! That’s what happens when it get so cold in a climate that doesn’t regularly experience that sort of thing. We were in Florida during a cold snap once, and it was awful. Our rental house never did warm up properly, and the poor iguanas kept freezing and falling out of trees!

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  37. As a Yankee from Penna, my memories focus on the few, really beautiful winter days nestled amongst the gloomy, damp, bone-aching majority of winter days. I LOVE FLORIDA with all the mosquitos, alligators and rednecks. Great English usage, Ann.

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    • Thanks, Larry! I’m loving Florida more with each passing year. Honestly, sometimes I think if I didn’t have so many friends and family in St. Louis, I’d just move there and be done with it. As it is, we visit as often as we can, especially in the Winter!

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  38. I live in a different part of the country so I love winter. I get sad when it goes. I hate the heat and the long bright days. Seems like I am just settling in and enjoying the winter – our hills are even green! And now the daylight is hanging around longer and the temps are getting warmer . . . oh well . . .

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  39. I do miss four seasons, but not the snow so much, well not the snow after the first one or two falls. My daughter lives in Alabama, and they got snow this past week, which doesn’t happen very often. She was ecstatic and then it was gone by that evening. I think I could handle that. Sorry about the freezing temperatures and accumulations, and hope Spring arrives soon!

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    • Yes, I love watching the snow fall in big flakes! But after it’s on the ground for a day or so, I’m ready for it to melt and go away. I don’t mind the snow and cold coming, I think, I just get resentful when it stays. Luckily, Spring is on the horizon, and tomorrow our temperatures are supposed to get above freezing!

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    • Cold and wet days can be hard to bear too, so I feel your pain. I do hope that you’ll get some much needed sunshine this Spring. Is your normal weather pattern rainy, the way it is in England? In the States, we have several different climate, but the Pacific Northwest is known for lots of rain and cloudy days.

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  43. I never tire of your seasonal observations, Ann. This time is different though. With the continuing pandemic restrictions, and promise of a vaccine and return to normal life, I am looking forward to the coming spring and summer more than ever this year. As far as the snow and cold are concerned, I agree, it is time for winter to leave town!

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    • I know what you mean, because I feel the same way! I want my life back, which means I want to get the vaccination and I want the warmer temps to come so we can be with friends outside. It’s been a long, hard, year and I think all of us are just ready for it to be over. But there is hope on the horizon, and that helps. I don’t qualify for the vaccine until they open it up to everyone (always nice to be in the same group that includes ax murderers and child molesters…LOL!) but my husband got his second shot today. And that is worth celebrating!!!

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      • That’s wonderful, Ann! After a warm spell we’re back to winter here! But at least there are a couple of spring flowers to be seen too, and that gives hope for better times ahead. 😉

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  45. Hi Ann…I so GET IT!! I don’t miss winter AT ALL! In fact, it is only in the 60’s here today and in my head I hear, “It’s too cold to go for a walk!” I’m certain I will go, but I will be bundled up 😉
    Hope you are well…and hope that you have warmer weather on the horizon. Sending lots of love and light!

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