You Can Keep the Cold
In response to Cold Weather vs. Hot Weather
by Adrienne Amos
This is an easy debate for me. I am a “sun worshipper” from way back. Born and raised in Michigan, I thrived on the summers, but didn’t really realize how much I disliked the winters until I moved to Texas. What a wonderful feeling to be able to go to the pool and enjoy it in the middle of winter.
Since then I have lived in the Mid-West again, the Pacific Northwest, and sunny Florida. I may have been born a Yankee, but there is no doubt in my mind that the Southerner climate is where I belong.
Snow is beautiful for Christmas cards and movies, but that’s it. I really want no part of it otherwise. There are rare times when I miss it all (Christmas Eve usually), but then I see the news of people trying to dig out from a blizzard and thank God I’m here.
Nowadays I am freezing when the temperature dips below 72° and ready to hibernate if it gets to 60°. Come summer when others are melting in the 90°+ temperatures, I am in my glory. For those who bemoan the heat I’m more than willing to let them know that I75 goes north.
Driving is a pleasure when the sun is shining and the roads are free of ice and snow. Even the rain here is normally considerate enough not to last over two or three hours per day (reminding me why I was so glad to leave the Pacific Northwest with its constant drizzle). Of course, no climate is perfect so there are days when even Florida’s weather does not cooperate with me, but on the whole I love it—it’s warm, warmer, and warmest degrees suit me just fine.
Photograph by Ryan Rigby. Some rights reserved.
Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the air-conditioning upon occasion when I have to dress-up for something important and don’t want those nasty, tell-tale sweat stains, but even then a moderate 78° suits me just fine. I am more inclined to get out and enjoy all that nature has to offer if it’s warmer. Even staying in shape is easier for me when the temperature goes above 80°. 88° and above really makes me shine.
So thank you very much, but you can keep your cold weather up north. I’m reluctant to go north of the Florida border after November 1st for that very reason. Give me HOT, HOT, and HOT!
