Confession time. When a brisk, cool breeze pushed its way through my part of the world this morning, I tingled. Not because I was cold, but because I was filled with joy. And dare I say it aloud? I’m a hater. A heat hater. I’m not a fan of summertime weather. There. I've said it. Most of my life I have been retreating inside as soon as the mercury approaches eighty degrees. Well, that’s not entirely true. My sisters will tell you that I’m inside no matter what the temperature, but that’s another story.
As someone who was born and raised at the 44th parallel, I’m well aware of the change of seasons. I know what it’s like to tromp around in a hay field in ninety degree weather with only the singing grasshoppers enjoying the day. I’ve been caught in snowstorms with my fingers gripping like crab claws on the steering wheel, hoping the direction I was going matched the road. I’ve listened to the twittering of birds as the tree buds emerged from their dormant branches. I’ve watched the colors of fall burst forth with breath taking grandeur. I know the difference between cool and warm fronts and it’s the cool fronts that I live for (thank you, Canada).
I’m pretty sure that we are born with a propensity toward one group or the other. I don’t ever remember being enthralled with the summer months; whereas, my sister could not get enough of the warm outdoors (I still think one of us was switched at birth). As a kid, I tried to find ways to stay occupied in the house during the summer while my sister scampered outside at first light. Many years later, I am still most likely found reading a book in July while my sis zips around on a motorcycle, geocaching to her heart’s content. I’m Tundra, she’s Jamaica.
I’ve put together a little guide to help you discern the difference between the two groups of people. (Just in case one of them is lurking in a neighborhood near you.)
Tundras
· Love goose bumpy weather
· Rejoice in cool fronts
· Get benout (Dutch slang for crabby) when it gets warm
· Keep their window shades pulled during the summer
· Avoid outdoor concerts
· Believe air conditioners are the greatest inventions ever
· Look albinoish without the pink eyes
· Endure July and August
Jamaicans
· Love warm weather
· Migrate south whenever possible
· Own lots of T-shirts and flip flops
· Enjoy deck furniture
· Loathe snow
· Dream of lake homes
· Like sports involving greenery
· Celebrate July and August
As I brush up against the age of retirement, I am struck by the fact that the Tundras are in a bit of a quandary. Where do we go if we want a change of scenery? We certainly don’t think about moving south for the winter. Shuffleboard and golf carts are probably not in our future. Alligators and rattlesnakes won’t be our neighbors. Pool parties will not be on our invitations.
Anyone know of a golden age community in the Yukon Territory?
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