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| A cinema classic: The Wizard of Oz (MGM image found on fanpop.com) |
That's what the Cowardly Lion says to his companions after snowflakes wake him from a enchanted poppy field-induced nap alongside the yellow brick road in the 1939 MGM film "The Wizard of Oz." And that was also the topic of discussion on my friend Jen's blog a couple of days ago: Where is winter?
The winter of 2010-2011 saw record snowfall across the nation (and, if I remember correctly, the winter of 2009-2010 wasn't wimpy, either). There was so much of the white stuff that there was no place to put it. Now, here we are at winter's mid-point and it's unseasonably warm and there hasn't been much snow to speak of. And people are not happy about it.
As I commented on my friend's blog, I don't require a typical frigid or snowy winter to break up the seasons for me because I used to live much further south and, aside from an occasional hard freeze, never had any reason to celebrate the seasons.
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| Backyard shot from winter of 2010 (not as bad as 2011) |
From the time of my birth in 1953 up until I moved north in 1986, I had a total of three interactions with snow and freezing temperatures (not counting opening the refrigerator). But I now realize that people have an affection for this time of year. Why, however, is a mystery to me. This used to be a time of hardship, starvation and death for many (and, for some, it still is).
So I started poking around on the Internet to see what people had to say about the seasons. Here's what I discovered: Some love winter because of skiing, sledding, snow-mobile riding and snowball fights; others love it (mostly women!) for the wardrobe opportunities. Many said they did indeed love winter - but hated the cold! - and there were a few who explained that winter's chill made them feel renewed and refreshed. There you have it.
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| 2011 (drift caused by snowplow) |
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| 2011 (One car dug out, one car to go) |
My conclusion: Sure, we need a little winter weather in order for some things to die off and then regenerate themselves (actually and metaphorically) so, okay, that's fine and dandy. So be it..
I'm sorry there hasn't been much snow this year. I feel badly that it isn't cold enough for some of you. For me, any amount of cold weather equals winter, period. But I am an anomaly, an outsider, a stranger in a strange land... even after a decade or two!
This week's controversy: Pennsylvania's Puxatawney Phil saw his shadow and forecast six more weeks of winter. However, Dunkirk Dave and Staten Island Chuck predicted an early spring because no shadow was seen.
Sigh. Que sera, sera, whatever will be, will be. Enjoy... whatever!
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| Florida Wildflower Festival - 2008 |
(all photos except top: TJBGoogins - all rights reserved)
